Bridge Investment Group’s (Bridge) commercial brokerage subsidiary Bridge Commercial Real Estate (BCRE) announced today that 10 West End, an 11-story, 343,000-square-foot Class A office building located in St. Louis Park, Minnesota near Minneapolis, has been awarded LEED v4.1 O+M Gold status. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence and sustainability. Bridge has maintained the requirements of design, construction and operations practices that improve environmental and human health to achieve one of the industry’s most respected certifications.
10 West End achieved LEED certification after successfully implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions in areas including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Green buildings allow companies to operate more sustainably and give the people inside them a healthier, more comfortable space to work.
The incorporation of green building methods by BCRE is both financially and environmentally beneficial. LEED buildings have reported almost 20 percent lower maintenance costs than typical commercial buildings. Through sustainable design, construction and operations, 10 West End and other LEED certified buildings are reducing carbon emissions, conserving water, prioritizing safer materials and lowering exposure to toxins.
“Achieving LEED certification is more than just implementing sustainable practices. It represents a commitment to making the world a better place and influencing others to do better,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO, USGBC. “Given the extraordinary importance of climate protection and the central role buildings play in that effort, Bridge is creating a path forward through its LEED certification.”
LEED was designed to revolutionize buildings and communities by providing everyone with access to healthy, green and high performing buildings. LEED provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building strategies for all building types from commercial buildings to hospitals, schools, offices and even entire neighborhoods.
“We are thrilled to receive LEED v4.1 O+M Gold status for one of the premier buildings in our office portfolio,” said Isela Rosales, managing director and head of ESG and sustainability. “Bridge continues to prioritize the sustainability of our office communities through thoughtful design and programming that promote productivity and a brighter future for the next generation of workers. Our tenants and stakeholders value ESG initiatives now more than ever, and our achievement of LEED Gold status from the USGBC for 10 West End solidifies our commitment to both.”
“Today’s workforce is cognizant of the importance a healthy work environment has on professional development and productivity, with clear expectations that the places and spaces they work in are environmentally friendly and align with ESG principles,” said Jeff Shaw, CEO of Bridge Commercial Real Estate. “We are pleased that USGBC recognizes the efforts Bridge has made to achieve the high standards our tenants at 10 West End have come to expect. This serves as yet another differentiator for the property, which has established itself as a hub for top talent in the surrounding market.”
Certification is proof that buildings are going above and beyond to ensure the space is constructed and operated to the highest level of sustainability. More than 185,000 commercial and institutional projects are currently participating in LEED, worldwide representing 28 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and more than 185 countries and territories.
For more information on the USGBC and the LEED, please click here.