Trenton, N.J.—RMJM Hillier has unveiled the design for the Vista Center, a new LEED Platinum office tower in Trenton, N.J., that will bring new jobs, revenue, and the city's largest commercial development in decades. The Vista Center is a 25-story, 700,000-sq-ft. project that is planned directly adjacent to the Trenton Transit Center—which is in the final phase of a $75 million renovation program.

"The design aims to create a memorable gateway to the city that will attract people and businesses because they want to work in a building that is beautiful, healthy, and energy efficient, and you don't need a car to get there," says Sergio Coscia, project architect with RMJM. "The City of Trenton and the developer are setting a wonderful example for the rest of the state and the region on the importance of investing in transit-oriented development and sustainable design." According to Coscia, the building layout will also increase employee productivity thanks to floor plans and high ceilings that bring daylight deep into the building and a high-performance air distribution system that will optimize indoor environmental quality.

Other sustainable features include roof-mounted solar panels, storm water collection, the use of local materials, and high-performance facades with low-energy glazing that reduces heating and cooling expenses. But besides these green incentives, the building offers financial incentives, as well. It is the first office building in Trenton to qualify for the state's new Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit, allowing tenants to take a credit against their New Jersey Corporate Income Tax equal to the entire project capital costs in equal investments over 10 years. The credit can potentially subsidize the full amount of a tenant's rent.