Tech Insights

What does it take to pursue LEED certification?

Alexander Durst

Chief Development Officer and Principal, The Durst Organization

November 26, 2024

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The Durst Organization’s 13 million square feet of Class A office towers are certified LEED Gold or higher. The market recognizes the LEED brand. LEED certification is a way to address the tenant question: “Is this a sustainable building?”

At Durst, we approach sustainability through the following categories:

  • Optimizing energy efficiency.

  • Conserving and reusing water.

  • Providing superior indoor environmental quality, including filtered air.

  • Enhancing wellness and minimizing environmental impact with stringent vetting of all materials used in a building as well as waste reduction.

To achieve LEED certification, research the different LEED levels and criteria and develop a plan of action that will maximize your building’s efficiency as well as LEED certification points. Before developing your strategy to achieve LEED certification, an important first step is getting ownership, internal teams, and external consultants and partners aligned on this goal.

To get everyone on board, address the why: Why build sustainably and why seek LEED recognition for these efforts? At Durst, we have found very compelling reasons that show building and operating sustainably is the right thing to do for landlords and for the environment:

  • First, office tenants increasingly have ESG goals and reporting requirements. Locating in a sustainable building contributes to tenants achieving their goals.

  • Second, sustainability supports talent attraction and retention. Many employees are climate conscious and want to know that their employers are being sustainable.

  • Lastly, sustainability improves the occupant experience. The quality of the office environment directly correlates with productivity and performance.