Despite Tough Office Leasing Market, This Green Building is 100% Leased
A building owner who wants to go green in the biggest way goes for the gold—Gold LEED Certification, that is. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council is the industry standard for maintaining and legitimizing sustainable design practices. Only a few Central Florida buildings have reached Gold LEED Status. The new Maitland Summit III office building designed by HuntonBrady Architects hopes to become one of the elite local buildings whose business occupants work in an engaging and energy-efficient space. It has already impressed prospective tenants; the building is 100% leased despite a tough office leasing market nationwide.
Located in Maitland, Florida, in the Maitland Summit Office Park, the Summit III building is a 230,000 sf, seven story Class A office building specifically designed to meet LEED Gold standards. It is oriented on the site for pond and natural conservation views to 80% of the occupants. A two-story, granite clad grand lobby that greets occupants and is comprised of a 28 foot high structural glass wall that seamlessly integrates the lakefront patio with the atrium lobby. Original artwork by Angelina Gualdoni and Claire Sherman adorn the lobby.
Building amenities include a fitness center with showers and locker rooms, café with exterior dining patio, 50% covered structured parking and bicycle storage.
The building’s exterior is composed of architectural precast concrete wall panels and glass curtain walls. From the beginning, owner and architect were committed to obtaining LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Sustainable features include:
- High performance, low-e double paned window glazing allows an abundance of natural light while reducing heat load
- A white roof reduces heat island effect, and increased roof insulation and high performance HVAC equipment reduce electrical consumption by 18%
- High efficiency touchless plumbing fixtures reduce water usage by 49% and prevent the spread of germs
- Drought tolerant landscaping
- Over 90% construction waste was diverted from a landfill and recycled
- Locally sourced or recycled content materials
- Reduced light pollution via shielded exterior light fixtures
“Maitland Summit III is descriptive of the 21st Century technologically advanced office building,” said Steve Belflower, AIA, architect and Principal with HuntonBrady Architects. “The entire building is connected to an Embarq fiber optic sonet for superior data and communication. Building access is secured and a touchstone directory is located in the lobby. We incorporated a building automation system that can control the HVAC, lighting, carbon dioxide levels, humidity levels and energy usage. We can use that data as a tool for reducing power needs.”