I was recently asking a friend at a commercial real estate brokerage company about trends in his industry.  He launched into a heavy discussion about ‘going green’. 

In just a few years, he indicated that building green has gone from a concept shared by a few developers to a much more mainstream concept in the commercial real estate business.  Tenants have been demanding energy efficient space, and sustainable facilities, while owner/landlords have focused on improving building standards to keep pace with environmental innovations. 

As various green projects come on line, a new generation of industrial buildings is being constructed.  The standard landscaping features such as grass berms are being replaced by bioswales, which are drainage systems that retain water onsite.  French drains, which reduce water discharge into public sewer systems, are also a new sustainable feature for these buildings. 

On the inside of these structures, you find clerestory glass which provides ambient lighting and requires less energy.  The design also tries to use daylight through the strategic placement of windows and skylights to capture natural light.  Recycled carpet is also becoming commonplace.  Developers are also using non-volatile organic chemical-emitting paints and finishes, and energy efficient mechanical systems. 

On the other hand, my friend made it clear that all of these green approaches and components cost the developer and owners extra money.  It is yet to be proven that these innovations can be recovered from an increase in tenant rents.  It remains to be seen if tenants will place a premium on such facilities for their work environment and their co-workers.  Perhaps going green will lead to less tenant turnover, and reduced workforce health costs as well as other long term benefits. 

On the residential side, I’ve included a great article in this summer’s Fairweather Report about the effects of “going green” in your own home.

Have you made any changes in your home to make it “greener”? Let us know, you could be featured in our fall edition of The Fairweather Report! 

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