525 Golden Gate Avenue
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC) headquarters is at 525 Golden Gate Avenue. In 2012, the building achieved LEED Platinum rating from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
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Building Facts and Sustainability
Building Facts
- Building open in 2012.
- 13-story Class A office building.
- 277,500 square feet.
- Approximately 40% of project construction work performed by San Francisco residents.
- Construction costs: $146.5 million.
- Total project costs (includes moving, design, permitting, etc.): $201.6 million.
- $3.7 billion in ratepayer savings over the 100-year building lifespan.
Sustainability
- Consumes less energy than similarly-sized office buildings.
- An integrated, hybrid solar array.
- A state-of-the-art raised flooring system incorporates the building’s data and ventilation infrastructure and reduces heating, cooling and ventilation energy costs.
- Maximizing daylight harvesting saves electricity and minimizes artificial lighting.
- Lighting and work station equipment shutoff automatically after-hours.
- Carbon footprint is less than similarly-sized office buildings.
- Green concrete mixture using environmentally friendly materials.
- Extensive use of recycled materials throughout the building.
Building Partners
- San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
- San Francisco Department of Public Works
- KMD | Stevens, JV
- Webcor Builders
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Unique Seismic Safety Features
- The building’s core contains innovative post tension systems that allow the entire structure to move and absorb energy during a seismic event, much like a suspension bridge.
- Not only is 525 Golden Gate immediately available for occupancy after an earthquake, the unique concrete shear walls running vertically through the building was designed to minimize damage.
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Ratepayer Savings
- Over the 100-year lifespan of the building, 525 Golden Gate will save ratepayers money.
- In total, asset/building ownership will realize future ratepayers approximately $3.7 billion in savings over the expected useful life of the building; that’s $500 million in 2011 dollars.
- In 26 years, owning 525 Golden Gate will become cheaper than renting.
- Building ownership insulates ratepayers from the expensive, and often, unpredictable San Francisco office-space rental market.