LPL Financial (LPLA) opened its new San Diego headquarters, Tower II at La Jolla Commons, on Wednesday. The independent broker-dealer — which also has headquarters in Boston and Charlotte, N.C. — says the structure is one of the largest net-zero energy commercial office buildings in the United States.
About 1,600 LPL Financial employees, who previously worked in seven office buildings in the La Jolla area of San Diego, are now based in the new 13-story facility.
"At LPL Financial, we are ambitiously working to be an employer of choice. As part of this commitment, we knew that our work environment needed to make an investment both in our employees and in the San Diego community," said LPL Chairman and CEO Mark Casady, in a press release.
"Utilizing advances in technology to create efficiencies is at the heart of what LPL Financial provides for its advisors and institutional clients…," Casady explained. "Leveraging technology and advanced materials to minimize our impact on the environment, while creating a positive work environment for our employees, is consistent with our values as a firm and indicative of our strong commitment to being a socially responsible corporate citizen."
The tower has three fuel cells to convert biogas into carbon-neutral electricity. Energy meters are located throughout the building, and surplus power is pushed back to the grid through San Diego Gas & Electric, according to the IBD. In addition, the tower has LED lights that automatically dim based on available natural light and sensors that turn lights off by detecting unoccupied offices.
