DENVER, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- 1800 Larimer, the Denver Central Business District's first high-rise office in more than 25 years, has been awarded LEED Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Westfield Company, Inc. announced today. The certification makes 1800 Larimer one of the first high-rise office buildings in the United States and the largest west of the Mississippi River to receive LEED Platinum status - the highest awarded. In addition, the property is the first building in Colorado to be awarded LEED Platinum certification based on the LEED Core/Shell version 2.0, which has more stringent requirements than earlier versions. Completed in May 2010, 1800 Larimer ushers in a new class of technologically-advanced 21st Century corporate office towers, employing state-of-the-art systems and design features, which provide a healthier, more productive business environment. It's also one of the largest office buildings begun and completed in the United States since the commercial real estate market crash of 2008. Developed by Westfield, designed by international architectural firm RNL, and built by Mortenson Construction, the 500,000-square-foot glass-clad high-rise offers a next generation business environment. The 22-story building is 80% leased and is the regional headquarters for Xcel Energy. Frederick Ross Company, Apartment Realty Advisors, Westfield Company and Citywide Banks are also tenants in the building. "1800 Larimer is a great addition to Denver's skyline and its LEED Platinum certification is a significant achievement, not only for Westfield, but also for Denver and the City's Greenprint program," said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. "The building will serve as a model for future development as demand for green buildings grows. It beautifully illustrates how tenants can save money on their utilities while reducing their environmental impact." Rich McClintock, Westfield's Chief Executive Officer, said: "1800 Larimer represents how leading edge building design can help create a healthful, high-performing, and environmentally-sound workplace - what most tenants will require in the future. Westfield is proud to have achieved the highest LEED certification and we believe that 1800 Larimer is the standard for next generation office buildings." David Eves, President and CEO of Public Service Co. of Colorado, Xcel Energy's operating company in the state, said: "We were able to consolidate three offices into the building, so there are definitely efficiencies for us. But the appeal of 1800 Larimer was also the prospect of moving into a LEED Platinum office tower. We wanted to have an office building and space that reinforces the environmental commitment that we have as a company, and we have achieved that." In addition to the LEED requirements, 1800 Larimer earned additional credits for offering new solutions and exemplary performance through the following achievements: -- Water-saving strategies reduce building water use by nearly 45%. -- 100% covered parking. -- Green housekeeping practices. McClintock added, "Not only is 1800 Larimer the most sustainable office building in Colorado, it also enjoys AAA amenities like concierge security and a hotel-style conference facility that accommodates nearly 300 people."
