The Greer Business Center at 104 Trade, in historic downtown Greer announced today that it has been awarded LEED® Certification, established by the U.S. Green Building Council, and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
“We are extremely pleased to announce the achievement and acceptance of 104 Trade as a LEED Certified building in Greer, South Carolina,” said Russ Braasch, President, Braasch Building Group. “All parties involved – from the contractors and engineers, to the city and surrounding businesses – put forth a cooperative effort to support us in accomplishing this goal, and we hope it adds an architectural feature to a community with so much growth and exciting new ventures ongoing already. At our onset, one of our core values has been to promote sustainable building practices in each of our projects. Achieving LEED Certification for 104 Trade is a statement of our commitment to this value, as well as to the community.”
First developed in the 1950’s as Miss Alta Cunningham’s Fine Ladies Clothing Store, Braasch Building Group gave new life to 104 Trade Street in Greer Station, Greer’s historic downtown, with the redevelopment of 104 Trade Street into a state-of-the-art, Class A office complex. Working in close coordination with Langley & Associates Architects through the design and planning process, the team eventually settled on constructing a shared office complex, aimed at reducing overhead expenses for participating businesses. The overall renovation process took two years to complete, as the team focused on restoring the historical appearance of the building, while introducing new, energy-efficient components that exceed today’s energy standards, in the shell of a building built in the 50’s. Now, after three years, and a substantial investment in Greer, the Greer Business Center at 104 Trade Street features well-appointed executive office suites with administrative support services, video conferencing capabilities, shared conference rooms, and business startup support.
“Greer is a progressive and vibrant community that has benefitted incredibly from big ideas, careful planning, consistent investment, and the cooperation of public-private partnerships working together,” said Larry Wilson, Chairman of Greer’s Partnership for Tomorrow – Progress in Motion. “Russ Braasch and the redevelopment of 104 Trade Street as a LEED Certified building represent a new generation of Greer community leadership that is dedicated, has great community vision, and possess the unique ability to work cooperatively to continue to grow the Greer community.”
The Greer Business Center achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.
“The green building movement offers an unprecedented opportunity to respond to the most-important challenges of our time, including global climate change, dependence on non-sustainable and expensive sources of energy and threats to human health,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The work of innovative building projects such as The Greer Business Center is a fundamental driving force in the green building movement.”
LEED certification of The Greer Business Center was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:
- Community Redevelopment
- Re-uses structures already in place.
- Reduces new impacts to green space.
- Close proximity to “basic services” reduces daily travel distances.
- Water Efficiency
- Received “Innovation in Design” Credit for more than a 40% reduction in water usage over the baseline.
- Energy & Atmosphere
- Over 17% reduction in energy use through the use of high efficiency heating & cooling equipment, low voltage lighting, new energy conserving glazing, reflective roof covering, etc.
- Materials & Resources
- Over 90% of all construction waste recycled.
- Utilized local construction materials to reduce delivery distances.
- Wood framing certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC), a governing body created to support sustainable forestry practices and conservation.
- Re-used existing building components to reduce the amount of new construction materials required, and their associated waste.
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Developed and executed an Indoor Air Quality Plan for the construction period, as well as Pre- and Post- construction, to reduce contaminants and particles in the air that present health risks.
- Utilized low-emitting adhesives and sealants throughout construction.
- High Level of control for thermal and lighting systems increase end-user control and comfort.
U.S. Green Building Council
The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.
With a community comprising 80 local affiliates, more than 18,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 167,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.
Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.
LEED
The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. Over 100,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED rating systems, comprising over 8 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 114 countries.
By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.
USGBC was co-founded by current President and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, who spent 25 years as a Fortune 500 executive. Under his 15-year leadership, the organization has become the preeminent green building, membership, policy, standards, influential, education and research organization in the nation.
For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.
For more information about The Greer Business Center at 104 Trade Street, please contact Russ Braasch at 864-469-7311 or visit www.104trade.com.
For more information on Greer Station, Greer’s Hip and Historic Downtown, please visit their website.