215 West Achieves LEED® Certification

CHICAGO, April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Jupiter Realty Company announced today that 215 West, its residential project in downtown Chicago, has been awarded LEED® Certification, established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. 215 West is the first high-rise apartment residence to be built in the Loop in 15 years and is one of the first to be developed for LEED certification.

"215 West was developed to provide our residents with a living experience that integrates luxurious finishes and amenities with ecologically sensitive design," said Don Smith, a Jupiter Principal. "Achieving LEED certification is a cornerstone of the promise we made to our residents. In addition, we implemented green initiatives beyond those required for certification to enhance the sustainable, healthy living environment for our residents."

215 West achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED certified building save money for residents, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

"The strength of USGBC has always been the collective strength of our leaders in the building industry," said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "Given the extraordinary importance of climate protection and the central role of the building industry in that effort, Jupiter Realty Company demonstrates their leadership through their LEED certification of 215 West."

LEED certification of 215 West was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:

• Utilizing highly reflective roofing to reduce heat island effect
• Reducing water consumption by 20 percent through efficient fixtures
• Creating a green roof with native landscaping to reduce the need for irrigation by more than 50 percent
• A location within an existing developed neighborhood, with immediate access to public transportation
• Providing bicycle storage and car sharing opportunities within the building
• Using energy-efficient lighting systems and incorporating natural light in over 75 percent of areas
• Installing energy-efficient appliances where possible
• Specifying low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints and carpeting
• Diverting more than 75 percent of construction waste from landfills

About 215 West

Developed by Jupiter Realty Company in partnership with Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC, the 50-story building at 215 West Washington features 389 studio/convertible, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartment homes. The tower also includes an attached 12-story parking garage and 14,000 square feet of retail space at street level. Each residence at 215 West features stainless steel Frigidaire® Energy Star® appliances, granite countertops, a washer and dryer, generous closet space and floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of the city. Additionally, the building is pet friendly and offers a wide selection of amenities for residents to enjoy including a 24-hour door attendant, fitness club, steam and massage therapy rooms, cyber lounge, theater, game room, party room, and high-tech business center and library. The building also features a landscaped green roof featuring outdoor seating, grilling areas, pool, and sundeck. For more information: 312-521-5900 or www.215westapts.com.

Jupiter Realty Company

Chicago-based Jupiter Realty Company was incorporated as a privately held, vertically integrated development, investment and management firm in 1985. The company acquires, develops, finances, renovates, repositions, and manages office buildings, hotels, garden and high-rise apartments, shopping centers, free-standing retail stores, industrial buildings, mixed-use properties and land. Jupiter Realty and its subsidiaries and affiliates operate nationally with a focus on the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. For more information, please visit www.jupiterrealty.com.

U.S. Green Building Council

The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With a community comprising 80 local affiliates, more than 18,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 155,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.

Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.

For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.

SOURCE Jupiter Realty Company