Skanska USA New York Office, Empire State Building - New York, N.Y.
Skanska USA was out to prove a point when it fit-out its new Manhattan offices. It wanted to show clients it could build a LEED Platinum office at a reasonable premium and produce long-term energy savings. And it managed to mark the feat in the landmark, 102-story Empire State Building.
The $4.6 million effort cost $210,000 more than a typical Class A office fit-out, a premium of less than 5%. And since opening the 24,400-sq-ft 32nd-florr office last year, Skanska’s energy expenses dropped 46%, which, extrapolated over the 15-year lease, would produce savings topping $550,000. All of that complemented earning 44 points on the 57-point LEED scale – enough for the highest rating, Platinum CI.