Construction progresses March 19 at the Molasky Corporate Center. The center, scheduled for completion in August, is designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards. Photo by Sara Tramiel/Review-Journal

It will take 12 to 15 years to recoup the extra $5 million to $7 million it cost to build Molasky Corporate Center to LEED gold certification, Molasky Group President Richard Worthington said.

The 16-story office tower under construction on Grand Central Parkway is an example of "green building" in Las Vegas. It uses thousands of pairs of shredded blue jeans for insulation, 95 percent recycled steel and crushed glass for bathroom countertops in the retail area.

"Those jeans might have been worn by some super-hot model in New York at one time," Worthington said.

Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is awarding the highest certification points (six) for the underfloor air distribution system, which allows air to be chilled to 63 degrees instead of 55 degrees. Heating and air conditioning vents run underneath a 14-inch raised floor.

Nevada legislators enacted a law that gives some incentives on property tax savings for green building, but the bigger picture is the energy savings and healthier work environment, Worthington said.

Ceilings are left open. Steel I-beams are sprayed with fireproof insulation and painted white to reflect natural light. Intelligent design maximizes daylight penetration to the interior while minimizing glare, resulting in quality workspace lighting.

"Less is more," he said.

Toilets, showerheads and faucets meet or exceed water conservation standards. Water from cooling towers on the roof is captured and recycled for landscape irrigation.

Marnell Corrao is general contractor for the $107 million project, which is scheduled for completion and occupancy in August. Korte Co. is doing tenant improvements.

Vacancy for Class A office space, or buildings made of glass and steel, is about 4 percent in Las Vegas, Worthington said.

The 285,000-square-foot Molasky Corporate Center is almost completely leased with major tenants such as Southern Nevada Water Authority, Las Vegas Valley Water District, Molasky Group of Cos. and two major law firms, Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll and Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, Schreck.

The building is visible to 340,000 drivers a day along U.S. Highway 95 and Interstate 15.

Molasky Corporate Center, designed by Howard F. Thompson Architects, has aluminium extrusions that create shadow lines and give the building "architectural interest," Worthington said. It will be lit at night with a yellow crown and green accent lighting.