John Hancock's old headquarters earn LEED Gold

Before the Hancock Tower, or the LEED Platinum headquarters in the Seaport District were built, John Hancock was firmly rooted to one block in the Back Bay: first with an eight-story, 428,000 s/f building completed in 1928 at 197 Clarendon followed by a new building in 1949 at 200 Berkeley with 763,000 s/f in 26 floors, topped with a landmark weather beacon. Having a property management group committed to environmental responsibility, John Hancock undertook U.S. Green Building Council LEED Certification for all its Boston offices, and achieved gold with its older gems. In addition to adding a new chiller plant and upgraded lighting (fluorescent bulbs, motion sensors), the properties benefitted from documenting Hancock's existing systems and procedures including an ergonomics program in place which earned the buildings innovation credit. Building on LEED Certification, John Hancock continues to look forward in its commitment to the environment and has just purchased Green-e renewable energy.