HOUSTON—Despite past market challenges, an office complex is using its central location, transit access and sustainable features as key draws for leasing momentum. That property, West Memorial Place development, is a 12-acre office campus situated along Terry Hershey Park in Houston's Energy Corridor.

The campus includes two sustainable class-A office towers, LEED Platinum West Memorial Place I, measuring 331,000 square feet, and West Memorial Place II, measuring 385,000 square feet, which is expected to achieve LEED Platinum certification in the coming months. This will be the first speculative LEED Platinum campus in Houston, consuming more than 30% less energy than typical baseline buildings. The development was constructed around a number of sustainable features, including waste diversion and energy recovery. The offices feature a mixture of stone and floor-to-ceiling glass walls, as well as thermal insulation to help reduce heat gain while still providing an abundance of natural light. The buildings also use an energy recovery wheel, which pre-cools fresh air before it is transferred through the mechanical system. This requires less energy to cool and condition the buildings.

The development was completed in two phases, with West Memorial Place I completing construction in 2015 and West Memorial Place II following in 2016. Phase I is currently 55% leased and Phase II is 45% leased.

West Memorial Place is positioned among large corporations in the Energy Corridor and adjacent to Terry Hershey Park's many miles of hike and bike trails. The campus boasts amenities such as a fitness center, an on-site café, car wash services and a bike share program allowing tenants easy access to the connecting park.

“Houston's Energy Corridor is one of the distinguished markets for national and international companies operating in the energy sector,” Matt Damborsky, executive vice president for Skanska USA Commercial Development tells GlobeSt.com. “Despite market challenges in the past, we are optimistic that the complex is uniquely positioned to compete, given its central location along Terry Hershey Park and its easy access to key transit, including I-10, the Beltway, Highway 6 and the Grand Parkway. The development is also the first speculative LEED Platinum campus in the city, which is a key draw for companies seeking a sustainable, forward-thinking working environment in West Houston. We look forward to partnering with JLL's team of established and experienced brokers to identify new and exciting opportunities for tenants seeking a state-of-the-art office environment with unparalleled connectivity to the surrounding natural environment.”

As the exclusive leasing agency for West Memorial Place, JLL's senior vice president Bubba Harkins and vice president Russell Hodges will lead the leasing and marketing efforts in partnership with Skanska.

“West Memorial Place offers tenants a superior office environment and connectivity to the outdoors that is not found elsewhere in Houston,” said Harkins. “The thoughtful and intelligent design of West Memorial Place is sure to provide tenants with an unparalleled office experience.”

Skanska's other Houston-area projects include the planned Capitol Tower development, a 35-story 750,000-square-foot office tower set to be developed on a prime block in downtown. Reflecting Skanska's commitment to sustainability, Capitol Tower is the only office development in Houston to achieve LEEDv4 Platinum pre-certification. Also under development is Spring Crossing, a three-phase class-A development with 850,000 square feet of office space near the Woodlands, providing an alternative for tenants interested in the emerging North Houston submarket.

Instant Insights /

First Spec LEED Platinum Campus Has Energy Corridor Address

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