Butler Plaza’s Final Spec Office Project Breaks Ground, Jacksonville, Florida

Liberty Starts Construction of 80,000-SF Class A Building

Real estate investment trust Liberty Property Trust started construction on its new speculative office building last week. Working alongside the U.S. Green Building Council, Liberty is seeking LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for the property. Butler III, an 80,000-square-foot office building, is the final installment to the Butler Plaza Office Park. If LEED certification is awarded upon building completion next April, it will be the REIT’s second sustainable development project in Jacksonville.

The building’s exterior materials will include concrete and glass, and its interior will be made of granite, limestone and terrazzo. According to Liberty, its “numerous high-performance features will include waterless urinals, low-flow shower heads and sensor faucets, high energy-efficient HVAC equipment with special filters and carbon dioxide monitors, a highly reflective TPO roof membrane, as well as low emission paints, carpet and adhesives.”

Liberty is a leader in the development of green building and holds a U. S. Green Building Council Award for Corporate Leadership. Liberty received official LEED certification for 5201 Gate Parkway, also in Butler Plaza in January. The property is the first commercial building in Jacksonville that is LEED certified and one of 10 buildings in the state of Florida that meets LEED certification requirements.

Mike Heise, vice president, Liberty Property Trust, believes that the development of green buildings is essential given the current competition and market demand. Currently, the REIT oversees more than 3 million square feet of LEED projects.

Written by Mishka Parkins

Real Estate Jacksonville Florida