Uniland Development Company, a leading builder, developer, owner and manager of commercial real estate in Western New York, and Delaware North, a leading global hospitality company, today announced that The Delaware North Building, Delaware North’s global headquarters at 250 Delaware Ave. in Buffalo, New York, has been certified as a LEED Silver building by the U.S. Green Building Council.
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used “green building” rating system in the world. It is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement.
This accreditation recognizes the best-in-class green building strategies and practices used in the development and ongoing operation of The Delaware North Building, a 12-story, 353,296-square-foot mixed-use building in the heart of Buffalo’s Central Business District. These include the building’s erosion, sedimentation control and brownfield remediation plans and recycling of construction materials during its development. The Delaware North Building’s indoor air quality monitoring systems, storm water management and heating, cooling and ventilation systems contribute to environmentally sustainable building operations.
In addition to housing Delaware North’s global headquarters, the inspiring building also includes The Westin Buffalo hotel (owned and operated by Delaware North), a pair of Delaware North company-owned-and-operated restaurants (a newly renovated Patina 250 and Jake’s Café), Class A office space, an adjacent parking garage and underground parking.
The Delaware North Building’s LEED Silver certification marks a remarkable transformation of the two acres at the corner of Delaware Avenue and Chippewa Street from a former New York State Brownfield site into a haven for sustainability, economic development and innovation in Buffalo.
Global Sustainability Starting in Buffalo
A hallmark of the new Buffalo, The Delaware North Building embodies sustainability as a corporate responsibility. For Uniland, that means incorporating elements of sustainable design into every project. For Delaware North, that means putting environmental management at the forefront of its global hospitality operations.
To achieve LEED Silver certification, the project had to incorporate 15 sustainable features, which were thoroughly documented and validated by the U.S. Green Building Council. The complex has a low carbon footprint due to its high-density use in a walkable neighborhood with mass transportation access. Employees in the building are encouraged to cycle to work and park their bikes in the covered bike racks, with onsite shower facilities available for their use. The building also has a thorough mixed recycling program.
Through its proprietary stewardship program, GreenPath®, Delaware North has long placed an emphasis on environmental management at each of its 200-plus operating locations around the world. GreenPath sets strict guidelines for energy and water consumption, waste management and other standards. Since its inception in the 1990s, GreenPath has won dozens of awards from the likes of NASA, the National Park Service, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Travel Association.
Largest Living Wall in Western New York
In the 2,000-square-foot lobby, a 21-by-22-square-foot living plant wall, the largest in Western New York, filters the air and uses a reclaimable self-watering system. The plant wall has received the Green Wall Award from I-Plants Magazine. Behind the lobby and beside The Westin Buffalo’s reception area, which includes a smaller living plant wall, is a multipurpose and landscaped courtyard. Plantings of shrubs, trees, seasonal flowers and a water feature provide an urban oasis and outdoor entertaining space for visitors. Landscaped terraces and outdoor walkways adorn the 12th floor, as well.
An Economic Engine
The Delaware North Building has advanced economic development, tax revenue and job opportunities in Buffalo. The creation of world-class facilities for Delaware North has retained and strengthened its global headquarters operations locally, which includes roughly 500 employees. The Westin Buffalo is advancing the city’s growing tourism industry, and Patina 250 and Jake’s Café are popular dining choices in downtown’s food arena. In the building’s first decade of operation, the City of Buffalo will realize an estimated $4.8 million in new tax revenue for the project. Erie County estimates the project will have an economic impact of $650 million during this period in tax payments, additional private investment and ancillary economic activity.
A Hub of Innovation
The Delaware North Building has advanced environmentally sustainable buildings operations for Uniland at the complex as well as its other properties in the Buffalo-Rochester corridor. Best practices and experiences from the development of the building have helped shape subsequent Uniland projects, notably in regard to the design, construction and property management of its portfolio.
For Delaware North, its namesake building incorporates innovation around every corner. The Class A office space operates on large floor plates to afford increased collaboration and seamless business interaction among teams. State-of-the-art conference facilities and meeting spaces host associates, business partners and officials from around the world, and forward-thinking office layouts create a productive work environment. In addition, The Westin Buffalo and Patina 250 both serve as centers of excellence to educate and train the company’s global hotel, food and beverage, and retail associates.
A Transformative Project
Executives from Uniland and Delaware North are proud of the success of The Delaware North Building.
“This project has helped transform this section of Delaware Avenue into a vibrant area with residences, hotels and businesses that generate constant activity,” said Michael J. Montante, Uniland Vice President. “This LEED Silver status represents the level of planning, design, construction and operation that makes The Delaware North Building a modern addition to Buffalo’s great architectural landscape.”
“As a global hospitality company, Delaware North’s reach includes 55,000 associates and spans four continents – but our roots remain firmly planted in downtown Buffalo,” said Dan Zimmer, Vice President of Corporate Finance and Development for Delaware North. “Delaware North has always placed great importance on innovation and forward thinking, and we’re proud to have a state-of-the-art, LEED Silver building bearing our name along the city’s skyline.”
Award-Winning Results
Since opening in the fall of 2015 to mark Delaware North’s centennial year, The Delaware North Building has become one of the most lauded developments in Buffalo.
Accolades have included:
- Award for Excellence in Mixed-Use Development by the New York State Urban Land Institute
- Golden Brick Award for Building of the Year by Buffalo Business First
- Best Looking New Building by Buffalo Spree Magazine
- Project of the Year by Building Owners and Managers Association
- Award of Excellence by NAIOP (Commercial Real Estate Development Association)
- Hotel of the Year for The Westin Buffalo by Marriott International
As an inspiring symbol of progress, The Delaware North Building has been highlighted in Urban Land Magazine, the Urban Land Institute’s flagship publication, as well as videos by Visit Buffalo Niagara, Invest Buffalo Niagara and the City of Buffalo, among others.
