COLUMBIA -- The 330,000 square foot Bank of America Plaza office building located on Main Street has become the first existing building in South Carolina to be awarded Gold Level LEED certification for design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
The building is managed by NAI Avant and owned by CRI, Inc., the building’s LEED certification was based upon energy use, lighting, water and material use, as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies.
Some of the rennovations included new faucets, environmentally friendly plants, and pebble stones made from refurbished office supplies.
Local business vendors say making the building more energy effecient is a win-win for everyone.
"The less energy we're using the less natural resources we have to use to make that energy the better off we are. We can devote those dollars elsewhere; to schools they can devote those operating dollars to teachers versus turning the lights on," says Intern Architect Josh Boltinhouse.
A. Oaks Farms supplies all of the buildings plants and flowers and associate Alicia Hinson says, "The plants transpire at night and they give off fresh oxygen, so it reallty benefits everybody."
"I think that's the wave of the future and I think that tenants will want to be in energy efficient buildings," says Vice President of Cooper Realty Investments Jason Evins.
Business leaders say the award is also unique because Bank of America Plaza is an existing building and was not built from the ground up, therefore it cost less money for rennovations and upgrades.
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