News Ally Center Earns Energy Star Certification
Charlotte, NC – March 18, 2013 – Downtown Charlotte’s Ally Center was recently awarded the Environmental Protective Agency’s ENERGY STAR Certification in recognition of the building’s energy efficiency and sustainability efforts. Commercial buildings that earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification use an average of 35% less energy than typical buildings and release 35% less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Trinity Partners’ Director of Operations, Jay Coombs (LEED AP BD + C), Chief Engineer Shane Woycik, and Property Manager Lauren Green managed the ENERGY STAR certification process and are currently overseeing the building’s application for LEED Existing Building certification by the United States Green Building Council.
“Because Ally Center was originally constructed under LEED NC Core and Shell standards, we had a great start on energy conservation for this project,” said Coombs. ”Our Property Management team has worked diligently to maintain the building operating parameters according to LEED standards, and this outstanding ENERGY STAR score validates their success and serves as an advantage when applying for the LEED Existing Building certification.”
Ally Center is well-known for its sustainability efforts. Developed in 2009 by Charlotte’s Trinity Capital Advisors, Ally Center was North Carolina’s first LEED Gold Core and Shell office building. The LEED Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for evaluating sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere efficiency, material and resource selection and indoor environmental quality.
The 15-story, 365,000 square foot office tower is home to several high-profile businesses and headquarters, including Ally Bank, HDR Engineering, Jeld-Wen, and Driven Brands. The building is also home to two restaurants: HaSaki Grill and American Roadside Burgers, and Just Fresh will open in spring of this year. Ally Center is positioned in the heart of downtown’s arts and cultural district, next door to Romare Bearden Park (set to open in mid-June) and BB&T Stadium, opening for the 2014 AAA baseball season. The building is owned by Trinity Capital Advisors and Principal Global Investors. The building, leased by Trinity Partners’ Leah Bailey, SIOR, and John Ball, is 86% leased.