One World Trade Center receives LEED Gold certification

The Durst Organization, New York City, and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced that One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the western hemisphere, has achieved the rating of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold v2.0 by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

One World Trade Center was awarded the LEED Gold v2.0 rating for its standards across multiple categories, including energy, water, lighting, materials, transportation, air quality and people. The 3 million-square-foot office tower is more than 70 percent leased.

Among many positive attributes contributing to the office tower’s LEED Gold certification, the USGBC noted that One World Trade Center:

• uses materials chosen for their sustainability attributes, with more than 25 percent recycled content, 35 percent regional materials and 50 percent certified wood
• was designed to reduce its energy use 18.3 percent below the baseline
• met requirements for 50 percent potable water use reduction for irrigation through the use of drip irrigation and use of captured storm water for irrigation
• achieved aggressive lighting efficiency goals
• includes ventilation systems that perform well in excess of the minimum indoor air quality requirements, achieved through a substantial air filtration system installation that is above and beyond the base requirements

Anchored by global publishing company Condé Nast, One World Trade Center provides direct, weather-protected connections to 11 subway lines, the PATH train, and the Hudson River ferries. In addition, the West Concourse pedestrian walkway—which connects the World Trade Center campus to Brookfield Place and Battery Park City—now offers access to the newly opened World Trade Center Transportation Hub and to the entrance to One World Observatory. The building also provides access to dozens of retail shops being managed by Westfield, including restaurants and services, and the new MTA Fulton Transit Center on Broadway.