Los Angeles-based Tishman International Companies, an international commercial real estate development and management company, showed support for the development of the business ties between Bulgaria and Greece by joining a conference of the Hellenic Business Council in Bulgaria, which took place earlier this month.

Tishman is a member of the HBCB, which was founded to promote and strengthen economic and cultural ties between Bulgaria and Greece by encouraging dialogue between key government and business figures of the two countries.

Bozhidar Zahariev, Leasing Manager of Tishman International's Sofia Airport Center (SAC) development, introduced Tishman International and its history, its global assets, and the company's commitment to economic growth in Bulgaria, Greece and all of CEE.

His presentation highlighted the importance of SAC, a joint project of Tishman International and GE Real Estate, and its pioneering of green design and building in Sofia.  SAC has developed the first LEED-certified office building in Bulgaria.

"With a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility, Tishman International has pioneered sustainable development in CEE," commented Alan D. Levy, Chairman of Tishman International.

"Our company's development of SAC and our participation in the HBCB conference, as well as other business conferences and educational events, are key to Tishman International's efforts to promote and support the economic benefits of green building," he added.

The environmental and financial benefits of building sustainable projects up to LEED certification standards include lower operating costs and increased asset value, due to the conservation of energy and water; the reduction of harmful greenhouse gas emissions; and up to 70 percent reduction in solid waste.

SAC provides 180,000 sq.m. of high-tech commercial space, including Class A offices and prime logistics space with state-of-the-art security and safety systems, amidst a lush landscape with a central lake, green areas and winter gardens. Still to come is an international hotel with dining, recreational, and conference facilities.

SAC's energy consumption is drastically reduced due to the use of renewable sources of energy such as natural daylight through open atriums and double-glazed windows, solar shading via cantilevered sun louvers and dual-coated glass on building facades designed to reduce heat and solar impact and a complex, energy-efficient Building Management System (BMS) that monitors outdoor temperature and regulates climate controls with a variable air volume HVAC system.