Celebrating iconic green buildings across the United States

Learn more about some of our favorite iconic buildings and tell us about yours.

Feature image: The LEED Gold Eisenhower Memorial in Washington, D.C. Photo credit: Mike Arnold.

Buildings with exciting architectural design, historical significance and cultural impact evoke a strong emotional response. Such buildings can also greatly impact local, national and global sustainability goals, due to their energy efficiency, water conservation measures, human health strategies and reduced carbon footprint. In addition to being major attractions in their areas, many of these icons are also certified with green building rating systems such as LEED, SITES and TRUE and are well known for their sustainability efforts.

These high-performing buildings not only benefit from significant environmental benefits; they can also enjoy economic benefits like lower operating costs, higher property value and tax incentives. In terms of societal advantages, occupant and visitor health and well-being are enhanced with improved indoor air quality and better natural lighting. Another plus is that these certifications can also boost marketability, attract tenants and buyers, align with corporate responsibility goals, enhance public image and improve risk management.

Iconic LEED buildings around the U.S.

Staff from USGBC's U.S. Market Transformation and Development (MTD) team have picked a few of their favorite LEED, SITES and TRUE projects-and we urge you consider visiting one of these icons and to share your favorites with us in the survey below. In the months leading up to Greenbuild, we will take a deeper look at your favorites and ours through project spotlights on our U.S. MTD Market Insights page on LinkedIn.

East Coast

• Comcast Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-LEED Gold recertification under LEED for Operations and Maintenance (O+M): Standing 975 feet tall, this exemplary commercial building is one of the tallest LEED-certified structures in the United States.
• Eisenhower Memorial, Washington, D.C-LEED Gold certification under LEED for Building Design and Construction (BD+C): It showcases its strong commitment to sustainability with eco-friendly design elements and energy-efficient systems integrated into the monument's construction.
• Empire State Building, New York, New York-LEED Gold recertification under LEED v4: This globally recognized skyscraper has extensive retrofitting that enhances the skyscraper's energy efficiency, resulting in significant operations savings.
• One World Trade Center, New York, New York-LEED Gold certification under LEED O+M: This towering giant of commerce features advanced building management systems and renewable energy sources.
• The Spiral, New York, New York-LEED Gold certification under LEED BD+C: This futuristic 65-story commercial high-rise promotes well-being with ample light, fresh air and biophilic design elements.

Midwest and Plains

• Colorado State Capitol, Denver, Colorado -LEED Gold recertification: Reflecting on its commitment to retaining history and sustainability, this classic government building focused on energy-efficient systems, water conservation measures and environmentally responsible materials.
• Monona Terrace Convention Center, Madison, Wisconsin-LEED Platinum certification under LEED O+M: This beautiful event space designed by Frank Lloyd Wright emphasizes sustainability through its energy-efficient design and use of renewable resources.
• Old Faithful Visitor Center, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming-LEED Gold certification under LEED BD+C: The inviting public landmark showcases its environmental stewardship through sustainable construction and energy-efficient operations.
• Union Depot, St. Paul, Minnesota-LEED Gold certification under LEED BD+C: This unique transportation hub and mixed-use retail complex highlights its dedication to sustainability through the adaptive reuse of a historic building and a focus on green building practices that include energy-efficient systems.
• Willis Tower, Chicago, Illinois-LEED Platinum recertification under LEED O+M: This towering skyscraper focuses on energy efficiency, water conservation, improved indoor air quality, and sustainable operations and maintenance practices through significant renovations and updates.

South

• Dallas Hall, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas-LEED Gold recertification under LEED O+M: Celebrated for its historic charm and modern sustainability, this academic building integrates energy-efficient systems and environmentally friendly practices while preserving its architectural heritage.
• Fred D. Thompson Courthouse, Nashville, Tennessee-SITES Silver and LEED Gold certification under LEED BD+C: By combining certifications, this modern government building showcases its dedication to energy efficiency and environmentally responsible design.
• Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia-TRUE Platinum and LEED Platinum certification under LEED BD+C: The exciting sports stadium excels in sustainability with dual certifications, reflecting its commitment to both zero waste and green building practices.
• NASA Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida-LEED Silver certification under LEED v4 BD+C: This expansive administration building exemplifies environmental stewardship through advanced sustainability practices and innovative green technologies in its operations and facilities.
• Ponce City Market, Atlanta, Georgia-LEED Gold certification under LEED Interior Design and Construction (ID+C): This unique live-work-shop space showcases its commitment to sustainability by integrating innovative energy-saving technologies and the adaptive reuse of historic structures.
• The Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, North Carolina-LEED Gold certification under LEED O+M v4.1: This modern city-owned convening destination is in the heart of the city center and is central to the city's efforts to decarbonize by adopting high performance building strategies.

West Coast

• Apple Park, Cupertino, California-LEED Platinum certification under LEED BD+C: This innovative corporate campus is one of the world's largest naturally ventilated buildings and operates entirely on renewable energy.
• Kona Village Resort, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii-LEED Gold certification under LEED BD+C: This tranquil resort, built on the grounds of a historic fishing village on the Island of Kahuwai Bay, integrates traditional building methods and modern sustainable design strategies to create a welcoming environment for visitors and locals.
• Meyer Memorial Trust Headquarters, Portland, Oregon-LEED Platinum certification under LEED BD+C: This newly built headquarters features inviting open spaces and an expansive view of downtown Portland and showcases the use of local mass timber throughout.
• Space Needle, Seattle, Washington-LEED Gold certification under LEED ID+C: This emblematic observation tower is a historic renovation project that highlights sustainable design strategies and signage that encourages visitors to adopt sustainable practices.

Let us know what you think

To learn more about certifying a building project with LEED, SITES or TRUE, and to share more about your own favorite iconic building, please take our brief survey.

Reach out in our survey

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