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2007 : BAUM REALTY GROUP GROWS GREEN Baum Realty Group to Expand Offices into New Green Space December 2007 Baum Realty Group, LLC (BRG), a Chicago-based real estate firm, will soon occupy an additional 9,600 square feet of green office space on the second floor of 1030 West Chicago Avenue. From floor to ceiling and from wall to wall, the new suite of offices will feature a uniquely green design and will be constructed using a wide array of eco-friendly products. “Our goal was to create a healthy, well-lit working environment that will encourage positive moral, increase productivity and promote a sense of well-being among our team members,” says Adam Secher, BRG Principal overseeing the office renovation. Providing a green office environment has a direct correlation to increases in employee productivity, according to a study by Gregory H. Kats, a leading expert on green buildings. The study notes that an average increase of 3.4% can be gained when individual control over ventilation, temperature and lighting are addressed. Kats notes that even a 1.5% increase in productivity is equal to $1,000 per year or $4 - $5 per square foot per year. From design through construction to the final finishing touches, the office renovation closely followed LEED-CI (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Commercial Interiors) standards employing every opportunity to incorporate sustainable materials. With the rapid expansion of the green marketplace, supply seems to be meeting demand as the eco-friendly options available for commercial renovations are now plentiful and more affordable than in years past. The architectural firm McBride, Kelley and Baurer, known for creating environmentally sustainable design solutions, provided the site design. The new BRG offices will feature a loft-style setting, requiring the minimal amount of build-out materials and resources, as well as ceilings coated in bright white paint to maximize the reflection of natural light. In addition, the individual private offices will be located in the center of the office while the cubicles will surround the exterior wall of windows, allowing the majority of employees to benefit from natural light. A deck will also be added to further promote employee well-being by offering immediate proximity to the outdoors despite the second floor location. Creating energy efficiencies was also a top priority and will be achieved with the use of compact fluorescent lighting and occupancy sensors that will automatically turn off lights in unoccupied rooms. The original HVAC system was completely overhauled to supply energy efficiencies and savings. In addition, all appliances will be Energy Star certified, all sinks will feature low flow faucets and the bathrooms will have XCelerator high speed hand dryers, eliminating the need for paper towels and the associated waste. The office decor, from window sunshades to Low-VOC paints and from countertops to carpet, will be comprised of eco-friendly materials. Even the furniture, including conference room tables, cube systems, office desks and chairs are sustainable. In keeping with the green physical surroundings, an eco-friendly lifestyle will also be encouraged at the office. The kitchen will be devoid of disposable products to cut down on waste. The cabinets will be made from sustainable materials and will be chemical free (traditional cabinets use formaldehyde that off-gas). Instead, the cabinets will be filled with ceramic coffee mugs, Baum water bottles, and the drawers with flatware in lieu of plastic forks and knives. The kitchen will also have a built-in 4-bin recycling system and individual recycling bins will be stationed at every desk. “For some time we’ve been learning what it means to be green: how to build green and how to integrate eco-friendly practices into our daily office routine, says David Baum, President of BRG. “We wanted to put our knowledge to work and take it to the next level when it came to renovating our additional office space.” Baum Realty Group, LLC is an award winning retail leasing and investment sales company founded by David and Douglas Baum in 1991. Chicago’s premier retail real estate firm, Baum provides comprehensive Tenant Representation, Third-Party Landlord Leasing and Investment Sales services. Its diverse clientele includes top property owners as well as prestigious national, regional and local tenants. Baum Development LLC, responsible for the renovation of the new BRG offices, is a comprehensive real estate development company specializing in the acquisition and redevelopment of underutilized properties. Baum Development’s expertise in adaptive reuse and acclaim for the preservation of historic landmarks allows the company to execute projects successfully in areas of real estate previously considered unstable, including such notable projects as Green Exchange. Green Exchange is the first green business community of its kind committed exclusively to environmental sustainability, profit and positive social impact. The building itself, a landmark renovation aspiring to LEED Platinum certification, will house a mix of like-minded businesses offering a unique collection of leading edge products and services to environmentally conscientious consumers. Green Exchange is a convergence point for the green community to share best practices, network and provide an environment actively fostering tenant success. Green Exchange seeks to broaden the sustainable business marketplace from niche to mainstream and further Chicago’s efforts to become the greenest city in the United States. |
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1030 W. Chicago Avenue :: Suite 200 :: Chicago, IL :: 60642 :: P: 312.666.3000 :: F: 312.666.7970 :: info@baumrealty.com |
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