Bergman Real Estate Group recently added electric vehicle charging stations at 75 Livingston Ave. in Roseland, with more installations scheduled at other properties by the end of 2022. — Courtesy: Bergman
By Joshua Burd
Bergman Real Estate Group has announced a series of new sustainability initiatives across its 2 million-square-foot portfolio of office buildings in New Jersey.
According to the firm, which is based in Woodbridge, the effort comprises everything from changes in cleaning supplies to large investments in renewable energy. Chief among them is a series of new solar arrays this year at 555 Route 1 South in Iselin, 201 West Passaic St. in Rochelle Park, 51 Haddonfield Road in Cherry Hill and 100-110 South Jefferson Road in Whippany, with plans to install panels at other properties as roofs need replacement going forward, thereby baking the projects into its ongoing capital improvements.
“We are making a major commitment to our tenants and our joint venture partners by investing in a cleaner and more environmentally friendly world,” said Steven Bergman, the firm’s chief operating officer. “We want to do as much as we can to be a sustainable partner.”
The new sustainability initiatives are part of the Bergman Cares program launched in 2020, the company said, noting that it’s meant to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of tenant employees. Its solar panel initiative, which has been in development for the last decade, is slated to yield energy savings of nearly 20 percent and add roughly $1 million in value when coupled with the fixed costs of the panels that help it better project cash flow.
“Switching to solar power brings an incredible benefit for our tenants and for Bergman Realty,” he said, adding that the addition of solar panels is paid for with tax credits, generating no out-of-pocket costs for either Bergman or tenants to benefit from renewable energy.
Other plans call for energy-efficient LED lighting and more efficient HVAC controlled by modern building management systems that optimize consumption for better climate control.
“Prioritizing a healthy workplace goes beyond the enhanced HVAC filtration and cleaning procedures — it’s a holistic view that takes into account what’s important for employees and therefore to tenants as their businesses attract talent,” said Michael Bergman, CEO and president of Bergman Real Estate Group. “Offering environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions on a large scale is important for businesses and their employees alike, as they want to work with companies doing their part to support a greener world.”
Through a partnership with forestry nonprofit American Forests, Bergman Real Estate Group also plans to plant trees in each tenant’s name for each new lease signed at any of its properties.
“Through this initiative, we are contributing to a greener planet beyond our campuses,” Steven Bergman said. “And to do so on behalf of our new tenants establishes from the get-go that we are committing to these sustainability initiatives on every level.”
The firm, meantime, is focusing on transportation with the addition of electric vehicle charging stations at 75 Livingston Ave. in Roseland, with more installations scheduled at other properties by the end of 2022, along with bike sharing programs.
“There’s an undeniable, increasing demand from tenants to make electric chargers and other ‘green’ transportation available,” Steven Bergman said. “We are committed to adding more EV stations and expanding the bike sharing program at additional properties.”
