Parmenter’s Buildings in Houston Awarded Prestigious Green Building Certifications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Media Relations
Telephone: (305) 379-7500
Email: mediarelations@parmco.com

Parmenter’s Buildings in Houston Awarded Prestigious Green Building Certifications

MIAMI, Fla., December 2, 2015 – Parmenter is pleased to announce that two of its buildings in Houston, Texas have been awarded green building certifications. Westchase Park Plaza on 111490 Westheimer, earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR® Certification for the first time with a score of 97, and Brookhollow I at Brookhollow Central on 2900 North Loop West, achieved LEED® Gold for Core & Shell Development.

“Parmenter is pleased to accept EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification for Westchase Park Plaza in recognition of our energy efficiency efforts at this property,” said Steve Harrison, Managing Director Sustainability and Facilities at Parmenter. “The company is committed to environmental stewardship while also lowering energy costs throughout its portfolio.”

Westchase Park Plaza was purchased by Parmenter in June 2013. Occupancy at the property had dropped to 39.1% leased, as the property had been neglected for years with equipment either underperforming or not working at all. To achieve ENERGY STAR certification a property must have an average occupancy above 50% for over one year. Parmenter implemented a major building improvement and repositioning campaign and took the following actions to earn ENERGY STAR rating of 97, including but not limited to:
Refurbished or installed new mechanical equipment including new chillers, pumps and VFD’s
Installed a new ENERGY STAR roof
New variable domestic water system
New cooling towers, air compressor and EMS
Elevator modernization
These improvements and a robust marketing plan enabled Parmenter to raise occupancy to almost 80% within a short time after completion of the improvements.

“Equally exciting is the LEED Gold certification of Brookhollow I,” said Josh Hedderich, Senior Vice President of Asset Management at Parmenter. “It is our first LEED certification in the Core & Shell Development category, and is a great addition to other buildings in our portfolio that are LEED EB+OM and LEED Commercial Interiors certified. Each new addition serves as a testament of the diversity of Parmenter’s capabilities.”

Parmenter implemented the following programs at Brookhollow Central I to achieve the LEED Gold certification, including but not limited:
New chiller, AHU’s, outside air system, now electrical system and controls
Elevator modernization
Capital improvements in the lobby and common areas utilizing sustainable products and design
LEED for Core & Shell is used for projects in which the developer controls the design and construction of the entire core and shell base building (e.g., mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems) but has no control over the design and construction of the tenant fit-out.
“The green building movement offers an unprecedented opportunity to respond to the most important challenges of our time, including climate change, dependence on non-sustainable and expensive sources of energy and threats to human health,” said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “The work of innovative companies like Parmenter is a fundamental driving force in the green building movement.”

In addition, Brookhollow Central has had a really good ENERGY STAR score for a number of years, and achieved another ENERGY STAR certification this year with a score of 80. To date, Parmenter has 17 LEED, 16 ENERGY STAR, and 15 BOMA 360 certified properties, and has won a total of 56 TOBY Awards.

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For more information on this topic please contact Parmenter Media Relations by calling (305) 379-7500 or via e-mail at MediaRelations@parmco.com.