Syndicate
) December 15, 2008 --
Citi,
a world leader in financial services, announced today that it has
achieved LEED Gold certification from the U.S.
Green Building Council (USGBC) for its new office space at the
Franklin Center in Chicago. Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED)
is the USGBC’s leading rating system for designing and constructing the
world’s greenest, most energy efficient, and high performing buildings.
Citi is a leader in the fight to slow climate change and reduce energy dependence
LEED for Retail: Commercial Interiors pre-certification
The space, which accommodates approximately 100 employees from Citi
businesses including Citi Private Bank, Global Wealth Advisory Services,
and Markets and Banking, incorporates environmentally friendly features
that significantly reduce the company’s environmental footprint.
“The small steps Citi takes can have a giant impact when multiplied by
our 14,000 facilities, our 350,000 employees, and operations in 100
countries,” said Marty Lippert, Citi’s Chief Operations and Technology
Officer. “We’re working to achieve environmental certification for all
of our new office buildings, office space and operations centers around
the world. We have a companywide goal to reduce our greenhouse-gas
emissions by 10% by 2011. This project exemplifies our commitment to
responsible corporate citizenship and efficient, cost-effective business
practices.”
"We’re proud that this new space is LEED compliant, beautiful, conducive
to our business and inviting to our clients,” said Jim Bridgman,
Regional Managing Director of Citi Private Bank. “We are thrilled to be
in this magnificent building, centrally located in the heart of the
Loop, allowing us to meet more easily with our clients and better
partner with our other Citi colleagues."
Citi has more than 2,500 employees in the Greater Chicago Area and more
than 1,000 downtown. The company began a project in 2006 to relocate and
consolidate several business units from six leased locations throughout
the downtown area into two major buildings – the Franklin Center on West
Monroe Street and Citi Center on West Madison. The space in the Franklin
Center that achieved LEED Gold certification was part of the first phase
of this four-phase project.
"Citi is a leader in the fight to slow climate change and reduce energy
dependence," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S.
Green Building Council." While climate change is a global problem,
innovative companies like Citi are addressing it through local
solutions.”
Other Citi projects that have received LEED certification include the
company’s recently constructed office parks in the Dallas-Fort Worth
area, a new 15-story skyscraper in New York City at Two Court Square in
Queens, and a new data center in Georgetown, Texas. Citi also was the
first company to achieve “LEED for Retail: Commercial Interiors
pre-certification” through a USGBC Portfolio Program pilot, meaning that
new Citibank and CitiFinancial branch offices will all be designed in
accordance with a prototype and achieve LEED certification, using the
same environmentally friendly features.
About the U.S. Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council is a nonprofit membership organization
whose vision is a sustainable built environment within a generation. Its
membership includes corporations, builders, universities, government
agencies, and other nonprofit organizations. Since UGSBC’s founding in
1993, the Council has grown to more than 17,000 member companies and
organizations, a comprehensive family of LEED® green building rating
systems, an expansive educational offering, the industry’s popular
Greenbuild International Conference and Expo (www.greenbuildexpo.org),
and a network of 79 local chapters, affiliates, and organizing groups.
For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.
About Citi
Citi, the leading global financial services company, has some 200
million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries,
providing consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a
broad range of financial products and services, including consumer
banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities
brokerage, and wealth management. Citi’s major brand names include
Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Smith Barney, Banamex, and Nikko.
Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com
or www.citi.com.