Why Green In New Jersey?

Today more than ever, corporations are seeking buildings that are operationally efficient as well as environmentally conscious. While sustainable buildings are more cost effective to maintain and operate, the healthier environment provided by air and water quality control, is also important to today’s leading corporations, as it directly impacts the health and wellness of their employees.

As part of our company’s overall commitment to sustainable development, SJP Properties is seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification from the US Green Building Council for all of our build-to-suit properties in New Jersey.

While all of our properties aim to achieve the highest levels of sustainability, each of them highlights a different aspect of our sustainability objectives. A greener approach is not a one-size fits all model. We have undertaken extensive reviews of our facilities and proposed projects and made the most sensible decisions for each individual property.

Hoboken – Location is ParamountAt our urban portfolio in Hoboken, location will be an important factor in achieving LEED Silver certification. Waterfront Corporate Center III, a 520,000-square-foot, 14-story office tower in Hoboken, will be one of the largest LEED-certified commercial developments in the state. Proximity to mass transit will help us achieve Silver certification at this building on the Hoboken waterfront. Once the building is complete, the Waterfront Corporate Center complex will include nearly 1.5 million square feet of class A commercial and retail space, featuring high-performance, energy efficient and environmentally responsible components.

In addition, the building will include high-efficiency, low-energy air conditioning equipment that utilizes environmentally friendly refrigerant gases, reducing ozone depletion and global warming. Systems for outside intake monitoring and increased air filtration from the top of the building will provide 30% more fresh, outdoor air than is required by international standards. Low-energy light fixtures and new lighting controls will help reduce energy costs and low night-light levels will reduce sky pollution, Low-flow plumbing fixtures will reduce water consumption. Recycled materials are planned for use in construction and the building will continue to reward green practices, offering preferred parking for low-emission and fuel-efficient vehicles.

Iselin – State-of-the-Art Design FeaturesWhile location was an important factor at Hobken, we wanted the building to represent a leap forward for commercial office buildings in New Jersey in terms of design, green features and highly efficient mechanical and electrical engineering systems. We have implemented similar state-of-the-art design features at Metropark Corporate Center in Iselin.

At Metropark, SJP Properties will offer efficient, advanced mechanical, electrical and telecommunications systems internally, as well as access to Metropark Train Station.

Central New Jersey – A New Standard of ExcellenceIn Somerset County, we have planned Somerset Corporate Center in Bridgewater and Mountain View Corporate Center in Bernards Township to be LEED certified. Both buildings will offer high-tech, headquarters-quality, class A office space with a wide range of amenities and executive offices.

In Parsippany, SJP Properties’ Morris Corporate Center continues to evolve. Morris Corporate Center is a master-planned 2.8-million-square-foot, seven-building office campus on 182 acres in Parsippany. The first two phases of the campus were completed in 1986, while the third and fourth were completed in 1989 and 2000, respectively. Three additional multi-building developments of 300,000 square feet in Morris Corporate Center V, 350,000 square feet in Morris Corporate Center VI and 150,000 square feet in Morris Corporate Center VII, are planned at the campus. New construction will feature the highest quality building materials and will seek LEED certification with operationally efficient mechanical systems and materials.

Times Square – The Gold StandardIn New York, we are developing 11 Times Square, a 40-story, 1.1 million-square-foot office tower, which is the largest new-construction commercial development project in midtown Manhattan. Eleven Times Square will be a LEED Gold certified tower. Eleven Times Square in is on-target to be delivered for tenant occupancy in 2010.

Ed Marcheses is the executive vice president at SJP Properties in Parsippany. The views expressed here are those of the author.