Oakland City Center Goes Greener

CB Richard Ellis Investors is proud to announce that five additional properties in the Oakland City Center complex have earned LEED certification from the US Green Building Council, making OCC amongst the greenest collection of office buildings in the Bay Area. 499 14^th Street and 500 12^th Street have both earned a LEED silver certification. 1300 Clay Street and 505 14^th Street are now both certified as LEED gold buildings. 501 14^th Street has also received LEED certification. These Class A properties join 555 12^th Street and 1111 Broadway, both previously LEED gold certified, in contributing to the availability of cleaner, healthier and more efficient office space in Oakland.

Established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is the leading-edge rating system certifying the greenest performing buildings in the world and the internationally recognized benchmark for sustainability. LEED certified buildings cost less to maintain and operate; are water and energy efficient; are safer and healthier for tenants; and have higher occupancy rates than conventional and comparable buildings.

"In addition to being the right thing to do for the environment, the changes instituted to earn LEED certification result in a greatly improved tenant experience,” said Michael D. Keely, Senior Leasing Director for CB Richard Ellis at Oakland City Center. "Tenants will see lower operating costs due to increased energy efficiency practices, healthier indoor environments and increased employee productivity. The prestige that comes with earning this LEED certification projects a great image for tenants’ employees, clients and shareholders. We are very proud to have received these certifications.”

"CB Richard Ellis Investors’ decision to pursue LEED certification for the buildings that comprise the Oakland City Center demonstrates its commitment to improving environmental conditions not just for tenants, but for the public at large,” said Dan Geiger, the Executive Director for USGBC’s Northern California Chapter. "I congratulate the firm for this achievement.”

Located at 500 12^th Street in the heart of downtown Oakland, Oakland City Center Plaza is easily accessible by BART at its 12^th Street/Oakland City Center Station. For additional information about Oakland City Center, call their office at 510-628-9170 or visit their website at www.oaklandcitycenter.com.