New Year, New (Existing) Building REcertifications

evolveEA closed out 2024 with a triple threat of successful projects achieving recertifications, demonstrating commitments to green and healthy building management. These certifications highlight our clients’ leadership in adopting innovative strategies that prioritize occupant wellness and sustainable operations in existing buildings.

411 Seventh Avenue, managed by Oxford Development Company, achieved its highest ENERGY STAR rating yet, earning a score of 87 awarded in January 2025 for the 2024 reporting year. This historic structure exemplifies how operational excellence and environmental stewardship can coexist, even in older properties. By optimizing energy performance, the building continues to serve as a model for energy-efficient operations, placing it among the top 13% of buildings nationwide.

Also awarded in January 2025, Desmone Architects upgraded their WELL certification from WELL v1 to WELL v2 Gold for their Pittsburgh office in Lawrenceville. This achievement is a shining example of how thoughtful design and operational policies can directly support occupant health. A local performance verifier was engaged and we witnessed on-site performance testing to ensure that critical indoor parameters, such as air quality, sound, and water quality, remain at optimal levels. This enhanced certification underscores Desmone’s proactive approach to fostering a workplace that prioritizes wellness and productivity while advancing their commitment to higher health standards.

In November 2024, the US Steel Tower, managed by Winthrop Management, earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating seal for another consecutive year, reinforcing its dedication to evidence-based health and wellness practices. As the largest building in Pittsburgh to achieve this recognition, the US Steel Tower demonstrates how operational policies, such as enhanced cleaning protocols, improved air quality measures, and emergency preparedness can support occupant health and safety. The WELL Health-Safety Rating seal, prominently displayed at the building, serves as a recognizable mark of its commitment to health for all who enter. With a QR code that links to a webpage outlining health and safety efforts, the seal ensures transparency and helps occupants and visitors better understand the building’s initiatives. This is the 18th noteworthy certification that evolve has managed at the US Steel Tower

These three recertifications reflect the power of integrating healthy design principles with operational excellence. By prioritizing both environmental sustainability and occupant wellness, these projects set a benchmark for building performance in Pittsburgh and beyond, demonstrating how thoughtful management can lead to healthier, more sustainable environments.