“In 1931, it became the world’s tallest building. Now it will become one of the most energy efficient” states and article in the Wall Street Journal.
Older buildings can perform very well in the proper retrofits are installed claims Dan Probst, chairman of energy and sustainability services at Chicago based Jones Lang LaSalle, the firm which is managing the project. Upgrading the windows, using thermal barriers behind existing radiators to reduce heat leakage and lighting retrofitting are the non high tech solutions to green this 80 year old iconic building. They are anticipating achieving a Gold Lead-EB (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design- Existing Buildings) certification by 2013.
The developers claim that the construction costs maybe be 1% to 1.5% higher by using more recycled products and development costs can be slighter higher using greener standards but the cost of operations can be reduced by 20% to 40%!
For more details on this project refer to Wall Street Journal, Wednesday, November 11, 2009, C11 or wsj.com/realestate/commercial.