Last fall, we spoke with Unico Properties director of sustainability Brett Phillips about the company's 132K SF Stone34 development in Fremont, which had completed the City of Seattle’s Deep Green Pilot Program. We caught up with Phillips for an update on how the project has done meeting its sustainability goals.

Bisnow: What is the latest assessment of how sustainable Stone34 has proven to be?

Phillips: A design and operations review performed by the International Living Future Institute has confirmed that Stone34 surpassed its targets in energy by 15% and water by 27%. The building has an Energy Star score of 100 and has two LEED Platinum certifications for Building Design + Construction and Existing Buildings Operations + Maintenance.

Bisnow: Has it attracted any attention locally or beyond, and why?

Phillips: The project has helped pioneer new public policy that will unleash greater capital investment in environmentally responsible and financially prudent development. The sustainability achievements at Stone34 represent a milestone for the built environment and provide a detailed blueprint for future commercial developments to replicate.

Bisnow: Why?

Phillips: Stone34 showcases how "deep green" design and development creates increased value for our tenants, our neighborhoods, our partners and our communities. Stone34 stands as a leader and has opened the door for the future of commercial Living Buildings in Seattle. The project will be featured in a high-profile presentation at the upcoming Urban Land Institute’s spring meeting on May 4.

Bisnow: Why was it important to participate in the Living Building Pilot Program last year?

Phillips: Last September, Stone34 officially became the first commercially developed building to complete the City of Seattle’s Deep Green Pilot program, now known as the Living Building Pilot Program. By meeting and surpassing rigorous sustainability requirements during a 12-month performance period, Stone34 proved how privately owned buildings can deploy advanced green building features without sacrificing industry acceptable investment returns.

Bisnow: How was the program put together?

Phillips: The Living Building Pilot Program was developed using components of the Living Building Challenge, which is administered by the International Living Future Institute and whom the City of Seattle uses as a third-party verifying body. Under the program, Stone34 was afforded additional building height in return for committing to meet the program’s green building requirements.

Relative to average comparable commercial buildings, Stone34 was required to [use] 25% less energy, 75% less potable water and reuse 50% of captured stormwater as well as achieve 12 out of 20 of the imperatives outlined in the Living Building Challenge. Program incentives and requirements have since been updated under an updated version of the City of Seattle’s Living Building Challenge Pilot Program.

Phillips will speak at our Seattle Sustainability event. The event will be at the Triple Door on Thursday, beginning at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast and schmoozing.