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Building owners believe sustainably built and managed properties will generate more return on investment than traditionally managed properties, according to .

CB Richard Ellis, working with the University of San Diego and McGraw-Hill Construction, found that owners of sustainably managed buildings expect a 4 percent higher return on investment than owners of traditionally managed buildings, according to the study. Sustainable buildings were found to be 5 percent more valuable than their traditional counterparts and also yielded a 5 percent increase in building occupancy and a 1 percent increase in rental income.

Buildings with green certifications are especially in demand within Portland’s office market, according to Brian Owendoff, managing director with CB Richard Ellis.

“Some larger companies will only consider moving in to a (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver-certified building, at a minimum,” Owendoff said. “The perception is that LEED buildings are comfortable and healthy. It’s resulted in reduced employee complaints and increased employee productivity. As time goes on, we will see the economic benefit to a sustainably built and managed project.”

The study defined a sustainable building as one with LEED certification or the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star certification. These results are part of the second phase of a multi-year study started in 2009 by CB Richard Ellis to examine whether sustainable buildings achieve a significant return on investment compared to traditional buildings.