Not even a consideration five years ago, "green" design andbuilding practices joined the factors considered when recognizingoutstanding developments and developer. Green design is gooddesign, says a recent honoree.

"A lot of architects are loving this. It's just good design,"says Jim Lutz, senior vp of development of Malvern, Pa.-basedLiberty Property Trust. His company was recently named Developer ofthe Year by the National Association of Industrial and OfficeProperties, in part because of its long-standing commitment tosustainability. The company also has been honored in recent yearsby ULI and CoreNet Global for its green initiatives, which nowinclude 37 LEED-certified buildings completed or in the developmentprocess.

The recognition of sustainability has come rapidly, much likethe overall awareness of the value of green building andmaintenance practices. Awareness is continuing to progress fast."Five years ago, this was hardly a blip on the radar screen," saidThomas J. Bisacquino, president of Herndon, Va.-based NAIOP. "[But]within the next three to five years, the definition of class Aspace, almost will be sustainable."