Reconstruction & Renovation

Ongoing retro-commissioning helps Coral Gables, Fla., high-rise earn LEED Gold

A 13-story, 231,000 sf multi-tenant office building with first floor retail tenants in Coral Gables, Fla., has received LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for existing buildings after a retrofit. Built in 1974, 255 Alhambra Circle achieved the certification due to: • An ongoing retro-commissioning plan to continually test, verify, and improve the overall efficiency of the building. • Water efficiency gains by utilizing low flush toilets and urinals.
Dec. 26, 2012

A 13-story, 231,000 sf multi-tenant office building with first floor retail tenants in Coral Gables, Fla., has received LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for existing buildings after a retrofit. Built in 1974, 255 Alhambra Circle achieved the certification due to:

• An ongoing retro-commissioning plan to continually test, verify, and improve the overall efficiency of the building.

• Water efficiency gains by utilizing low flush toilets and urinals.

• A comprehensive policy with guidelines for purchasing energy-efficient office electronics, furniture that meets sustainable material requirements, and light bulbs that contain low or no mercury.

• A high performance green cleaning program, ensuring no high hazard chemicals are used to improve indoor environmental quality.

• Comprehensive and ongoing tenant engagement program.

• 77% of the building’s parking is underground, therefore reducing the heat island effect.

(http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2012/12/03/255-alhambra-gets-leed-gold.html)

About the Author

Drew Ballensky

Drew Ballensky is general manager of Duro-Last Roofing, Inc.’s central U.S. facility in Iowa and company spokesman for Duro-Last’s cool roofing, sustainability and architectural education programs. He is past-president of the Chemical Fabrics and Film Association and chairman of CFFA’s Vinyl Roofing Division. Drew earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from the University of Northern Iowa and master’s degree in business administration from Florida State University. Drew has over 29 years experience in business and industry in various engineering and managerial capacities. He has worked in the U.S. and Canadian operations for a major international manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings, was a financial analyst with a major athletic apparel manufacturer and was an owner of a general contracting company.
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