Development of Seven-Story Mass Timber Office Building in the Suburbs of Dallas, U.S.A. ~ESG-friendly, and significantly reducing CO2 emissions~
2022.12.26
Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd. (President and Representative Director: Toshiro Mitsuyoshi; Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter Sumitomo Forestry), IINO Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd. (President: Hiromi Tosha; Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter IINO Kaiun), and Kumagai Gumi Co., Ltd. (President: Yasunori Sakurano; Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter Kumagai Gumi) announced that they will participate in the development of an ESG-friendly seven-story wooden office building in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. The three companies have established a special purpose company (SPC) with major U.S. real estate developer Crow Holdings Development (CEO of Crow Holdings Development: Ken Valach; Headquarters: Dallas, Texas; hereinafter CHD) and will construct a large-scale mass timber office building*1. The wooden construction significantly reduces CO2 emissions compared to standard reinforced concrete (RC) construction. The total cost of the project is approximately USD 122 million (about 16.6 billion yen*2), and it is scheduled for completion in October 2023.
Property characteristics
A seven-story wooden office building using mass timber with a lease floor area of 22,548 m2 will be developed in the city of Frisco, north of Dallas, Texas. In addition to its convenient location, the property will feature environmental performance from the carbon storage effect of wood and other features, as well as a layout and design that takes employee health and work comfort into consideration. According to calculations using the Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment software "One Click LCA*5," CO2 emissions generated during construction will be reduced by approximately 2,600 tons compared to an RC structure, and the wood used as building is expected to store approximately 3,800 tons of CO2*6. The use of mass timber is also expected to streamline work on the construction site, and to shorten the construction time compared to RC structures.
Exposed columns and beams will allow tenants to enjoy a comfortable space with the abundant use of wood. The mass timber construction can also be seen from the outside, highlighting the use of wood and the environmental advantages as distinctive features of the building. A central park with green space of about 93,000 m2 will be developed on the adjacent land, and all office floors will feature terraces that overlook the park. A gym, restaurant, coffee shop and other facilities will also be invited. The building will obtain green building certification (LEED*3) and wellness certification (Fitwel*4), providing a social and environmental value-added office for ESG-conscious tenants.
Project scheme
A joint venture will be formed by SFA MF Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Forestry; IKK USA LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IINO Kaiun; a Japanese JV formed by Kumagai Gumi. This joint venture will jointly invest in an SPC, which will promote development, together with CHO. SFC Asset Management Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Forestry, will coordinate support among Japanese companies and with developers.
The project was made possible by the match between the visions of Sumitomo Forestry, which promotes medium- to large-scale wooden developments in Japan and overseas; IINO Kaiun, which is strengthening its sustainability initiatives and global expansion in the real estate industry; and Kumagai Gumi, which is advancing technological development to realize medium- to large-scale wooden construction. Going forward, each company will continue to consider business opportunities in Japanese and overseas markets as well as promote initiatives to expand earnings, leveraging our unique characteristics and expertise.
*1. Office buildings utilizing relatively high mass engineered wood formed from multiple pieces of wood
*2. USD 1 = JPY 136.25 (calculated based on the exchange rate on December 1, 2022)
*3. An environmental performance rating system for building and site use developed and operated by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
*4. A system to evaluate and certify the health, working environment, etc. of building users, developed by the U.S. Federal Government's General Services Administration (GSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
*5. Software for which Sumitomo Forestry has signed a sole agency agreement in Japan. It can precisely calculate CO2 emissions (CO2 emissions at the time of construction) generated during construction from procurement of raw materials to processing, transportation, construction, renovation, and disposal. Related release: https://sfc.jp/english/news/pdf/20220127_02.pdf
*6. CO2 emissions at the time of construction were estimated for the office and parking building. Based on construction drawings, major structural parts such as frames, curtain walls, and foundations were evaluated. The carbon storage amount is estimated for the office building.
Development images
Property overview
| Property name | : Southstone Yards Office-B |
| Address | : Frisco in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas |
| Rental floor area (planned) | : 22,548 m2 (242,701 sq. ft.) |
| Structure | : 1 story RC structure, 2-7 story wooden structure |
| Start of construction | : August 2022 |
| Completion (planned) | : October 2023 |
Outline of Crow Holdings
|
Headquarters |
: Dallas, Texas |
|
Representative |
: Ken Valach, CEO of Crow Holdings Development |
|
History |
: Leading U.S. integrated real estate company founded in 1948 |
| Description of business | : The development platform of Crow Holdings, Crow Holdings Development specializes in building state-of-the-art multifamily residences, distribution facilities, and offices throughout the U.S. With more than 70 years of history, CHD has a total asset size to date of USD 12 billion in development projects. Multifamily real estate development company in the same development platform, Trammell Crow Residential, and the Sumitomo Forestry Group have a proven track record of collaboration in four multifamily residential developments—Alexan Heartwood (Issaquah) in 2018, Alexan Alderwood (Lynnwood) and Alexan Bothell (Bothell) in 2021, and Alexan Woodinville (Woodinville) to becommenced in 2022. |
Outline of SFC Asset Management Co., Ltd.
| Headquarters | : Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
| Representative | : Yujiro Yoshizawa (President and Representative Director) |
| Establishment | : November 2020 |
| Description of business | : Investment advisory services for investment funds organized by Sumitomo ForestryGroup, etc. |
Contact:
Corporate Planning Division
Corporate Communications Office
Public Relations Group
Kumagai Gumi Co., Ltd.
kg-pr@ku.kumagaigumi.co.jp