World's Biggest Green Building

Chicago likes to boast about having the biggest and best of everything. Well, now we can add the satisfaction of having the world's biggest "green" building as well!

Via TreeHugger.com:

For 78 years, Chicago's Merchandise Mart has been the world's largest commercial building; It is also now LEED-EB (existing building) Silver. According to Business Week, "The effort required overhauling decades-old practices and technology, from replacing most of the Mart's 4,000-plus windows and upgrading rusty motors deep in its subbasements to taking better care of dust mops. The reward: At 78 years of age, the Merchandise Mart is now the biggest green building in the world."                                                           

Business Week notes that "the return has been quick: Thanks to the upgrades, utility bills last year fell about 10%, and occupancy rates climbed to 96%, from 77% a decade ago. "We've had a wave of interest," says Christopher G. Kennedy, president of Merchandise Mart Properties and an heir to former building owner Joseph P. Kennedy. "One prospective tenant, who had passed us over, came back because they require a LEED space."

Chicago is dedicated to being forward thinking with sustainability and there are many really exciting projects underway to make the city even more beautiful to enjoy and live in. Check out the rest of the TreeHugger article by following the link.

Postcard image courtesy of TreeHugger.com