As expected, sustainability has been factored into almost every aspect of the building: designed by Kishimoto GordonDalaya PC, it features 22,000-square-foot floorplates with nine-foot and three-inch ceilings and six-foot and six-inch high windows. The partially underground four-level parking structure has dedicated parking for hybrid and low-emission vehicles. Drought resistant trees, ornamental grasses and flowering bulbs dot the landscape.

Tower Oaks also boasts of a in reduction energy consumption by 28%; water consumption by 41%; an HVAC system that is 39% more efficient than for typical offices; and a four-stage air filtration system that circulates 25% more outside air than required by code. Eighty percent of the electric equipment is Energy Star-rated, 22% of the materials were manufactured within a 500-mile radius; 85% of the construction waste was recycled.

With the large number of buildings designed to LEED standards waiting for certification for Gold or even Platinum in the DC area, it is easy to lose sight that the official certification can take a long time to land. In the District, for example, there are only a small handful of buildings certified for Gold. Other buildings are in the development pipeline--both in the District and Virginia and Maryland suburbs.

Designed to meet Platinum USGBC standards, Monday Properties' 1812 N. Moore St. will be a 30-story building with 569,739 square feet of office and 11,020 square feet of retail space. Arlington County Board just approved the design specs for what will be the first Gold LEED mixed-use residential building there. To be developed by an LLC called 2009 N. 14th St., the 16-story structure will replace the seven-story Executive Building and adjoining two-level parking garage at 2009 14th St. North, between North Troy and North Taft streets. Another recent example is Atlantic Corporate Park in Loudoun County, which just earned Gold LEED certification--the first in the submarket.