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Willis Tower becomes the largest US building to achieve LEED Platinum Certification

The Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower, went from Gold to Platinum LEED certification by implementing energy efficient upgrades such as LED light fixtures.

January 7, 2020  By  Megan Hoegler


The Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower, in Chicago is now the largest building in the U.S. to earn LEED Platinum Certification.

The 110-storey office building earned LEED Gold in 2018 and through energy improvements such as an updated HVAC system and LED light installations, achieved Platinum Certification later the same year.

In partnership with Rivion, a Wisconsin-based energy consulting firm, EQ improved the building’s environmental quality through a number of building enhancements, including replacing electric hot-water generators with natural gas hot-water boilers and Installing low-flow high-efficiency sink faucets, toilets and urinals, which is expected to cut approximately 30 per cent of the building’s water consumption (11 million gallons annually).

Willis Tower is in the middle of an exciting evolution,” said David Moore, Senior Vice President and Portfolio Director, EQ Office, in a release. “Our tenants and their employees are passionate about working in offices where sustainability is a priority, and we’re proud that our commitment to sustainability, which extends throughout our portfolio, has earned Willis Tower the prestigious LEED Platinum certification.”

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Willis Tower is currently undergoing a $500 million USD renovation, the biggest restorative transformation in the building’s 46-year history.  The renovations consist of 125,000 square feet of tenant-exclusive amenities, as well as the addition of Catalog, the 300,000 square foot retail, dining and entertainment experience at the base of Willis Tower and the soon-to-open 30,000 square foot outdoor deck and garden.


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