As King Street Properties (KSP) continues to build the world’s first multi-tenant, purpose-built biomanufacturing and clean energy campus in Devens, we sat down with KSP’s own Julie Farrer, Senior Associate, and their sustainability consultant and USGBC LEED Accredited Professional Samira Ahmadi of enviENERGY, to talk about King Street’s work on the 45-acre, 750,000 square-foot project and how their work is helping to advance the sustainable redevelopment goals of Devens.
- Tell us about your company and mission.
King Street Properties is focused on serving the complex real estate needs of science-based companies and institutions. Our mission is to provide space solutions for companies whose missions inspire us. We developed Pathway, a customizable real estate solution to remove real estate obstacles that companies face when considering their advanced manufacturing, drug development, and clean energy options. Pathway allows King Street’s partners to focus on their quest to better the world.
- How important is sustainability to your business?
For King Street, sustainability goes beyond regulatory compliance. We see sustainable design as critical to both environmental responsibility and long-term asset value. Incorporating energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials, and designing healthy spaces not only enhance the project esthetic and performance but also aligns with market demands for stainable and resilient buildings. We prioritize holistic strategies that enhance building energy performance and occupant wellness.
The design and layout of our campuses and buildings is future-focused, with highly energy efficient building designs and low-impact development techniques that minimize urban heat island impacts while providing green infrastructure connections and localized groundwater recharge. Other features include highly efficient mechanical and lighting systems, both of which reduce energy consumption and enhance occupant comfort. These measures make our buildings and campus more resilient and adaptable to the impacts of climate change.
- Has Devens helped you meet any of your goals?
The robust infrastructure, access, utilities and community support in Devens were a perfect environment for the growth and innovation that we were looking for. One of our goals is to create connections and transportation options for our tenants and we were able to prioritize this at Devens. We had the ability to connect into the Devens shuttle network, coupled with the multi-purpose trails we constructed that connect the Pathway campus to the overall Devens trail network, sidewalk, and bike lanes, which helps provide multiple commuting and recreational options for our tenants.
- Why did you choose to pursue LEED certification and what key efficiency measures were made to meet LEED standards?
KSP pursued LEED certification as part of our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. By following the LEED framework, we aimed to reduce environmental impact, improve energy efficiency, and create healthier spaces for tenants, all while aligning with global best practices in green building.
The Canteen/Amenity building is the first building on the Pathway Devens campus to receive LEED Certification from the US Green Building Council. Energy efficiency measures were a high priority. Operational and embodied carbon were evaluated by enviEnergy and a Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted for the envelope and structure to help ensure a lower building carbon footprint. Use of materials inside the building was also a consideration to help reduce toxicity, off-gassing, and provide better indoor air quality. Interior finishes and furnishings were evaluated using Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) which are products and materials for which life-cycle information is available and that have environmentally, economically, and socially preferable life-cycle impacts. Interior finishes were also evaluated for their health impacts by selecting products that have a Health Product Declaration or HPD, which is a listing of all the substances in specific building materials. EPD’s and HPD’s help projects choose more environmentally friendly products and avoid Red List chemicals.
Today, hundreds of workers can enjoy the amenity building on a daily basis.
- Do you think that working through the permitting process with DEC supported reaching your LEED certification targets? If so, how?
Definitely! The DEC’s unique unified and expedited permitting process provided King Street with a level of certainty that helped streamline the development process. While some of the regulations required the implementation of additional measures for energy efficiency, landscaping, and stormwater management, the overall flexibility of the regulatory process resulted in a project that is successful for both us and Devens.
- Has the sustainable business culture of Devens contributed to your success here?
Yes, Devens has been a great part of the success at Pathway Devens and together we’ve created a supportive ecosystem for innovation. This culture not only helps King Street meet our goals, but also enhances collaboration for all partners in the area.
The eco-industrial development elements within Devens – businesses and organizations working together as a system of industries to maximize efficiencies and minimize waste – is beneficial for both our campus and our tenants.
- What is next for King Street Properties?
KSP is exploring energy benchmarking on existing building performance, using the ARC platform from the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) and USGBC. This will help us target where we can focus reduction strategies to maximize carbon reduction. Through our sustainability consultant, KSP is looking at other third-party certification programs such as fitwel and WELL – programs focusing on healthier building design and operations that create more healthy environments for tenants and future tenants. Within Devens, we are excited to have work underway for phase 2 of Pathway Devens, which will deliver the final two buildings on the Pathway campus. The next building, 75 Jackson, will be ready for tenant improvements next year and the team looks forward to welcoming new tenants to Devens.
Thanks to Julie and Samira for their time and sharing their experiences and work that is all contributing to the Devens Forward movement!