Leighton HQ project achieves 6 Star green rating

Leighton Properties and Leighton Contractors have achieved a 6-Star Green Star — Office Design v2 rating for their HQ development in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley.

Consisting of two office towers providing 43,500 m² of commercial office and boutique retail space, the project was recently recognised by the Green Building Council of Australia as a world leader in environmentally sustainable office design.

The certification follows the team’s Green Square development in Fortitude Valley, which is the first project in Queensland to achieve both a Green Star — Office Design and Green Star — Office As Built certified rating.

Leighton Properties executive director Andrew Borger said they had applied Green Square’s award-winning formula to raise the benchmark even higher for HQ: “At HQ we will be making significant reductions in the amount of waste generated during construction with at least 80% of construction waste being re-used or recycled.

“We also achieved the top points applicable for energy improvement. The design has attained a 60% reduction in greenhouse emissions, as well as reaching the top energy ranking from the National Australian Built Environment rating system.

“In the current economic climate, tenants are seeking quality green office space more than ever due to the long-term financial and employee benefits.”

Leighton Contractors Northern Region general manager Darren Weir said he was very pleased with the recognition for HQ: “This certification demonstrates our commitment to lead the building and construction industry’s transition to sustainable development.

“We are very proud that Green Square and HQ are regarded among Queensland’s ‘greenest’ buildings. At the heart of HQ’s sustainable construction has been careful material selection and rigorous waste management. Procurement and material selection has been equally driven by environmental sustainability, safety, commercial competitiveness and quality.”