Neyer Properties pledges to go green on future projects

Neyer Properties has pledged to go green on all new office construction projects, a first for local commercial developers. The commitment was announced following the opening of their Keystone Parke development in Evanston, a $100 million office complex that is the first LEED core and shell Class A project in the region. Scott Yards, a vice president of CB Richard Ellis' Office Specialty Group who is a broker partner for Keystone Parke, says that, within the past year or two, green awareness among companies in the Midwest has increased rapidly from a point of non-existence.

"I expect that to continue to increase," he says.  "A majority of Fortune 100, Fortune 500 companies are making it part of their corporate missions.  For example, Bank of America, Accenture, and other companies have taken the initiative to only locate in green buildings."

For others, the awareness has yet to set in.

"It really is an education process," Yards says.  "We've had meetings with well-known companies here in Cincinnati, and they'll ask, 'What does that mean for us?'"

Jeff Chamot, development project manager for Neyer Properties, says that companies should be interested in how green buildings can improve their bottom line.

"When I talk to tenants, I always push the utility savings," he says.  "But what's bigger is that tenants in green buildings are much more productive.  They use less sick time, and they get more done."

Yards believes that other firms will have to follow Neyer Properties' lead to stay competitive.

"It's very important for firms that want to build first-class properties to attract blue chip companies," he says.  "It's the wave of the future.  It's not really an option."

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Sources: Jeff Chamot, development project manager, Neyer Properties; Scott Yards, vice president of Office Specialty Group, CB Richard Ellis
Image provided by Neyer Properties