In a clear sign that green buildings play a critical role in site selection and lease negotiations, Advanced Bionics has agreed to take 146,385 sq. ft. at Summit Oaks, a newly constructed Class-A office building in Santa Clarita that has earned LEED Silver certification. The 10-year deal is the largest new office lease in Los Angeles County so far this year.

Summit Oaks, Santa Clarita, Calif.

The five-story building is in a prime location at the entrance to Valencia Gateway, Los Angeles County’s largest master-planned development for business technology and industry. Advanced Bionics, a manufacturer of cochlear implants for people with profound hearing loss, will take the entire space. The company is consolidating two locations into the new space and will begin the move-in process during the third quarter of this year.

“Employee retention and attraction are important to us,” says Jeff Greiner, president of Advanced Bionics. “When you factor together the location aspects, the surrounding amenities of the Valencia community, and the high-quality design features and sustainable initiatives found within Summit Oaks, we’ve got a great location that will be an immense benefit to helping us recruit the best and the brightest.”

The sustainable features of the Summit Oaks office building that helped it earn LEED Silver certification include a cool roofing system, eco-friendly HVAC and refrigerant equipment, plus locally processed and manufactured building materials along with recycled materials used in the building structure. In addition, the state-of-the-art property provides an on-site storm water drainage filtration system to manage storm water runoff and comes complete with water-efficient, drought-tolerant indigenous landscaping.

Nestled on 4.29 acres, the interior of Summit Oaks includes an elegantly finished ground floor lobby with two-story atrium, plentiful light and natural finishes. The outdoor environment includes lush, mature landscaping, water features and a three-level parking structure that offers covered parking.

The property was developed through a partnership between Parker Properties and Dexus Group. Located in Aliso Viejo, Calif., Parker Properties specializes in campus developments and master-planned communities. Australian-based Dexus is an owner, developer and manager of office, industrial and retail properties. Dexus currently has $15.2 billion of assets under management in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe and the United States.

“Advanced Bionics recognized the identity, location, flexibility and distinctive design aspects of Summit Oaks that make is a special place to work,” explains Lee Redmond, CEO of Parker Properties. “With this transaction, we’ll add a 10,000 sq. ft. clean lab and state-of-the-art data center, making Summit Oaks an even better location for such a well-positioned medical device firm as Advanced Bionics.”

Located in the Santa Clarita Enterprise Zone, Advanced Bionics also is eligible for various tax incentives.