Lillibridge building earns a prestigious ENERGY STAR

43 YEAR OLD SETON MEDICAL PARK TOWER ACHIEVES SUPERIOR ENERGY PERFORMANCE

CHICAGO IL and AUSTIN TX, Feb-11, 2009 – A medical office building (MOB) that is more than four decades old has just been awarded the ENERGY STAR designation by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA). The mark of superior energy performance identifies the building as one of the most efficient in the nation, using 35 percent less energy than average. To date the government-backed program has named fewer than 3,000 office buildings to their list of ENERGY STAR properties, only 21 of which are MOBs.

Chicago-based Lillibridge, one of the nation's largest private healthcare real estate firms, owns and manages the seven-story, 147,000 square foot Seton Medical Park Tower, located on the campus of Seton Medical Center Austin.

"It was quite a challenge to qualify for an ENERGY STAR but we're proud to say that we did it," says Ann Neuweg, Lillibridge Property Manager at Seton Medical Park Tower. "It is especially satisfying to get this designation on a building that is 43 years old. It just proves that at Lillibridge we have a very strong commitment to keep all of our buildings in optimum condition no matter what their age."

One of the major steps that Lillibridge took to increase the building's energy efficiency was a $100,000 lighting retrofit. The company received a $31,000 energy rebate from the city of Austin when they implemented the changes. Both the interior lighting and the lighting in the garage were switched out resulting in an energy savings of 9 percent per month.  In the first year alone the building's energy costs were reduced by $17,000. It is estimated that the initial costs for the retrofit will be recouped in four years.

In order to get designation, a building's owner fills out a portfolio manager form on the ENERGY STAR Web site and inputs facts such as gas ratings and energy ratings. A property receiving 75 points or more for three consecutive months is eligible to apply for an ENERGY STAR. Once the application is made, an independent certified engineer reviews the building and submits the findings. A brass plaque designed for the front entrance is awarded to qualifying buildings.

"Through this achievement we have demonstrated our commitment to environmental stewardship while lowering our energy costs," says Lillibridge Chairman and CEO Todd W. Lillibridge. "We have always been dedicated to providing the highest quality medical office space to all of our tenants.  When we can fulfill this goal while conserving resources, our jobs become even more rewarding."