The Landmark in San Francisco achieves BREEAM USA certification

The Landmark at One Market is a 419,371 sqft (38,961 sqm) 11-storey building considered to be one of San Francisco’s most architecturally distinct and historic properties.  Opened in 1917, The Landmark is located in San Francisco’s famed Financial District right at the Ferry Building and was originally the headquarters of the Southern Pacific Railroad.  The building underwent a major renovation from 1998 to 2000 to upgrade it from a Class 3 to a Class A building.  The renovation included all building systems as well as a major seismic retrofit which expanded and changed the shape of the building. The building was purchased in 2005 by American Assets Trust.  Current tenants include Autodesk and Google.

The Landmark shows the sustainability performance that existing buildings, including those with historic features, can deliver.  The brick façade is not only beautiful, it plays a key role in maintaining comfortable temperatures in the building without requiring as much energy than newer, hermetically sealed buildings.  The operable windows not only provide ventilation, they also deliver health and well-being benefits to tenants by giving the vast majority of the floor space access to natural light. Water consumption is metered at the building level and monitored.

Operational energy efficiency for a building of this type is above average, earning 31 of 40 possible credits. Energy usage is monitored closely through an advanced BMS with intelligent capabilities to provide suggestions for improved performance.

Building management provides building user information that highlights sustainability performance and requirements and has green leases in place with qualitative targets. Maintenance policies are proactive and includes a broad range of building components.

While the energy efficiency of the building’s systems scored around average, operational energy efficiency performance was above average, earning 31 of 40 possible credits. Energy usage is monitored closely through an advanced BMS with intelligent capabilities to provide suggestions for improved performance.

All windows in the building are operable. An enclosed atrium connecting The Landmark to another building guarantees access to natural light for the majority of every floor and provides rest areas and amenities like cafés and restaurants.

The building eliminated individual desk waste cans and implemented a program with centralized collection stations for recyclables, compost, landfill, e-waste, clothes, books and shoes on tenant floors.

Building management provides building user information that highlights sustainability performance and requirements. There are green leases in place with qualitative targets. Maintenance policy is proactive and includes a broad range of building components.

With its central location in downtown San Francisco, The Landmark is within 5 minutes of multiple modes of transport, including buses, light rail, commuter rail and San Francisco’s famed cable cars.

Water consumption is metered at the whole building level and consumption is monitored.

Discussing the benefits of BREEAM certification, Jose Guevara , Senior Property Manager at American Assets Trust remarked: “Sustainability is top-of-mind for our properties, and we have always looked for ways to improve upon building performance through innovative research and environmental programs. BREEAM helped us to look at our sustainability performance through a new, broader lens, and allowed us to enhance opportunities for improvement”

Chris Malabed, Chief Engineer added: “The BREEAM process was more rigorous than anything we had done previously but it provided so much value.  We learned new things about the building, and it got us thinking about sustainability in new ways. It also helped us identify the areas where we excel and it’s helping us think about the next steps for improvement.”