Green office buildings aren’t just good for the planet—they’re good for business, too. Studies show that sustainable workspaces can lower utility bills by as much as 35%¹, substantially increase employee happiness and productivity², and even boost talent retention. That’s some serious ROI.

In Ballantyne, sustainability has been part of our blueprint from day one. With energy-efficient design, advanced water management systems and abundant green spaces, our 535-acre Charlotte campus is built to support both the environment and the people who work here. In recognition of these efforts, we were honored in 2024 as ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy.

In this blog, we’ll explore the business benefits of going green and how companies in Ballantyne in Charlotte can align sustainability with success.

Green Building Certifications

Ballantyne's commitment to sustainability is backed by some of the industry’s most respected certifications.

LEED® Certification

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, the LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification evaluates how efficiently a building operates across key categories, such as indoor environmental quality and water efficiency.

Buildings earn points in each category, and their total score determines the level of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum. The higher the rating, the more advanced the building’s sustainability performance.

Ballantyne businesses benefit from access to 2.5 million square feet of LEED®-certified office space. What does that mean for your company?

• Lower utility costs thanks to energy-saving systems and efficient building design
• Healthier work environments with better air quality, ventilation and natural light
• Stronger talent attraction and retention through a visible commitment to sustainability and employee wellness.
• Enhanced brand reputation with eco-conscious clients, partners and stakeholders
• Increased property value and long-term ROI, which helps protect your investment in a space that grows with you

LEED® buildings in Charlotte do more than reduce your footprint—they give your business a competitive edge.

ENERGY STAR® Certification

ENERGY STAR® is a nationally recognized certification program administered by the EPA. While LEED® takes a holistic look at sustainability, ENERGY STAR zeroes in on one critical area: energy efficiency.

To earn certification, a building must perform better than at least 75% of similar buildings nationwide based on energy use data. At Ballantyne, every office building on campus has earned the ENERGY STAR® certification.

Since ENERGY STAR® buildings use significantly less energy than average, resulting in a utility savings of up to 35%. Simply put, choosing an energy-efficient office building in Charlotte is a win-win for your bottom line and the environment.

WELL Health-Safety Rating (HSR)

Developed by the International WELL Building Institute, the WELL Health-Safety Rating (HSR) focuses on creating safe, healthy environments for the people inside the building.

At Ballantyne, all office buildings hold the WELL HSR certification, reflecting our commitment to tenant well-being. What does that mean for your business?

• Fewer sick days because cleaning and sanitation go beyond typical industry standards
• Improved air and water quality thanks to careful, continuous monitoring
• Reliable emergency plans that keep everyone safe during unexpected events
• A workplace culture that prioritizes health and employee peace of mind

At Ballantyne, we pursue these certifications not for the recognition, but because they help us make our office spaces healthier, more efficient and better for the people who use them every day.

Financial Impact of Green Building Features

Going green isn't just the right thing to do—it’s a strategic business move. Sustainable office spaces in Charlotte deliver measurable financial benefits that add up over time.

Operating Cost Savings

Green buildings are engineered for efficiency, and that translates into lower operating costs for businesses.

Businesses at Ballantyne’s green office buildings benefit from utility savings of up to 35%¹ compared to traditional office spaces, thanks to high-performance HVAC systems, upgraded lighting and water conservation measures.

In addition to these direct savings, green building systems are designed to require less maintenance. That saves money and hassle in the long run.

Incentives and Tax Benefits

Tenants who choose an energy-efficient office building in Charlotte may be eligible for federal tax deductions. The Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction (Section 179D), for instance, rewards companies for energy-smart improvements.

Businesses may also benefit from North Carolina state incentives, Charlotte-specific sustainability programs and rebates from local utility providers.

Total Cost of Occupancy Analysis

Green office space may have a higher price tag upfront, but it’s an investment that pays for itself over time. Lower energy bills, fewer unexpected repairs and better overall building performance really add up.

When you consider the total cost of occupancy—not just the rent—it’s easy to see why sustainable buildings make smart financial sense for growing businesses in Charlotte.

