Sustainability - Ashforth

The Ashforth Company’s Environmental Mission

We will be stewards of our environment by taking responsible actions
in our business, community and personal lives.

The Ashforth Company is committed to continuously assessing and improving our sustainability efforts. We believe our efficient building management systems and equipment, amenities, and our organization-wide, environmentally responsible management approach will increase Ashforth’s value, add value to our clients and aid in preserving the environment for future generations.

Through the guidance of our company leaders and Ashforth’s Green Council, our goal is to provide operational excellence by increasing the efficiency of our human and natural resources while at the same time reducing our impact on the environment. We have a long legacy in conservation, reducing energy and water usage, incorporating green products and improving air quality. Ashforth has been a leader in adopting energy saving practices throughout our real estate portfolio and encouraging our tenants, vendors, and owners we work with to do the same.

1999: Ashforth launched its eco initiative, with the goals of reducing environmental impact, increasing efficiency, and creating healthier work conditions.
2001: Lloyd Center Tower won BOMA’s Earth Award
2001: A.P. Construction installed a geothermal heating system as part of the historical restoration of the Soundwaters headquarters.
2002: Ashforth honored with the City of Portland’s BEST Award for environmental achievements.
2003: A.P. Construction incorporated sustainable practices and materials at Greenwich Audubon Society headquarters.
2005: Ashforth formed the Ashforth Green Council, a committee tasked with finding ways of making the company more sustainable.
2005: Ashforth was awarded the BOMA Earth Award for 707 Summer Street.
2007: Ashforth installed a new chiller at Greenwich Plaza, which saves $40,000/year in energy costs.
2008: Liberty Centre achieved LEED-EB Silver certification for sustainable management practices.
2009: The Orrick Building earns BOMA’s Earth Award for 2009 and 2010.
2009: A.P. Construction completed the LEED Gold certified Darien Library.
2009: Ashforth began its annual week-long Earth Day event, offering Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe Drive, e-cycling and a book donation drive.
2010: The Orrick Building achieved LEED-EB Platinum certification – becoming the highest ranked LEED Platinum building in the country.
2011: Ashforth installs one of the first plug-in electric vehicle chargers in Connecticut.
2014: A.P. Construction completed the LEED Silver certified Trumbull High School, a four-year, “renovate-as-new”, 330,000 sf project.
2014: Ashforth introduced a pilot farm share program at its headquarters located in Stamford, CT as part of its ongoing efforts to promote sustainability, conservation and awareness.
2014: Ashforth becomes a founding member the Stamford 2030 District, a public-private partnership of building owners, service professionals, and community stakeholders working toward the goal of cleaner and greener commercial and other large-scale buildings – the sixth such district nationwide and the first in New England.
2015: Energy usage at Ashforth-owned buildings has decreased on average 2.12% each year over the past eight years and held steady over the past year despite increased occupancy.
2015: Water consumption across the Ashforth owned portfolio has decreased on average 3.32% each year over the past eight years despite increased occupancy.
2018: Over the past two years, the average annual gas usage at 3001 Stamford Square has decreased 53% as a result of the installation of new, high-efficiency condensing gas boilers — the equivalent reduction of 294 barrels of oil.
2019: Through Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), Ashforth’s three owned properties in CT now purchase 50% of their electricity generated from renewable resources.
2020: Ashforth installed needlepoint bipolar ionization (NPBI) systems in three Connecticut owned buildings. NPBI is a leading technology for pathogen mitigation and provides greater protection against volatile organic compounds, allergens, and other airborne bacteria and viruses.
2020: Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization: A Proactive Approach to Cleaner Air
2023: Installed a living wall at Ashforth’s headquarters, 707 Summer Street, improving air quality, regulating humidity, and creating a more comfortable environment for tenants.

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Since 2015, when The Ashforth Company installed its first needlepoint bipolar ionization air cleaning system, the company has learned firsthand how ionization helps improve indoor air quality by reducing the number of airborne particles. In 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashforth began looking into upgrading its system based on its excellent results to date. In 2020, Ashforth partnered with ENCON Heating & Air Conditioning and Global Plasma Solutions (GPS) to increase the output of its system by five times and to install the new system in two other office buildings. The GPS Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI™) system consistently ranks as a leading technology for pathogen mitigation and provides greater protection against volatile organic compounds, allergens, and other airborne bacteria and viruses. Read Ashforth’s Indoor Air Quality Study.

