Sustainability

The nation’s first LEED-certified century-old, multi-tenant commercial building

The McGough Facility Management team continuously strives to improve Butler Square’s energy efficiency. Here are some recent examples of our sustainability-driven efforts:

Energy Management

Obsolete pneumatic air controls have been replaced with up to date Energy Management controls. These air boxes control the heating and cooling of the building automatically.

Ventilation

A 1980s vintage roof supply fan was replaced with a high-efficiency fan unit. When building fan motors or speed drives fail, only up-to-date, high-efficiency, and rebate qualified replacements are installed.

Emergency Systems

The emergency power system was upgraded to comply with the newest electrical and safety codes. This includes automatic switches for the elevators and emergency lighting.

Heating Systems

A high-efficiency boiler system was installed for the east building, increasing nominal efficiency from 80% to 96% (when in the condensing mode).

Cooling Systems

In 2016, the 1979 vintage cooling system in the west building was replaced with a new modular cooling system. The original pumps were replaced with more energy-efficient ones, adding variable speed ability to cut energy use. The new system uses a non-CFC refrigerant which is environmentally friendly, cutting CGS bearing refrigerants to near zero.

Water

The building continues to replace toilets as they fail from 3.5 gallon flush to 1.6 gallon flush toilets.

Lighting

Antiquated time clocks were replaced by a state-of-the-art Control 4 Lighting Control System for common area and outside lighting by a set schedule or light-level sensors.

Since 2012, tenant spaces, common areas and exterior lights continue to be re-lamped and retrofitted with up-to-date, energy-efficient fixtures and bulbs. In 2020, the atrium lighting was upgraded.

Cleaning & Recycling

Janitorial Green Cleaning practices and products are used wherever possible. Paper products are within green compliant guidelines.

The building also offers composting options.

Annually, the building hosts a tenant-wide recycling event to help divert these items from landfills.

  • LEED Silver

    In 2015 ,Butler Square was awarded LEED SILVER designation by the the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Butler Square is the oldest building in Minnesota and Midwest to achieve LEED certification.

  • LEED Operations & Maintenance

    In 2009, Butler Square became the first century-old, multi-tenant commercial building in the nation to receive LEED O&M (Existing Building) certification.

  • WELL Health-Safety Rating

    In 2022, Butler Square became WELL Health-Safety Rating through the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all new and existing building and space types focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans to address the environment now and into the future.

Recognition

Awards and nominations for Butler Square’s commitment to sustainability efforts

WELL HEALTH-SAFETY RATING

Butler Square has earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating through the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all new and existing building and space types focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans to address a post-COVID-19 environment now and into the future.

Butler Square received this status by taking the necessary steps to prioritize the health and safety of our tenants, visitors, and staff. The WELL Health-Safety Rating will assist tenant spaces for re-entry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, instilling confidence in those who come through the building as well as the broader community.

BOMA 360

Earning the prestigious BOMA 360 label demonstrates that a building is outperforming the competition across all areas of operations and management. Designees report the program helped them achieve operational efficiencies as well as higher levels of tenant satisfaction.

Energy Star Certified

Consistently earning the Energy Star designation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which recognizes the “superior energy efficiency” of the building and its operations. Butler Square has earned the Energy Star designation each year since 2008. In 2021, Butler Square earned a score of 90.

2018 Outstanding Energy Performance Award

The Minneapolis Building Energy Challenge was a city-wide program challenging large commercial buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 15% from a 2014 baseline. Butler Square surpassed this goal with emission reductions totaling 28% since 2014, prompting this prestigious award in 2018. Please reference the Building Initiatives section above to read how this has been accomplished. More information


2017 Outstanding Energy Performance Award

On Nov. 2nd, 2017, the City of Minneapolis and building owners and management teams celebrated the second year of the Minneapolis Building Energy Challenge. Butler Square won the Outstanding Energy Performance Award. Butler Square's energy use per square foot (50kBtu/sqft), the lowest of any building in the Challenge is outstanding on its own, and is even more impressive knowing the building is over 100 years old. More information


Commuter Choice Awards 2017

Butler Square wins Honorable Mention for Building Owner/Management Company Of The Year. The Commuter Choice Awards acknowledge programs and projects that improve commuter mobility in the Twin Cities. Butler Square was recognized for the promotion of sustainable behaviors and raising awareness and encouraging its tenants to use alternative transportation such as walking, biking, and using nearby public transportation instead of driving to work.