SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (July 21, 2009) – Five Hillwood-developed buildings totaling more than 1.2 million square feet at Interchange Business Center in San Bernardino, Calif. have earned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This is the largest speculative industrial project in the U.S., one of the largest industrial projects in the country, and one of the largest overall projects in California to receive LEED certification.
The project also is the second in San Bernardino to receive LEED certification. In 2008 a 1,400 square-foot CFNA retail outlet was certified by the USGBC.
“Interchange Business Park’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Interchange Business Park serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish.”
The five speculative buildings, which were completed in 2008, range in size from 94,108 square feet to 448,108 square feet. Hillwood developed the project then later sold the five buildings to CB Richard Ellis Investors.
Located in the State College Redevelopment Project Area, InterChange Business Center is the result of a public-private partnership between the city of San Bernardino’s Economic Development Agency (EDA) and Hillwood to redevelop the blighted property to a productive use.
LARGEST LEED CERTIFIED INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS IN U.S.
Sq. Foot. Project Date Certified
2,000,000 BridgestoneFirestone Warren Green Bldg., Morrison, TN Oct. 1, 2008
1,500,000 GM Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant, Lansing, MI June 30, 2006
1,441,705 Pryor Gatorade Facility, Pryor, OK April 28, 2008
*1,205,551 Interchange Business Park, San Bernardino, CA June 3, 2009
LARGEST LEED CERTIFIED PROJECTS IN CALIFORNIA
Sq. Foot. Project Proj. Type Date Certified
1,728,702 Capitol Area East Complex, Blk. 17, Sacramento Office Feb. 11, 2004
1,722,464 Getty Center, Los Angeles Assembly/High Ed Feb. 3, 2009
1,464,953 101 California, San Francisco Office April 14, 2009
1,205,551 Interchange Business Park, San Bernardino Industrial June, 3, 2009
* speculative project
Prior to its extensive remediation, the 144-acre site was defined as a Brownfield by local, state and federal agencies. One of the facets of the LEED rating system is to encourage re-developing challenging sites in order to reduce the need to develop pristine undeveloped land.
The location dates back to pre-World War II when it housed a facility to manufacture silica gel. During the war the site was used for the storage, packing and testing of six-pound incendiary bombs for the military. Later it was used for zeolite production of mineral based composites used in water softening.
Other measures that led to the LEED Silver certification for the five speculative buildings at Interchange Business Center include:
Preferred parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles, carpools and vanpools Keeping a significant portion of the site undeveloped with native vegetation to maximize open space Stormwater management plan that limits discharge by increasing on-site infiltration with a bio-swale and detention basin Reduced light pollution by minimizing glare from lighting on buildings and site Developed a Design and Construction Guideline for future tenants to educate and assist with implementing sustainable design and construction elements for interior build-out Installation of water efficient irrigation system and drought tolerant landscaping to minimize water usage Commissioning of the building energy systems to ensure they are installed, calibrated and perform as required for optimal performance. Contracted for Green Power (renewable energy) Onsite recycling program during construction that diverted 75% – 90% of construction debris from landfills Utilized building materials with recycled content, as well as regional materials to reduce environmental impacts resulting from transportation Provided additional outdoor air ventilation by increasing air changes per hour, above code requirements Implemented an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) plan during construction to properly protect equipment prior to and during installation to minimize contamination, as well as protect absorptive materials from moisture damage Utilized low-emitting materials, including adhesives/sealants and finish materials for the interior of the building Skylights and large windows for natural light
The EDA, Hillwood and the San Bernardino Municipal Water District also worked together on a 4 million gallon water reservoir that is vital for future fire suppression capacity in the area.
Interchange Business Center is expected to create approximately 1,400 jobs and provide funding for extensive improvements to the much-traveled and highly congested University Parkway/I-215 Freeway Interchange.
The City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency is a focused, diverse organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of San Bernardino by creating and retaining jobs, eliminating physical and social blight, supporting culture and the arts, developing a balanced mix of quality housing, along with attracting and assisting businesses both independently and through public-private partnerships.
Hillwood began developing in the Inland Empire in 2000, when it was named master developer of the former Norton Air Force Base. Since that time, 7.6 million square feet have been built and close to 3,000 new jobs have been created at what is now called AllianceCalifornia. In addition to Interchange Business Center and AllianceCalifornia, Hillwood’s projects in the Inland Empire include North San Bernardino Business Park, Hofer Ranch in Ontario, Renaissance in Rialto, Vintner’s Grove in Rancho Cucamonga, and West Valley Logistics Center in Fontana.
Dallas-based Hillwood, a Perot company, is one of the top commercial and residential real estate developers in the country. The company’s developments currently house facilities for close to 90 companies listed on either the Fortune 500, Global 500 or Forbes List of Top Private firms. In addition to its Inland Empire projects, Hillwood is best known for its development of the 17,000-acre AllianceTexas project, located 15 miles northwest of DFW Airport, and the $420-million American Airlines Center and Victory district near downtown Dallas.
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