Skanska USA undertook an extensive build-out of their flagship New York City office in 2008 by moving to a new space that focused on energy efficiency and sustainability. This resulted in a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum rating, the first for Skanska offices in the United States, and the first of any office space in the Empire State Building (ESB).
Skanska's objective for expansion of its new space was to achieve a LEED Platinum rating, the highest level LEED certification the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) awards for green commercial interiors. The goal was to offset the higher initial cost of building to the LEED Platinum level (compared to a traditional Class A office space) with an estimated 30 percent annual energy savings over the 15-year lease. Many ESB central system building improvements provide tenant benefits, and Skanska realized that situating their offices in the ESB would help them achieve their energy savings and rating goals more quickly.
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