Wellness Features That Attract Top Talent

Modern employees want a workplace that supports their overall mental and physical well-being. Green office buildings in Ballantyne are designed with this in mind, helping companies attract and retain top talent.

Air Quality and Ventilation

Air quality is a top priority in Ballantyne’s energy-efficient office buildings. Many include advanced HVAC systems with high-performance filtration, enhanced fresh air circulation and built-in air quality monitoring to ensure a clean, healthy environment.

These features help reduce allergens and airborne pollutants, supporting sharper focus, fewer sick days and a more energized, productive, and satisfied workforce.

Natural Light

LEED®-certified office spaces in Ballantyne are filled with natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, daylight harvesting controls and circadian lighting systems that adjust throughout the day.

This isn’t just about looks. Bright, well-lit workspaces boost focus and mood, creating a healthier, more productive workspace³.

Employee Wellness

Employees also enjoy access to parks, walking trails and other green spaces that supports job satisfaction and promotes employee engagement. These natural environments don't just provide aesthetic appeal—they deliver measurable workplace benefits that extend directly to your bottom line. Studies show that natural settings help restore mental energy and reduce stress while fostering both emotional happiness and optimal functioning, which enhances overall employee well-being and mental resilience⁴.

When your team can step outside for a quick walk along Ballantyne's trail system or enjoy lunch in one of our park settings, they return to their desks refreshed and more focused. This natural reset helps reduce workplace stress while fostering the kind of innovative thinking that drives business success.

Fitness and Wellness Amenities

At Ballantyne, wellness is woven into the campus culture. On-site fitness centers, walking trails and other amenities make it easy for employees to stay active and maintain a positive work-life balance

Additionally, EV charging stations help commuters go a little greener with their daily travel. Low-VOC building materials also improve indoor air quality, making the workplace healthier all around.

Competitive Advantages for Businesses

From boosting your brand to attracting top-tier talent, energy-efficient office buildings in Ballantyne offer strategic benefits that help companies thrive in today’s competitive landscape.

Employee Recruitment and Retention

Millennials and Gen Z’ers are drawn to employers that prioritize sustainability, wellness and flexibility. Green office buildings in Charlotte help meet those expectations by offering healthy, inspiring work environments.

With cleaner air, more natural light and easy access to green spaces, eco-friendly office buildings in Ballantyne also create the kind of environment that helps people feel good. And when employees feel good, they tend to take fewer sick days and stay more engaged.

Brand Image and Marketing Benefits

Choosing a green office building in Charlotte shows that your company isn’t just talking about sustainability—you’re living it, with a clear commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

This commitment is a valuable marketing asset and can be leveraged to strengthen customer trust, attract like-minded partners and reinforce your brand’s reputation for innovation and accountability.

Future-Proofing Your Business

As climate policies and regulations change, sustainable office buildings in Ballantyne help businesses stay compliant and avoid costly updates. The accretive value of building rating certifications will keep your business ahead of the curve at Ballantyne.

Since some insurers offer better rates for energy-efficient buildings, sustainable office space can reduce operating expenses. It can also increase resilience, helping companies prepare for rising energy costs and extreme weather events.

Ballantyne's Green Office Building Landscape

Ballantyne is a leader in sustainable commercial real estate, offering a diverse portfolio of green office buildings in Charlotte designed to give your business a competitive edge.

Take a look at the office spaces in Charlotte we have to offer:

Ballantyne One Building

Ballantyne One is a five-story, WELL-Health Safety rated and ENERGY STAR®-certified office building in Ballantyne, featuring scenic views of a three-acre lake and nearby fitness trail.

Ballantyne Two Building

Ballantyne Two is a five-story, ENERGY STAR®-certified and WELL-Health Safety Rated office building featuring lakeside views, walking trails and easy access to wellness amenities.

