PASADENA, Calif., Feb. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE: ARE), an urban office REIT uniquely focused on collaborative life science and technology campuses in AAA innovation clusters, today announced that it has been recognized by the Center for Active Design (CfAD), which operates Fitwel^®, as the inaugural Industry Leading Company in Fitwel's 2018 Best in Building Health. Alexandria will be recognized on February 28, 2019, in New York City at an evening event hosted by CfAD and the Consulate General of Canada.

Fitwel, the world's leading certification system for optimizing building design and operations to support health, was created as a joint initiative led by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the General Services Administration. In honor of the first full year of public and private sector access to Fitwel, CfAD is recognizing exceptional real estate, design and consulting companies for their unique achievements in leading the real estate industry toward building health.

As the first and only REIT to be named a "First-in-Class Fitwel Champion" and a founding member of the Fitwel Leadership Advisory Board, Alexandria was selected by CfAD based on its achievement of 3 Star Fitwel certifications; its leadership activities to promote and educate the real estate industry on the opportunities for and benefits of building design, construction and operational practices that support high levels of occupant health and wellness; and its #1 global ranking in the 2018 Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) Health & Well-being Module.

"We are honored to be recognized by CfAD for our industry leadership and demonstrated success in creating and curating sustainable and collaborative campus environments that promote health, inspire productivity and enhance the ability of our tenants to attract and retain high-caliber talent," said Ari Frankel, assistant vice president of sustainability and high performance buildings at Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. "As a mission-driven company focused on advancing human health and improving quality of life, we are grateful to CfAD and the CDC for their critical efforts in establishing the Fitwel certification standard. We are also pleased that we have been able to play a key role in Fitwel's growth in the commercial real estate industry since we first partnered in 2016."

"Alexandria continues to lead by example by prioritizing the health and productivity of their tenant base and their own employees," said Reena Agarwal, chief operating officer at CfAD. "We welcome their ongoing implementation of industry-leading practices and their valuable guidance as part of the Fitwel Leadership Advisory Board as we continue to advance Fitwel's global impact."

In 2018, Alexandria earned its second consecutive "Green Star" and received an "A" Disclosure Score from GRESB; launched sustainability goals for its new construction and operating portfolios, including an industry-leading goal of 50 healthy building certifications by 2025, as announced in its Inaugural Corporate Responsibility Report; and issued a $450 million green bond aligned with the Green Bond Principles to fund projects targeting or achieving LEED^® Gold or Platinum certification. As of December 31, 2018, the company has 23 projects targeting or achieving healthy building certifications, which include Fitwel certifications, and 58 projects targeting or achieving LEED certification, which compose 51% of the company's total annual rental revenue.

About Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE: ARE), an S&P 500^® company, is an urban office REIT uniquely focused on collaborative life science and technology campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, with a total market capitalization of $18.4 billion and an asset base in North America of 33.1 million SF as of December 31, 2018. The asset base in North America includes 22.4 million RSF of operating properties and 3.9 million RSF of development and redevelopment of new Class A properties currently undergoing construction and preconstruction activities with target delivery dates ranging from 2019 through 2020. Additionally, the asset base in North America includes 6.8 million SF of intermediate-term and future development projects. Founded in 1994, Alexandria pioneered this niche and has since established a significant market presence in key locations, including Greater Boston, San Francisco, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland and Research Triangle Park. Alexandria has a longstanding and proven track record of developing Class A properties clustered in urban life science and technology campuses that provide our innovative tenants with highly dynamic and collaborative environments that enhance their ability to successfully recruit and retain world-class talent and inspire productivity, efficiency, creativity and success. Alexandria also provides strategic capital to transformative life science and technology companies through our venture capital arm. We believe our unique business model and diligent underwriting ensure a high-quality and diverse tenant base that results in higher occupancy levels, longer lease terms, higher rental income, higher returns and greater long-term asset value. For additional information on Alexandria, please visit www.are.com.

CONTACT: Sara Kabakoff, AVP – Corporate Communications, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., (626) 788‑5578

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SOURCE Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.