Green the theme at $100M Keystone Parke

The $100 million Keystone Parke office campus in Evanston has been designed with many sustainable, green elements, making it stand out among its competitors along the I-71 corridor.
The Neyer Properties project, which will contain three buildings totalling 460,000 square feet, is the region's first LEED-certified core and shell development.

Each will be built using recycled materials, most of which were produced locally.  And they're returning the favor, having recycled 120 tons of construction debris so far. The individual buildings are designed to take advantage of the power of the sun.  While the exterior shells reflect the sun's heat, strategically placed high-efficiency glass windows let in natural light.

Light-reflective rooftops will be adorned with energy recovery wheels, allowing the buildings' HVAC systems to recapture air that would normally be lost to exhaust. Tenants will have access to the building management system, which will allow them to track their total energy usage.  When compared to the usage in their previous buildings, they can expect savings of up to 20 percent in annual operating costs.

Outside, the green and pedestrian-friendly campus will feature bike racks and priority parking for carpoolers and energy-efficient vehicles. Landscaping will include native Ohio plants, designed to use less water and to complement the low-flow interior fixtures.

According to Jeff Chamot, a development associate with Neyer Properties, great visibility and access aren't all that make Keystone Parke stand out. "LEED certification is big," Chamot says.  "Nobody else is doing that in the I-71 corridor.  We wanted to create a lasting impression - this is a development that's going to be around for the next 50 years."

Buildout on Keystone Parke is expected in January 2010.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Jeff Chamot, Neyer Properties

Illustration:  Bret Schulte
Rendering:  Courtesy Neyer Properties