PNC to Build “Most Environmentally-Friendly” Skyscraper
PITTSBURGH — PNC Financial Services Group recently announced plans to construct the world’s most environmentally-friendly skyscraper.
The Tower at PNC Plaza will be an 800,000-square foot building sited diagonally across the intersection from the company’s 150-year-old headquarters.
When completed in summer of 2015, the 40-story building will serve as the financial group’s new headquarters executive offices and will be the Pittsburgh’s largest building. The existing building will continue to house various company departments.
Officials expect the Tower to accommodate long-term growth of the banking and asset management company.
Officials from the company said the tower reflects PNC’s commitment to the community and its investment in the comfort and productivity of employees.
“When the Tower is complete, we will have invested more than $700 million in green buildings at the heart of the city,” said James Rohr, chairman and chief executive officer of PNC.
Tentative plans call for about 300 underground parking spaces, street-level retail and green rooftops.
The $400 million project will create about 2,500 construction jobs, with 500 workers at a time on site during peak periods, according to officials.
The building will feature sensors and meters, and double glass façade to enhance energy efficiency and reduce cooling costs and allowing natural airflow to the building.
The building’s heating and cooling system will deliver conditioned air to specific zones of the building, as needed, and the building will be oriented to take advantage of sunlight in workspaces, reducing the need for artificial light during the day.
The team from the Pittsburgh branch of architecture firm Gensler is also exploring fuel cells, solar panels, geothermal systems and other alternative power generation.
The building’s green rooftops will collect rainwater and channel it for use in other parts of the structure, as well as reduce the heat gain associated with traditional rooftops, according to officials.
Re-usable materials from deconstructed buildings on the site will be donated to Pittsburgh-based non-profit building supply warehouse Construction Junction, and a cultural survey of the site, including archeological excavation, will be conducted by Christine Davis Consultants of Verona, Pa.
PNC is aiming for LEED Platinum certification, but plans to exceed the requirements for Platinum, officials said.
PNC is aiming for LEED Platinum certification, but plans to exceed the requirements for Platinum, officials said.
In 2000, the company opened its first green building, the PNC Firstside Center. The 650,000-square-foot building was the largest LEED-certified building in the world at the time.
PNC will own the building and occupy all of the office space, with tenants in the retail spaces at street level, officials said.
Deconstruction of the current building on the site is expected to begin in late 2011, with construction starting in spring of 2012. The company will solicit community input on street level design in upcoming months.
Pittsburgh-based PJ Dick will serve as construction manager and U.K.-based Buro Happold will be the engineering firm, with Paladino & Company of Seattle serving as the green building consultant.