PHILADELPHIA, April 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- GlaxoSmithKline (@GSKUS) officially opened its new double LEED platinum certified facility in Philadelphia's Navy Yard Corporate Center today, ushering in a new era of how people work in Philadelphia. Employees, families and friends will celebrate and attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony with GSK President of North America Pharmaceuticals Deirdre Connelly, Liberty Property Trust Chief Executive Officer Bill Hankowsky, Synterra Partners Principal Bill Wilson, design architect Robert A.M. Stern, workplace strategist and interior architect Francis Cauffman Principal John Campbell and Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter.

"Our new work space is designed to inspire and connect people," says Deirdre Connelly, President, North America Pharmaceuticals, GSK."My teammates and I are energized by this new environment, where we can do our best work and collaborate without the constraints of office walls."

The 208,000 square foot building at Five Crescent Drive represents an $80 million investment by Liberty Property/Synterra, and an investment of approximately $70 million by GSK. GSK has signed a 15.5-year lease at the building, which includes a four-story central atrium, a monumental stairway, a coffee shop, cafeteria, fitness center, meeting centers and a large multi-purpose room.

"GSK's new facility reflects the reality of The Navy Yard: it is a Philadelphia magnet for creative, forward-looking companies," said Bill Hankowsky, Chief Executive Officer, Liberty Property Trust. "Innovation and growth are now synonymous with this dynamic environment."

The four-story, glass-encased building with an open floor plan and grand central staircase has been awarded both Core & Shell and Commercial Interiors LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. It is the first double LEED Platinum building in Philadelphia. It is anticipated that the innovative building systems will save as much as 30% of energy use when compared to a traditional building.

These substantial energy savings are the result of the state-of-the-art building facade and high-performance glass which maximize daylight in winter while reducing heat gain and providing shading in summer. ENERGY STAR-rated lighting and equipment, as well as an astronomical time clock and cloud sensor program, activate the automatic shades on windows to control glare. In addition smart meters track and monitor the building's energy and water use and provide ongoing accountability for utility consumption and performance.

"It was GSK's commitment to Philadelphia that put The Navy Yard well over the 10,000 employee mark," said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. "Just 18 months ago we stood here to break ground on this project, and I am thrilled to be here today to celebrate the grand opening of one of the most innovative, healthy, and green work spaces in the US."

"Five Crescent Drive is the happy product of our collaboration with GSK, Liberty Property Trust, and Synterra," said Robert A.M. Stern, founder and senior partner of Robert A.M. Stern Architects This high-performance, light-flooded building, the last and most consequential building block to the Navy Yard's gateway crescent, is an innovative working environment with loft-like interiors opening off a dramatic, street-like atrium that will bring employees together even as it brings the outdoors in."

Sweeping views of Philadelphia are accessible from nearly 90% of the workspaces. In the office-less layout, employees are located in "neighborhoods" and can work in a variety of settings throughout the day. These include custom-designed sit-to-stand workstations, team tables, meeting areas, social areas with soft seating, and quiet rooms.

"Francis Cauffman is very excited to see employees working and interacting throughout the entire building, and to hear the highly positive employee response to their new workplace," said John B. Campbell, LEED AP, AIA, RIBA, Principal-in-Charge of Workplace Strategies at Francis Cauffman. "By creating an open and healthy workplace environment focused on providing the right physical and IT tools with a wide variety of work settings throughout the building, the new workplace has transformed the level of energy, engagement and connectivity across the organization."

Read this article:

GlaxoSmithKline and Liberty Property Trust/Synterra Partners Transform the Work Environment with the Opening of Five ...