Key Projects – Divisions

Corporate & Management Services

All Owned Properties

Ashforth utilizes a comprehensive utility tracking platform, Measurabl, to measure, analyze, benchmark, and report on our sustainability efforts and to understand trends, outliers, and patterns to help make improvements. Ashforth also uses Measurabl’s Asset Optimization tool that provides real-time electric usage monitoring, building-level insights, and operational efficiency recommendations, all achieving more accurate data, cost savings, and reduced environmental impact.
Through Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), Ashforth purchases 50% of its electricity generated from renewable resources.
Ashforth is an ENERGY STAR Partner.
Installed state-of-the-art needlepoint bipolar ionization (NPBI) systems for cleaner and safer air as well as reduced frequency of filter replacements.
All building systems throughout Ashforth-owned properties have been re-commissioned to optimize efficiency, reducing energy consumption approximately 5%.
Upgraded to state-of-the-art energy management systems that continuously monitor energy consumption in real time, improve operational efficiencies.
Building common areas and parking garages retrofitted twice with ENERGY STAR-rated LED lighting – saving approximately 50% on energy costs annually.
Conservation measures: Automatic restroom fixtures & flush valves; low-water use drought-resistant perennials; rain sensors on irrigation systems; eco-friendly cleaning supplies; building recycling program.
Ashforth Green Council formed in 2007 with the goal of developing and implementing environmentally-responsible initiatives for the company.

Management Services

Ashforth converted all invoicing and payments to a completely paperless workflow, streamlining the process and reducing time spent processing invoices by half.
Ashforth was one of the first in the country and the first in New England to adopt and complete BOMA’s Market Transformation Strategy and 7-Point Challenge to improve energy efficiency.
Ashforth was among the three pilot participants who completed Sustainable Stamford’s Corporate Sustainability Challenge, a year-long pilot program in Stamford to cut the impact of facilities on the environment.
Direct digital controls (“DDCs”) upgraded and optimized at all owned buildings. This has improved communication between the thermostat and HVAC system, increasing efficiency to allow tighter controls on the energy management system.
Ashforth identifies and secures considerable savings for its owned and managed properties through utility & state incentive programs.
Ashforth is a founding member of the Lloyd EcoDistrict in Portland, OR.

Construction

A.P. Construction has extensive experience completing numerous sustainable construction projects. Many projects have been LEED certified including installation of geothermal heat pump systems that can reduce energy costs up to 40%
Installed green construction materials such as cellulose insulation, carpets made from recycled materials, low-e glass with Lutron Daylighting systems, and lumber from sustainable forests in a variety of our construction projects.

Key Projects – Properties

Ashforth implemented Cortex’s AI decarbonization platform at Greenwich Plaza to monitor building energy usage, analyze and recommend changes to reduce energy, and increase operating efficiency.
Ashforth partnered with Audubon Connecticut to renovate over an acre of landscaping on and bordering Greenwich Plaza – the “Urban Oasis” project – as a healthy habitat for migrating birds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
Participated in the Energize Connecticut program and received incentive payments for the installation of approved energy efficiency measures (EEMs).

Ashforth implemented Cortex’s AI decarbonization platform at 3001 Stamford Square to monitor building energy usage, analyze and recommend changes to reduce energy, and increase operating efficiency. Since implementation began in April 2024, 3001’s electric use decreased by 9% from 2023.
Completed LEED gap analysis – numerous energy saving measures put into place including ENERGY STAR-rated, highly efficient heat pumps.
Installed new, high-efficiency condensing gas boilers resulting in a 50% average annual decrease in gas usage in the past five years.
Installed one of first plug-in electric vehicle chargers in CT.

Unveiled a living wall featuring 1,330 vibrant plants. The innovative addition not only enhances the lobby aesthetically, it also provides environmental & health benefits for tenants, employees & visitors.
Twice honored with Southern CT BOMA’s Earth Award for efforts in water & energy conservation, and operating efficiency.