The Pyramid at 625 West 57th Doesn’t Seek For LEED

Thursday, 06 Sep 2012 05:44 PM

The magical 750-unit “Pyramid” development project at 625 West 57th Street, designed by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, will not stick to the LEED checklist and possibly not receive a proper certification. The developer, The Durst Organization wants to be more innovative and employ its own environmental criteria, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The Durst Organization built the country’s first green skyscraper at 4 Times Square, which is known for housing the NASDAQ market site tower facility as well as a network broadcast studio. Regarding the fact that Durst was the pioneer for the propagation of green buildings in the USA it’s quite a surprising setback for the LEED certification. Douglas Durst, chairman of the company, told the Journal that LEED certification criteria are too costly and confining. Mr. Durst mentioned requirements like the use of recycled water in the toilets.

There’s still a chance to obtain a LEED certification as Rick Fedrizzi, president of the U.S. Green Building Council, said that the council is updating its standards.

See our selection of Manhattan's Top 20 Green Buildings.