US Real Estate Chief Executive: Green Building Certification Provides Strong Competitive Advantage in Tight Commercial Property Market

Estonia's commercial real estate market is undergoing a clear transformation: a building's value is increasingly determined by how thoughtfully and sustainably it has been created. According to Kaarel Loigu, the CEO of US Real Estate, an international green certificate is a very important quality mark that helps a building stand out even in tight competition and preserves its high value over time.

"Companies are looking for more than just space today. They choose environments that support people's well-being. A building's energy efficiency, healthy indoor climate, and smart solutions that create a comfortable and functional work environment become important deciding factors. It is precisely here that a green certificate provides assurance that the building meets high expectations both today and in the future," said US Real Estate CEO Kaarel Loigu.

The process of obtaining a certificate begins for developers already during the building's planning phase. This ensures that every decision, from materials to technical systems, serves the purpose of creating an environment that supports people and lasts for many years.

According to Loigu, the existence of a LEED certificate has become a new norm in real estate development, which directs the creation of more sustainable buildings that have a longer lifespan and whose environmental impact is precisely known.

In the case of the Golden Gate office building located between the Rotermann Quarter and Tallinn Port in Tallinn, the application for LEED green certification began already during the building's planning process, which made it possible to design the building so that meeting the certificate's requirements was an important part of the entire project. When the building was completed, it was recognized with the highest level LEED certificate, the Platinum rating.

"We paid significant attention to the use of environmentally friendly and certified materials during the project implementation. For example, we used materials for a large part of the building's walls where it is precisely known how much energy was required for production and how much pollution was generated," said Loigu.

"The Golden Gate project is of symbolic importance – it is only the sixth building in the last 15 years to have received the highest level of LEED certification, the Platinum rating. What is particularly important is that during the project, the target level was raised from Gold to Platinum, which clearly shows that setting ambitious sustainability goals and changing them even in the middle of the development process is entirely achievable. Golden Gate is also distinguished by a solution where all parking has been moved underground, making it possible to create higher quality urban space and supporting a more sustainable and human-friendly environment," said Jaanika Veldre, head of real estate sustainability at Forus, who served as the building's certification advisor.

An internationally recognized green certificate is becoming a new minimum standard in commercial real estate

According to Loigu, a green certificate today carries a clear message about a building's quality and reliability. It is a practical tool that reflects both the level of development and the building's long-term value.

When awarding a LEED certificate, a building is evaluated in six categories: building energy efficiency and low CO2 footprint, water efficiency, environmentally friendly material selection, healthy indoor climate, location and accessibility, and innovative and smart solutions.

"Sustainability, energy efficiency, accessibility, and overall indoor climate are all important for every commercial real estate tenant, and this has been confirmed by both our current and future partners," said the CEO of US Real Estate.

The total area of the Golden Gate building is 19,500 m2. The entire building design supports a high-quality and smooth work environment. The lighting system responds to movement and external lighting conditions, creating a natural rhythm in the space throughout the day. Cooling panels installed on the ceiling keep the air fresh even in closed offices and ensure a comfortable indoor climate on warmer days.