Unilever’s new 325,000-square-foot U.S. headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, developed by EDGE Technologies and Normandy Real Estate Partners, incorporates smart technology and other features in order to make the complex healthier, more sustainable and more energy-efficient. – Courtesy: EDGE Technologies/Normandy
By Joshua Burd
A new corporate campus in Bergen County and two upscale, environmentally conscious condominium projects will be among the top honorees this year at an annual gala hosted by the U.S. Green Building Council’s New Jersey chapter.
The organization announced that it will celebrate nine New Jersey projects at the May 22 event in New Brunswick. Those projects include Unilever’s recently unveiled North American headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, a 325,000-square-foot campus that combines modern design and smart building technology with sustainable, energy-efficient construction.
USGBC NJ will honor the complex as its LEED Project of the Year in the commercial category, a reference to the organization’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design scale.
The chapter will also showcase a returning honoree, Bijou Properties, and others involved the development of Candela Lofts, a collection of nine upscale condos in northwest Hoboken. Located at 1024 Adams St., the project was built to achieve what’s known as a Passive House standard, which largely centers on construction that results in ultra-low energy needs, and will receive the LEED Project of the Year in the residential category.
Another condo property, Chartier Group’s mixed-use development at 913 New York Ave. in Union City, is also set to receive a LEED Project of the Year award. The four-story building features ground-floor retail and three, large family-friendly homes that were designed to easily accommodate a home office and create a live-work opportunity.
“The Annual Awards Gala is a stellar event,” said NK Architects Principal Daniel Topping, who serves as USGBC NJ’s board chairman. “It is our opportunity to celebrate innovative green New Jersey projects, while networking and financially supporting the mission of USGBC NJ.
“This year’s winners are exciting and inspiring. They range from corporate campuses, higher education facilities, sustainably built residential projects, a comprehensive green cleaning initiative and an urban resiliency park.”
The other honorees include:
- Innovative Practices/Innovative Project of the Year: Achievement in Sustainability Through Janitorial Services (SBM Management Services)
- LEED Project of the Year (Schools): Frank J. Gargiulo Campus, Hudson County Schools of Technology, Secaucus
- Honorable Mention (Commercial Community Dedication): Subaru of America headquarters, Camden
- Honorable Mention (Commercial LEED Zero Initiative): Colgate-Palmolive Burlington Driving Towards LEED Zero
- Honorable Mention (Sustainable Practices Storm and Public Space Resiliency): 700 Jackson Redevelopment & Resiliency Park, Hoboken
- Honorable Mention (Sustainable Schools): Center for Environmental & Life Sciences, Montclair State University
Additional descriptions of the honorees and their project teams are available here.
This year’s USGBC NJ awards gala will take place on Wednesday, May 22, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick.
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