Managing Office Buildings for the 21st Century

Adobe Systems partners with Cushman & Wakefield to manage its properties, C&W being one of the largest 3rd party managers of corporate real estate in the world. After a 5-year program of investment in energy management and related conservation projects, in June 2006, Adobe’s West Tower became the first building to be certified at the platinum level in the U.S. Green Building Council’s permanent LEED-EB program for Green Buildings. Adobe is now the first organization in the world to have three platinum-level Green Building certifications.

Cushman & Wakefield, on Adobe’s behalf, spent $1.4 million on 72 projects, resulting in annual savings of $1.2 million. Combining the savings with rebates from local and state agencies, C&W delivered a return on investment of 121%. Lighting and load management modifications, equipment retrofits, water and waste management practices, indoor air quality, and other practices will be discussed in this presentation. Green Buildings improve operating efficiency, reduce operating costs, provide a healthier work environment, and, all things considered, they are more sustainable.

Presenter(s)

George Denise is General Manager for facilities for Cushman & Wakefield, overseeing Adobe Systems Incorporated's headquarters buildings in Northern California. His portfolio includes three high-rise office buildings in San Jose and three mid-rise buildings in San Francisco. Together, they total 1.4 million square feet. All three properties in San Jose are certified as Green Buildings at the platinum level. The San Francisco properties are currently in the process of being certified.

Mr. Denise is also Cushman & Wakefield's Western Region Energy Committee Chairman and Green Building Specialist.

Mr. Denise has been a property manager for 27 years, employed by Cushman & Wakefield for the past 17 years. He is a graduate of San Francisco State University with a BA in Psychology, a Certified Facilities Manager (FMA) through the International Facilities Management Association, a Certified Property Manager (CPM) through the Institute of Real Estate Management, and a Facilities Management Administrator (FMA) and a Real Property Administrator (RPA) through the Building Owners and Managers Association.