posted on January 13, 2011 22:51
The office building at 717 Texas in downtown Houston has become the first Texas skyscraper to achieve LEED Platinum certification for existing buildings from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The 33-story tower owned by Hines was the first downtown office building to receive LEED certification from the council when it was awarded a Silver certification in early 2009.
Houston-based Hines made additional sustainable upgrades to the 696,000-square-foot building and sought recertification as LEED Platinum. Hines was successful in earning the designation with the help of Houston architecture firm Kirksey.
Improvements from the building’s previous Silver certification included an Energy Star rating boost; increased waste diversion rates; further reductions in potable water use inside the building; zero potable water use for exterior landscaping; and improvements in green cleaning products and practices.
A joint venture between Hines and Prime Asset Management developed the building in 2003. It was designed by HOK Inc. and Kendall Heaton Associates Inc.
1/13/11, Houston Business Journal