Liberty Property Trust (NYSE:LRY), the real estate investment trust that owns and manages 77 million square feet of office and industrial properties in the U.S. and U.K., today announced that Comcast Center in Philadelphia has earned LEED^® CS (Core & Shell) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

“LEED CS Gold certification for Comcast Center means that the tallest LEED certified building in the nation is located here in Philadelphia. More importantly, it represents a model for how efficient, invigorating and environmentally sustainable workplaces can and should be integrated into our city and region,” said John Gattuso, senior vice president and regional director, Liberty Property Trust. “We are extremely pleased that each of the sustainable initiatives undertaken by our team, which included Robert A.M. Stern Architects and environmental consultant Atelier Ten, was successful. This commitment will positively impact tenants, commuters and the citizens of our city and region for decades to come.”

Comcast Center rises 58 floors above Philadelphia. The 975’ glass encased tower features 1.25 million square feet of Class A office, restaurant and retail space. Cutting edge sustainable design can be found in nearly every aspect of the building. It uses 40% less water than a typical office building, with fixtures that save more than three million gallons of drinking water annually, of which, waterless urinals in all restrooms save 1.2 million gallons. Shading on the plaza reduces the heat-island effect caused by pavement by 70%. The low-E coating on the curtainwall glass blocks 60% of heat while allowing in 70% of the sun’s visible light, reducing energy used for air conditioning while utilizing natural light to its fullest.

“Our first year in Comcast Center has exceeded our every expectation and we are delighted it has received LEED Gold certification,” said Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Comcast Corporation. “The sustainable features of Comcast Center and its state-of-the art technology create a terrific environment for our employees. The building has already added a special element to our culture and is a highly productive and pleasant place to work.”

Comcast leases more than 90% of the building. The “vertical campus” for the nation’s leading provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services, houses more than 2,600 Comcast workers in a dozen departments, including the company’s corporate headquarters, Comcast Interactive Capital (the company’s venture capital arm), Comcast Interactive Media (the company’s Internet businesses), the Comcast Foundation (the company’s philanthropy) and all of the headquarters functions for the company’s Programming Division. Comcast University, the highly regarded training and development program, is also in residence.

Other office tenants in the complex include Citizen’s Bank and The Judge Group. The ground level area also features a Godiva Chocolatier retail location and Table 31 Steakhouse Bistro, the newest restaurant from Philadelphia icons George Perrier and Chris Scarduzio.

LEED Gold Recognizes Pervasive Approach to Sustainable Design

Liberty’s holistic approach to sustainable design was apparent beginning with the demolition of the original site, through construction and now in daily building operations, making the property one of the most environmentally responsible in the nation.