In The News
Somerset Square “Tops Out”
Commercial Properties was recently proud to hold the “topping out” of its new office building in Saint John, NB. This refers to the installation of the final piece of structural steel to the building’s structure during construction. Following a builder’s tradition, a tree top was placed on a white painted girder signed by dignitaries and hoisted in place on March 31, 2008.
Located on a long vacant brownfield site in the city’s North End, this 25,000 sq ft building will become a prominent landmark in a busy urban mixed use neighborhood. Jacques Whitford, a leading environmental engineering consulting firm, will be the anchor tenant. In addition, the building will house the corporate offices of Coast Tire.
Somerset Square represents a regional first as it is being built to the exacting Gold standard for LEEDS certified buildings. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEEDS) rating system is sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council to promote independent certification of environmentally responsible buildings. The Somerset Square design includes features such as:
• Energy efficient mechanical systems that recycle waste heat for interior spaces;
• Roof designed to repel summer radiant heat, lowering demand on interior cooling;
• Managed interior and exterior lighting, including greater use of natural light through windows;
• Water management augmented by rainwater collection tanks for grey water;
• Encouragement of pedestrian, bicycle and bus access.
Commercial Properties is excited to be the developer and manager of this property, scheduled to be open Summer 2008.