Hines-Managed Coca-Cola Building in Rio de Janeiro Becomes First to Receive LEED-EB Silver Certification in Brazil
The rise of green features and eco-friendly fixtures in the office market has affected the entire real estate world, and has created a push for not only developing new building incorporating the new technologies, but also refurbishing existing structures and making current properties more attractive.
By Alex Girda, Associate Editor
Rio de Janeiro—The rise of green features and eco-friendly fixtures in the office market has affected the entire real estate world, and has created a push for not only developing new building incorporating the new technologies, but also refurbishing existing structures and making current properties more attractive. Part of that trend is now one of the most high-profile Brazilian properties that Hines is involved with, the Coca-Cola building in Rio de Janeiro. The international real estate company recently announced the fact that the property was recently awarded LEED for Existing Buildings from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The 19-story office building was built back in 1972 and offers 90,145 square feet of space, in the city’s Beaches submarket, near the picturesque Botafogo Bay and the world-famous Sugar Loaf Mountain. Hines has acted as property manager for the facility that houses the soft drink manufacturer’s Brazilian administrative HQ, since 2003. According to Hines Senior Property Manager Sandra Costa, the company is “thrilled to be the first to successfully obtain LEED EB Silver certification in Rio.” That, combined with Coca-Cola’s recent South American initiative to move to a more eco-friendly product, has blended nicely into raising the profile of the building.
The list of green-minded improvements brought to the building that have resulted in the LEED-EB Silver certification includes a comprehensive recycling program, environmentally sensitive cleaning products and practices, as well as reducing indoor potable water use through low-flow fixtures. Additionally, several energy conservation measures for the building’s mechanical and electrical systems will be carried out. Hines is putting up its GREEN OFFICE for tenants program, ensuring the best options to reduce carbon footprints are given to the tenants.
Hines has made the switch to green in recent years and has built its name in the sustainable world, even collecting a few accolades along the way, including the 2012 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award from the EPA, and a host of other distinctions from agencies in Spain, India, Italy and Russia.
