Opus Northwest Management, L.L.C. achieved a first for Minnesota when its Crescent Ridge Corporate Center I in Minnetonka, Minn., received LEED-EB Gold certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings) for a multi-tenant building from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED-EB recognizes that the management of the property has committed to ongoing and continuous measurement and documentation of its operational effectiveness while minimizing the environmental impacts of the property.

 

Crescent Ridge Corporate Center I totals 265,489 square feet of rentable office space that, because of Opus’ commitment to sustainable property management practices, emits 50 percent less carbon emissions than standard buildings and is the first multi-tenant property in Minnesota to receive LEED-EB.

 

“We’re hopeful that our efforts to achieve this standard are trend setting for property managers in Minnesota and across the nation,” said Mike Dwyer, senior vice president and national director of Property Management for the Opus Group. “Crescent Ridge is a testament to Opus’ dedication to sustainability and making a positive difference with our properties, and it will be the gold standard that guides our practices as we continue to focus on sustainable property management.”

 

Opus Northwest Management implements continuous sustainability improvement practices because, according to USGBC, buildings account for 72 percent of electricity consumption and 39 percent of energy use.

 

To minimize negative environmental effects, maximize the building’s operational performance and achieve long-term cost savings, sustainable practices drive Crescent Ridge’s building operations. These practices include: 1) green cleaning and sustainable purchasing; 2) construction waste reduction and recycling; 3) alternative transportation and commuting programs; 4) reducing indoor water use by 33 percent over basic LEED requirements; and 5) achievement of an Energy Star rating of 91, which correlates to a 50 percent reduction in emissions compared to the average building.

 

“Today’s tenants have a growing preference for building’s that operate in a responsible and sustainable manner,” said Marc Nanne with Hoyt Properties. “They are increasingly aware of the importance of sustainable operations for many reasons, including the health and productivity of their employees and client acceptance. It is good for the environment as well as their bottom line. We think this certification places Crescent Ridge ahead of our competitors,” he said. Nanne is the leasing agent for Crescent Ridge and Camilla Gunderson is senior property manager for Opus.

 

Currently, Opus Property Management oversees 220 properties totaling 35 million square feet of space across the country. Opus’ portfolio includes more than 3 million square feet of LEED-certified projects; in addition, more than 150 Opus employees have achieved LEED accreditation. Leonardo Academy, a pioneer in the field of LEED EB, was the acting LEED consultant for the Crescent Ridge project.

 

The Opus Group, a group of independent operating companies, is a full-service real estate development company with 55 years of experience. Opus is recognized as a national leader in office, industrial, retail, multifamily, government and institutional development and has offices across the United States and in Canada. Committed to creating great real estate, Opus implements best practices in sustainable design and construction to maximize building performance and reduce environmental impact. A community steward since its inception, the Opus Group is committed to the long-term development of people and communities by contributing 10 percent of its pre-tax profits to community organizations. For more information, visit www.opuscorp.com.