Al. Neyer, Inc. commits to go green on all new development projects

Cincinnati, Ohio –Al. Neyer, Inc. principals say the next office, medical office, retail or industrial building they design and build for the company’s real estate development portfolio will be LEED-rated. So will the one after that.

Additionally, the 115-year-old commercial real estate development and design-build firm has developed and pledged to specify a core of low- or no-cost and high-return Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) features as a standard to every project it builds for every client.

And, the company will take part in meaningful continuous improvement goals for sustainability initiatives, including developing an evaluation system for products and techniques aligned with the burgeoning green building industry.

Al. Neyer focuses on office, medical office, industrial and mixed-use urban development with projects like Linden Pointe on the Lateral urban office campus redevelopment and Turnpike Distribution Center in Greater Pittsburgh.  In 2008, the company counts four LEED-Certified registered projects – East Pointe Building 200; The Herald Building; a LEED-Silver Commercial Interiors (CI) for Paychex North America; and a LEED-Gold Commercial Interiors (CI) tenant build-out for architecture firm SHP Leading Design, the first LEED CI Gold interior in Greater Cincinnati. Five Al. Neyer staff members have earned LEED Accredited Professional credentials.

Al. Neyer’s commitment to sustainable design and construction didn’t start and won’t end with LEED-rated buildings, according to David F. Neyer, President and CEO. “Green goes beyond LEED – it’s also a commitment to innovation, continuous improvement and finding ways to restore community assets.”

Al. Neyer’s platform of producing buildings by the design-build delivery method is best suited for innovation in delivering green results, too.

“In Design-Build, we approach a project with a multidisciplinary team of experts in site, water and air quality, environmental and landscape design, mechanical systems, building design and construction,” Mr. Neyer says. “All of that discovery at the beginning of the process promotes an exchange of ideas that results in more efficient buildings.”

One aspect of Al. Neyer’s stepped up commitment to sustainability is the recognition of the importance of incorporating existing structures and materials into new construction, as well as improving outdated buildings.

Insisting on reusing built assets has a big impact. Mr. Neyer explains, “One way to lessen the environmental impact on a community is to incorporate into the project something within that community that already exists.” At Linden Pointe, project managers recycled old building foundations and used the design of a historic flatiron building on a new building that stands as the new corporate office campus’ centerpiece. “It’s a source of community pride – it provides tremendous psychological benefits beyond the created value.”

Al. Neyer has significant experience in adaptive reuse – restoring buildings, often with historic and architectural significance, into new purpose. Historic Ford Factory was completed in 2003 and, at 100% leased with office tenants like Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, stands as a beacon of new economic vitality in Cincinnati’s urban neighborhood of Walnut Hills.

According to Mr. Neyer, “Medical office is already the next total “ah hah” for green  – if you’re providing health care services, of course you’re going to want provide them in a certifiably healthful environment.”

Al. Neyer employs 82 at its downtown Cincinnati headquarters in a 1905 building it renovated in 2000.

Standard Features

Al. Neyer’s standard features it will specify in every building project, aligned with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) goals, includes:

Native landscaping

Low flow water fixtures

High efficiency lights and controls

Low VOC paint

Daylighting strategies/reduced artificial lighting levels

Improving stormwater management practices

Carpets with green seal of approval

Promotion of regionable materials

Use of recyclable materials