CHICAGO—Chicago-based Fifield Cos. begandeveloping its K Station apartment buildings in the West Loop aboutten years ago with the goal of creating a livable neighborhood. Andthe company and its joint venture partner WoodPartners have just taken another step toward that goal bysecuring a LEED Silver certification from theUS Green Building Council for K2, thepartnership's 496-unit luxury rental tower at 365 Halsted St. inChicago's Fulton River District.

To win this designation, which stands for Leadership inEnergy and Environmental Design, K2 applied for and won 58possible points in the USGCB's rating system. Project highlightsincluded: brownfield redevelopment, alternativetransportation-public transportation access, water use reduction,using recycled and regional materials for construction, developmentdensity and community connectivity, among many others.

“Fifield Companies has made a concentrated effort to developenvironmentally-friendly and energy-efficient buildings with all ofour new construction projects,” says SteveFifield, chairman and chief executive of Fifield. “We findthat it makes sense on all levels. It's the right thing to do forthe environment and it makes sound business strategy. Today'srenters and corporate tenants want to reside and work inenergy-efficient buildings. They want to be as green as possibleand live a more sustainable lifestyle. We are helping them achievethat.”