Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Achieves LEED Gold Certification

The $1.5 billion project will generate millions of dollars in new economic activity for New York City, while serving as a model of environmental efficiency and sustainability. 

The 1.2 million square-foot expansion includes several innovative concepts to push the boundaries of sustainability and create a path for future initiatives. Since 2014, the Javits Center has reduced the building’s energy consumption by 26%, created a rooftop wildlife habitat and installed energy-efficient equipment throughout the structure on Manhattan’s West Side. The innovative design has enabled the expansion to achieve LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
 
As part of the project, more than 75% of all construction waste was diverted from landfills for reuse or recycling, and construction materials were chosen with sustainability characteristics including high recycled content, locally sourced and sustainably harvested wood. Among the sustainable highlights of the expansion are the one-acre rooftop farm, 3,000 solar panels, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and energy conservation. 

“The project started out with a goal of LEED Silver Certification, but through a team effort among Lendlease Turner, the Javits Center, tvsdesign and our trade partners, we were able to exceed that goal and achieve LEED Gold Certification. This success can be attributed in part to the inherent collaborative nature of a design-build project,” said Talitha Dos Santos, Engineer and LEED Green Associate at Turner Construction Company. 
 
“This marks another milestone in our ongoing commitment to leading the evolution of our industry to be truly sustainable – environmentally, socially and economically. Our highly ambitious Mission Zero targets will only be achieved through collaborations such as this where together we are transforming the industry.” said Steve Sommer, Executive General Manager and President of New York Construction at Lendlease.  

About Turner Construction Company
Turner is an international construction services company. Founded in 1902, Turner first made its mark on the industry pioneering the use of steel-reinforced concrete for general building, which enabled the company to deliver safer, stronger, and more efficient buildings to clients. The company continues to embrace emerging technologies and offers an increasingly diverse set of services. With an annual construction volume of US $15 billion, Turner is the largest builder in the United States, ranking first in the major market segments of the building construction field, including healthcare, education, sports, commercial, and green building. The firm is a subsidiary of HOCHTIEF, one of the world’s leading international construction service providers. For more information, please visit http://www.turnerconstruction.com.


About Lendlease
Lendlease is a leading global real estate group with operations in Australia, Asia, Europe and the Americas. Our purpose is to create value through places where communities thrive.

Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, Lendlease has approximately 9,500 employees internationally. 
www.lendlease.com 


Photography credit: Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo