Glaxo Move – Green or Not (.com)?

GlaxoSmithKline announced last week that it’s moving to a LEED-certified building in the Navy Yard from its current Center City location.

According to the Philly.com story, “GSK says it will sign 15 1/2-year lease for a four-story, 205,000-square-foot facility being developed by Liberty Property Trust and Synterra Partners“.

Glaxo would move all its employees either at  One & Three Franklin Plaza Center city locations to south Philly in late 2012/early 2013.

I definitely commend any company who wants to become green and up its efficiency. The eco-friendly design should reduce electric & energy consumption to increase the building’s efficiency 30-60% more efficiently than typical office buildings.  (And plus, the Liberty Property blueprints look pretty damn cool.)

However, this is moving a huge company that has a centralized location (with employees that walk, bike & easily take public transit) to a few miles south – with poor public transit options.  Many employees will choose to drive during rush hour to the navy yard.

Could Glaxo have made eco-friendly upgrades in it’s center city location? Probably.  Unfortunately I don’t have stats of how many employees take public transit, etc vs driving.  Maybe the navy yard will get better public transit access in the future.

Readers, what do you think of this change?

Posted by Julie

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Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia. View all posts by Julie Hancher