Boyle Building

The LEED® Gold-certified Boyle Building offers HQ-ready Class A office space with plenty of amenities. Sitting right across from The Bowl, the Boyle Building offers prime access to retail, entertainment and acres of green space for walking, biking or disc golf.

Brixham Green One Building

Brixham Green One is an energy-efficient, WELL-Health Safety Rated and ENERGY STAR®-certified office building with outdoor seating, food trucks and park views.

Brixham Green Two Building

With its smart, sustainable design and vibrant outdoor areas, Brixham Green Two is one of the most in-demand green office buildings in Ballantyne. Its close proximity to Brixham Park, greenway trails and Sara’s YMCA make an active lifestyle for Brixham Green Two tenants easy and accessible.

Brixham Green Three Building

Brixham Green Three blends sustainability with modern convenience, offering both WELL-Health Safety Rating and EnergySTAR-certified office space that’s easily accessible from I-485 and I-77.

Calhoun Building

In addition to being LEED® Gold- and ENERGY STAR®-certified, this six-story building offers the WELL-Health Safety Rating as well. With walkable  access to The Bowl’s dining and The Amp’s entertainment options, the Calhoun Building offers fantastic views of Ballantyne’s Backyard and the opportunity to play the disc golf course

Chandler Building

With 57,527 square feet of sustainable office space available in Charlotte, the Chandler Building combines sleek, sustainable design with convenience.

Crawford Building

Overlooking Crawford Pond, this energy-efficient office building in Charlotte offers premium workspace with park and fitness trail access just steps away. Across the street, Sara’s YMCA and Brixham Park offer numerous exercise and group fitness opportunities.

Cullman Park Building

The Cullman Park Building is a five-story, WELL-Health Safety Rated, ENERGY STAR®-certified office space with scenic views of Cullman Park. Cullman Park provides an opportunity for recreational fishing or a serene environment to take a walk in. This beautiful park offers plenty of seating around the waterfall dedicated to Edgar and Louise Cullman.

Curran Building

The Curran Building combines sustainability with scenic beauty, featuring ENERGY STAR® certification and a WELL-Health Safety Rating with stunning views of a park complete with walking trails and waterfall.

Everett Building

This LEED® Gold, WELL-Health Safety Rated and ENERGY STAR®-certified building offers premium office space with direct access to The Bowl at Ballantyne™, plus unique amenities like adjacent pickleball courts and outdoor cornhole boards.

Frenette Building

Surrounded by lush green space, the ENERGY STAR®-certified and WELL-Health Safety Rated Frenette Building is a three-story Class A office space featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with convenient access to walking trails.

Gibson Building

Designed with medical professionals in mind, the ENERGY STAR®-certified and WELL-Health Safety Rated Gibson Building offers pond views and outdoor gathering areas, with the added convenience of Wegmans opening adjacent in 2026.

Hall Building

This strategically located ENERGY STAR®-certified and WELL-Health Safety Rated building provides excellent connectivity to I-485 and I-77, with close proximity to four hotels and Sara's YMCA.

Harris Building

Standing 10 stories tall, the LEED® Gold, WELL-Health Safety Rated and ENERGY STAR®-certified Harris Building delivers HQ-ready premium space with a modernized two-story lobby, fitness center and Wi-Fi-enabled courtyard directly across from The Bowl.

Hayes Building

Featuring newly renovated spaces and move-in ready spec suites, the LEED® Gold, WELL-Health Safety Rated and ENERGY STAR®-certified Hayes Building offers unique amenities including rooftop pickleball courts and cornhole boards on the adjacent parking deck.

Hixon Building

Adjacent to Ballantyne's greenways, the ENERGY STAR®-certified and WELL-Health Safety Rated Hixon Building features third-floor balconies, 10-foot ceilings and access to a half-acre putting green with outdoor ping-pong facilities.

Irby Building

With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a 100-acre community park, the LEED® Gold, WELL-Health Safety Rated and ENERGY STAR®-certified Irby Building provides executive office suites with seamless access to The Bowl's dining and entertainment.

