50 Connaught Road Central, a new Grade A office building in Hong Kong's Central hub, has received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) recognition awarded by the US Green Building Council and becomes the first completed LEED property in Hong Kong.

LEED is an internationally-recognised green building certification system developed by the US Green Building Council providing a framework for implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. LEED certification provides independent verification that a building was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance. Participation in LEED gives building owners the tools to have a measurable impact on performance, demonstrating leadership, innovation, environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

This award is received at a time when 50 Connaught Road Central achieves yet another milestone of 70 percent commitment. "With the interest we have received to date we fully expect 50 Connaught Road Central to be leased straight after the Lunar New Year," said Nigel Smith, executive director of Landlord Project Services for CBRE Asia who is leasing the building. "Inspections have never slowed down since we started marketing the building and it is clear to us that the floor area and unique features are exactly what tenants are looking for," he added.

Committed and prospective tenants have indicated that the opportunity of occupying a whole floor, rather than being one of the several tenants on a larger floor plate, offers them the option of exclusivity. Key benefits mentioned also include a high profile image, full height glazing, natural light and open views.