Vornado Realty Trust, along with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), announced that it has become the first major real estate owner, operator and developer to achieve 100% LEED certification across its entire portfolio of in-service buildings.
Developed by USGBC, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Over the past two years, Vornado has submitted its entire 26.1 million-square-foot in-service portfolio for USGBC review and recertification. Based on those reviews, Vornado became the first owner and operator in the U.S. to achieve 100% LEED certification, with 24.8 million square feet across 25 buildings achieving the highest LEED Platinum or Gold ratings.
Vornado, whose portfolio is concentrated primarily in New York City with additional premier assets in San Francisco and Chicago, has had a decades-long commitment to responsible development, the company noted.
“At Vornado, we are focused on the next frontier of sustainable real estate, including programs that concentrate on technology, resilience and health,” said Michael Franco, president and chief financial Officer, Vornado. “We are dedicated to consistently being at the forefront of sustainability by making smart infrastructure improvements, investing in sustainable technologies, employing best practices for building operations and establishing partnerships with our tenants. This creates lasting value for our investors, tenants, employees and communities.”
Most recently, Vornado was recognized with Nareit’s inaugural 2024 Sustainability Impact Award for its redevelopment of The Penn District, its 10 million-square foot campus on Manhattan’s West Side. Also in 2024, The Penn District received the first-ever U.S. certification and Platinum rating globally from ModeScore, a sustainability assessment tool, in recognition of Vornado’s transforming the area into a greener, more accessible, and more connected commercial hub.
“USGBC applauds Vornado for this impressive achievement, the first of its kind in the United States at this large scale,” said Peter Templeton, president and chief executive officer, USGBC. “Vornado is maximizing performance and sustainability across its entire portfolio, demonstrating the benefits and value of green building and setting an example for the entire real estate industry.”
