Cushman & Wakefield, in collaboration with the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s (NEEA) BetterBricks initiative, today released comprehensive profiles of four major U.S. cities, analyzed in relation to their high ranking performances in the 2011 Green Building Opportunity Index. The index is a first of its kind market assessment tool providing weighted comparisons of top U.S. office markets on the basis of real estate fundamentals and green assessment considerations.

“In response to positive feedback and powerful demand from our clients for a more comprehensive look at green building opportunities in the U.S., we are delighted to present a more intensive analysis of the top ranked cities,” said Theddi Wright Chappell, senior managing director and national practice leader of Cushman & Wakefield’s U.S. Green Advisory Practice. “Market specific incentives for green building investment continuously change on a geographic basis. To keep pace, our profile reports were designed to function as an important tool for corporate occupiers and investors who need to stay current on the financial and environmental benefits of green building in specific U.S. markets.”

First published in 2010, the index compares each U.S. market’s relative position to its peers in six categories, Office Market Conditions, Investment Outlook, Green Adoption & Implementation, Mandates & Incentives, State Energy Initiatives and Green Culture. The profiles released today for San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Boston, yield more in-depth views into the factors influencing successful development, green retro-fitting, leasing and sales of investment grade office buildings. A previous GBOI Profile Report for New York Midtown, which ranked second in the index, was published last year.

Cushman & Wakefield and NEEA’s Green Building Opportunity Index ranks each market on a broad range of factors, in addition to the number of Energy Star labeled and LEED certified buildings. 

For further information on the Green Building Opportunity index and the individual market profiles released today, please visit the following links: 

2011 Green Building Opportunity Index (GBOI) 

Green Building Opportunity Index Profile Reports – San Francisco

Green Building Opportunity Index Profile Reports – Los Angeles

Green Building Opportunity Index Profile Reports – Washington, D.C.

Green Building Opportunity Index Profile Reports – Boston 

The top 10 overall markets referenced in the 2011 Green Building Opportunity Index are:

1. San Francisco

2. Midtown NY

3. Washington, D.C.

4. Midtown South NY

5. Los Angeles

6. Boston

7. Downtown NY

8. Portland

9. Seattle

10. Oakland