Chicago, Illinois–(7/7/2020)– Albion Residential announced today that their project, Albion Oak Park has been awarded LEED Silver certification. The LEED (Leadership in Energy And Environmental Design) rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence. Through design, construction and operations practices that improve environmental and human health, LEED-certified buildings are helping to make the world more sustainable.

“As a company we strive to produce environmentally conscious and sustainable properties, so achieving LEED Silver certification for Albion Oak Park is something we are very proud of. It’s important to us because it ensures a healthy environment for our tenants.” said Bob Gleason, Vice President of Asset Management, Albion Residential

Albion Oak Park was designed by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture and Built by Clark Construction. The building features 265 luxury residential apartment units, 7,500 SF of ground-floor retail and 204 parking stalls. Albion Oak Park is located on the corner of Lake Street and Forest Avenue in the epicenter of downtown Oak Park.

The development achieved LEED Silver certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions aimed at achieving high performance in: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Green buildings allow companies to operate more sustainably and give the people inside them a healthier, more comfortable space to live and work.

“The project is a great example of commitment to the environment and sustainable development,” said Benjamin Skelton, President of Cyclone Energy Group. Cyclone managed the certification process and guided the team in selecting and documenting the 50 points required for LEED Silver certification. Key strategies included connectivity to the local community and public transportation access and parking was provided for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles. Residential units feature efficient plumbing fixtures, high-efficiency heat pumps for heating and cooling low-VOC paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants and flooring systems. Overall the building is nearly 24% more efficient than a baseline building.

“Achieving LEED certification is more than just implementing sustainable practices. It represents a commitment to making the world a better place and influencing others to do better,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO, USGBC. “Given the extraordinary importance of climate protection and the central role buildings play in that effort, Albion Oak Park is creating a path forward through their LEED certification.”

Certification is proof that buildings are going above and beyond to ensure the space is constructed and operated to the highest level of sustainability.

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