The complex includes three buildings, which are managed by CBRichard Ellis. The company has made a policy to reduce itsenvironmental footprint, along with providing advice and servicesto its clients to do the same, said Eric Smith, operations managerfor CB, in a statement. "Our first responsibility is to ourtenants…and ensuring we live up to our environmental andsustainable responsibilities," he said. The tenants at this complexinclude General Electric and Cincom Systems Inc.

Dave Savage with Trane tells GlobeSt.com that more and morecompanies are investing in green equipment to save money andprotect the environment. "A lot more buildings today are workingtoward LEED certification," he says. "Federal governments aremandated LEED, and local governments are spring-boarding on thisrequirement. However, large private companies are also taking thison, such as GE in this complex."

He says Northstar was able to gain a large rebate from itsutility company for installing efficient equipment. "These rebatesare also becoming more common. We're getting ready to do anotherproject that has 24 ice storage tanks, and getting a rebate fromthe utility company on this one as well. On just about everyproject today, energy efficiency is a huge driver."