the Bently Reserve
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The Bently Reserve Receives National LEED Silver Certification: A Grand San Francisco Building Now Recognized as One of the Country’s Greenest
The historic Bently Reserve, formerly the San Francisco US Federal Reserve Bank, has received silver certification in the national Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System for Core and Shell Development (LEED Silver CS). Located in the heart of the financial district, the Bently Reserve is known as one of the City’s premier special event venues, and as one of the area’s most cherished buildings. This certification makes the Bently Reserve San Francisco’s first LEED Silver certified special event and conference center, as well as one of the City’s greenest commercial spaces — a landmark achievement for both the owner, Bently Holdings, and the city of San Francisco.
“We’re proud of the Bently Reserve because it’s one of the city’s most architecturally stunning buildings and now one of its most sustainable,” says Bently Holdings CEO Christopher Bently. “It’s a beautiful building with some old bones, but a very modern heart.”
About LEED-CS
The LEED certification was specifically awarded for the environmental upgrades to the building’s “core and shell,” meaning that the certification applies to significant environmental upgrades done to the building’s structure, envelope, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems. This certification compliments LEED certification for interiors, which is pending for the conference center and main event halls. LEED-Core and Shell also helps future tenants “go green” by giving them a foundation of environmental upgrades to build upon; many such upgrades have already been completed on the interior of the building by Bently Holdings, as well as in the offices by building tenants. Learn more about LEED here.
A History of Leadership
Since purchasing the building in 2005, Bently Holdings owners Christopher and Amber Marie Bently have cultivated a green environment by requiring all new tenants to design their office space at a minimum of LEED Silver Certified. One of these tenants, the Energy Foundation, became the first commercial space in San Francisco — and one of only thirteen worldwide — to receive LEED-CI Platinum Certification from the US Green Building Council.
Bently Holdings has worked closely with the SmithGroup and BCCI Builders to update and remodel the building while preserving its unique Beaux-Arts style. New flooring was purchased from Forest Stewardship Council certified sources. Artificial lighting was re-designed to interact with natural sources, a daylight harvesting system was implemented, and a central automation and control network was installed to monitor occupancy and save energy in real time. Throughout the refit, demolished material was recycled in excess of 75 percent, and any new paints were low VOC (volatile organic compound).
Modern eco-friendly amenities abound, such as the thirty-three indoor bicycle parking spaces that make green commuting much more convenient for tenants. The building also boasts some of the most sophisticated office and conference technologies in the City. But does the investment outweigh the risk? According to Amber Marie Bently, the president of Bently Holdings, it does: “We feel owning a LEED-Certified building gives us a competitive advantage in the market even during such an economically difficult time.”
Preserving San Francisco History
One might think that refitting an eighty-five year old building to meet and exceed modern green standards would take away from its historic charm, but Bently Holdings has methodically preserved this building’s original magnificence. From the lavish mural in the lobby by celebrated artist Jules Guerin, to the prominent Beaux-Arts Ionic Colonnade, to the dazzling period chandeliers in the Banking Hall, the Bently Reserve is as much a part of San Francisco’s colorful past as its bright future.
About Bently Holdings: Founded in 2001 as a sustainable luxury real estate and property holdings company, Bently Holdings has become a benchmark for California’s green building initiatives.
About the Author
Doug Hahn
Douglas Hahn is a copywriter, creative writer, and avid reader. He’s been working in the industry for nearly a decade, and wants to see the world become a greener place.
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