USAA Real Estate Co. Obtains Highest Platinum Certification on the Renaissance Tower in Sacramento, CA

SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- USAA Real Estate Company is pleased to announce that the Renaissance Tower, a multi-tenant, class A, high rise office building located in Sacramento, California has earned a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED EBOM) certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) at its highest, Platinum, level.

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The property is the second Multi-Tenant Platinum recipient in the world under the USGBC's LEED EBOM,   and one of only thirty-one LEED EB Platinum projects in the world.

"This accomplishment is not just a culmination of the efforts of everyone on the team, but it also reflects the unified efforts of all tenants of the Renaissance Tower.  Management would like to extend its appreciation to the following tenants: the State of California's Department of Conservation, State of California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, Jackson Lewis Law Firm, Klinedinst Law Firm, Sierra Club, California Earthquake Authority, the State Department of Interior Relations, State Department of Labor and Workforce, State Public Defender and J P Morgan Chase Bank.  Without their participation, achieving LEED EBOM Platinum would simply not have been possible.  As important is LEED EBOM, which coupled with our Energy Star Label and other associated improvements represents our efforts to drive the business case for efficiency and sustainability," says Pat Duncan, Chairman and CEO of USAA Real Estate Company. "We continually strive to improve the financial and environmental performance of our real estate portfolio and in so doing, drive improved comfort, lower operating costs and provide a healthier environment and community for our tenants." 

The onsite property management team, led by Mary Harris, utilized the expertise of Envision Realty Services and USAA Real Estate Company's sustainability platform which allowed them to achieve the goals of reducing carbon emissions, promoting tenant satisfaction and awareness, thus lowering operating costs while still enhancing property value.

USAA Real Estate Company also acknowledges co-investment partner, SITQ for their support during this process to improve the building's environmental performance using the LEED rating system. USAA Real Estate Company's commitment to improving the efficiency and comfort of the portfolio is evidenced by the achievement of LEED EBOM Platinum, also being named Energy Star Partner of the Year (eight times) and partnership with USGBC in the development of the LEED Portfolio Program.   

USAA Real Estate Company has over $6 billion of owned assets and provides co-investment and acquisition for corporate and institutional investors as well as capital to developers around the country.  The USAA Real Estate Company portfolio consists of office, industrial, retail, multi-family and hotel properties.  USAA Real Estate is a subsidiary of USAA, which has been serving military families since 1922 and has become one of America's leading financial services companies. For more information, please visit the website at www.usrealco.com.

SOURCE USAA Real Estate Company