We rarely deep-dive into the commercial real estate universe of Greater Boston, but some news that skittered across the always-discreet Curbed Boston Tipline grabbed us by both lapels: the 100,000-square-foot office complex at 450 Artisan Way in busy, busy Assembly Row has been certified as Somerville's first-ever LEED Gold office building.
What does that mean, exactly? Take it away, U.S. Green Building Council: "LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. To receive LEED certification, building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification." The building at 450 Artisan Way scored high enough to be considered Gold, then, just below the top Platinum level.
How'd it do that? According to developer Federal Realty Investment Trust, the building has flourishes such as using renewable energy sources; a partially green roof; and easy access for bicyclists. The developer also used recycled materials in 450 Artisan Way's construction.
Now if only Federal Realty could sign some tenants: The address was constructed on spec—in other words, with no space leased up front. Something tells us, though, that Assembly Row will prove a powerful enough draw, however green the building.
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