Medical Two Building

This specialized 2-story ENERGY STAR®-certified medical office building sits in the heart of Ballantyne, offering convenient access from Ballantyne Commons Parkway in close proximity to local hospitals.

Overlook Building

This monumental high-end LEED-certified, WELL-Health Safety Rated and ENERGY STAR-certified office building features a top-level amenity floor with rooftop terrace and fire pit, plus a 2,500-square-foot fitness center overlooking The Bowl and Ballantyne's Backyard.

Rushmore One Building

Offering a rare full-building lease opportunity, the ENERGY STAR®-certified and WELL-Health Safety Rated, Rushmore One spans over 170,000 square feet and includes its own fitness center, cafe and collaborative outdoor spaces with signage opportunities.

Simmons Building

This ENERGY STAR®-certified and WELL-Health Safety Rated full-building opportunity features distinctive third-floor balconies and overlooks a half-acre putting green, with convenient access to the new Lower McAlpine Greenway Connection.

Tate Building

Recently renovated and highly visible from Highway 521/Johnston Road, the WELL-Safety Rated Tate Building specializes in medical office space with an adjacent hotel and walkable dining options nearby.

Woodward Building

The Woodward Building is a modern, sustainability-focused building offering EV charging stations, LEED Platinum certification, WELL-Health Safety Rating and ENERGY STAR® certification, located adjacent to Ballantyne's Backyard with a convenient grab-and-go cafe.

Newest Sustainable Developments at Ballantyne

Ballantyne is continuously enhancing its commitment to sustainability through innovative projects and transit-oriented development. The latest sustainability initiatives in Ballantyne include:

Residential Living

Oro Ballantyne combines sustainable luxury living with convenient access to The Bowl’s vibrant retail and dining scene. At 26 stories tall with 356-luxury units, this residential building keeps employees close to amenities while cutting down on commutes. With a private fitness studio, meditation room, pet spa and indoor bike storage, Oro blends upscale living with entertainment options just steps away at The Bowl and The Amp.

Improved Connectivity

Ballantyne has added six new roads and upgraded intersections to streamline traffic and improve campus accessibility. A new connector from I-485 Express Lanes to Johnston Road, currently in development by NCDOT, will make commuting even easier for Ballantyne tenants and visitors.

See the Difference a Green Office Can Make

Forward-thinking companies know that sustainability isn’t just good for the planet—it’s a smart business strategy that delivers real value. That’s why sustainability is the cornerstone of Northwood Office’s 535-acre Ballantyne campus.

Ballantyne’s efficient office buildings offer measurable benefits—from lower utility bills and valuable tax incentives to improve talent retention and increased productivity—that help your brand stand out in a competitive marketplace. As a leader in sustainable commercial real estate in Charlotte, Ballantyne sets the standard with LEED®, ENERGY STAR® certifications and WELL Health-Safety Ratings throughout its diverse portfolio.

Ready to see how a green office can power your business success? Schedule a tour of our sustainable office spaces in Charlotte today.

Citations

1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ENERGY STAR commercial buildings facts and stats. ENERGY STAR. https://www.energystar.gov/buildings/about-us/facts-and-stats
2. World Green Building Council. (2014, September). Health, well-being & productivity in offices: The next chapter for green building. https://worldgbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/compressed_WorldGBC_Health_Wellbeing__Productivity_Full_Report_Dbl_Med_Res_Feb_2015-1.pdf
3. Meister, J. C. (2018, September 3). The #1 office perk? Natural light. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2018/09/the-1-office-perk-natural-light
4. Charisi, V., Zafeiroudi, A., Trigonis, I., Tsartsapakis, I., & Kouthouris, C. (2025). The Impact of Green Spaces on Workplace Creativity: A Systematic Review of Nature-Based Activities and Employee Well-Being. Sustainability, 17(2), 390. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020390 
5. Huntsman, D. D., & Bulaj, G. (2022). Healthy dwelling: Design of biophilic interior environments fostering self-care practices for people living with migraines, chronic pain, and depression. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(4), 2248. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042248