On March 4, Eastside’s
Borders Books building was awarded the LEED Core and Shell Gold Certification by the
U.S. Green Building Council. Borders joins the building anchored by
PNC Bank to become the second in Eastside to receive LEED certification.
“What’s really unique, is that this is Pittsburgh’s second LEED certification for core and shell, which is a new LEED product specifically geared toward developers building the shell and core for a tenant to move into. It provides a new tool in terms of market penetration and makes it easier for developers to get involved in this process,” says Rebecca Flora, with
Green Building Alliance. “This project is the cornerstone of a whole
green vision for East Liberty, so we can move from green buildings to green communities.”
Developed by
The Mosites Company, Eastside features pedestrian paths and stairways, ample bike racks, reduced parking, and retail entrances that are oriented to sidewalks. With support from LEED consultant
evolveEA, project architect
The Design Alliance developed sustainable design features such as a high-performance curtain wall system, enhanced insulation and a rainwater collection system.
The majority of Eastside's financing was provided by PNC Bank. “What's cool about this is that one of the tenants is PNC. They've been a national leader in terms of their commitment to green building—they have more green buildings than any other company in the country," says Flora.
Via its Green Building Loan fund, the
CL Fund contributed $1.7 million—the largest loan in its history—to Eastside, which is located at the intersection of Centre and S. Highland Aves.
Writer:
Jennifer BaronSource: Rebecca Flora, Green Building Alliance
Photograph copyright Jonathan Greene