- Renovation of 1920s building to LEED® Gold certification.
- Energy Star score of 96, in the top 4% of US office buildings.
- Demand for ‘green’ building resulted in occupancy increase from 68% to over 90%; rents increased 10%.
The 14-storey, 137,350ft2 Vance Building has been a landmark in downtown Seattle since it was constructed in 1929. Jonathan Rose Companies purchased the building in 2006, with the intent to make it the greenest and healthiest building in the city.
Arup was initially contracted to work on the façade and preliminary mechanical, electrical, and plumbing renovation strategies for the building. The firm’s scope grew to advising the owner on sensible, cost-effective green building strategies.
Arup analysed the existing building to gain an understanding of its original design, as well as ad hoc modifications to air conditioning, windows and lighting.
Green building certification
By implementing a number of changes to the building and its systems, including restoring some of the 1929 design, the Vance building achieved LEED Existing Buildings Gold certification and an Energy Star rating of 96, putting it in the top 4% of all office buildings in the USA.
The demand for ‘green’ office space resulted in an increase in occupancy from 68% to over 90% afterwards, with a 10% increase in rents.
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