Best practices in high-performance office development: the Duke Energy Center in Charlotte, North Carolina

LEED certification has emerged as the standards of excellence in many office markets across the US because the principles of sustainable development are closely aligned with the requirements for Class A assets. These high-performance buildings are often the most prestigious in their markets and compete for prospective tenants by not only offering operational efficiencies and an attractive work environment, but also by providing tenants with a means of demonstrating their commitment to environmental conservation. The latter of these objectives has become increasingly important as a result of the corporate social responsibility movement and the resulting pressure placed on companies to evaluate their performance using economic, social and environmental measures of success. Before discussing the Duke Energy Center in detail, it is useful to consider the potential effects of LEED certification on upfront construction costs and future revenues. These economic factors have become easier to evaluate over time as the number of buildings carrying the certification has grown.