Green-building advocates take the LEED

Many four-letter words are being tossed around these torturous days in the world of commercial real estate.

Only one would not offend the polite police. It is, however, prompting considerable debate within companies and among property owners.

That word: LEED, for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Since its debut by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2000, LEED has rapidly become the rating standard by which green-building advocates measure commitment to the cause. As "going green" has evolved from a fringe lifestyle choice to a widespread initiative, even at work, the pressure has grown for building owners to at least consider LEED certification.

So landlords crunch numbers and evaluate operations to assess whether a LEED rating - from simple certification to silver, gold or platinum, the highest level - is worth the cost and effort.

For cash-squeezed commercial-property owners, never have those calculations been so important. With the recession, landlords are struggling to retain tenants and make mortgage payments as demand for office space - and, consequently, rental income - has dropped.

Then again, green-building advocates contend the time is fast approaching when not having a LEED-certified building could hamper a landlord's efforts to attract tenants.

View Full Article by Diane Mastrull