Advance Realty Recognizes Earth Day With Series of Tenant Events
Earth Day Events Highlight Company’s Commitment to Sustainable Initiatives
In recent years, Advance Realty, a leading Northeast U.S. owner and developer of Class A office, mixed-use and flex-space properties, has established itself as an industry leader in “green” development and property management. Through sustainable construction and daily business operations, the Bedminster, N.J.-based company has been committed to creating sustainable environments throughout its portfolio.
Advance observed Earth Day 2010, the day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environments, by encouraging “green” practices through a number of special events held throughout properties in the company’s 4.5-million-square-foot portfolio.
“Advance Realty strives to be an exceptionally responsible corporate citizen,” stated Ginny Carita, Advance Realty’s vice president of property management. “Earth Day presents an ideal opportunity to hold events that educate and encourage our employees and tenants to connect with the idea of ‘green’ practices in their day-to-day activities.”
At One Gateway Center in Newark, N.J., and Bedminster II in Bedminster, N.J., the Advance Management Team hosted an Energy Savings Lighting Fair. Co-sponsored by the NJ Clean Energy Program and the Board of Public Utilities, the Lighting Fair offered tenants and visitors the opportunity to purchase various types of energy-efficient lighting at discounted prices.
At One Gateway Center, a repeat recipient of the NJ Smart Workplaces Winner’s Circle, which recognizes building and management teams for promoting sustainability, reducing traffic, and contributing to better air quality, the Lighting Fair was especially successful. In total, 1,386 individuals — tenants and visitors — participated. During the event, a total of 6,265 products were purchased, translating into total savings of $104,859 on energy and maintenance costs when compared to conventional lighting. Additionally, these purchases will save tenants a combined 426,020 watts, or 57,951,250 hours of lighting.
At Advance’s Maryland-area properties, the company hosted an electrical equipment-recycling day, and at the Virginia properties, Advance held a seminar for its tenants, which discussed and displayed a variety of eco-friendly plants, fertilizers and pesticides, as well as plants for interiors that can help keep their office space green.
Additionally, on April 13, Carita and Brian Banaszyinski, Advance Realty’s vice president of leasing, participated in the Somerset County Business Partnership’s workshop, “Leasing and Operating Green – An Overview of Issues in Leasing and Managing Green Commercial Real Estate Space.” Carita led a presentation titled, “Green Building Management – A Property Manager’s Perspective”, while Banaszyinski led a presentation titled, “Green Building Management – A Leasing Professional’s Perspective.”
In 2008, Advance launched its ADVANCE to GREEN program as a way to educate tenants on sustainable practices and enhance building operation efficiency. The program evaluates all building systems, with an analysis to formally assess needs, deficiencies and other energy related issues, as well as implementing environmentally responsible daily operations including, recycling, energy-efficient lighting, water conservation and “green” cleaning.
About Advance Realty
Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2009 and headquartered in Bedminster, N.J., Advance Realty is an owner and developer of office, flex, industrial, retail and multifamily properties. With 4.5 million square feet of operating properties and a development portfolio consisting of 6 million square feet of commercial projects and 6,500 residential units, Advance is one of the leading real estate owners in the Northeast. For more information, call Advance Realty at (908) 719-3000 or visit www.advancerealtygroup.com.
