PASADENA, Calif., Sept. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE: ARE), an urban office REIT uniquely focused on collaborative life science and technology campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, today announced that it has been awarded a "Green Star" rating from the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) and was recognized as the top-ranked company in the U.S. in the GRESB Health & Well-Being Module for its practices impacting tenants, employees and construction. GRESB is widely recognized as the leading standard for sustainability performance measurement of real estate portfolios around the world.

Alexandria's Green Star designation is based on results in the 2017 GRESB Real Estate Assessment, which covers matters ranging from environmental sustainability and social responsibility to tenant engagement and corporate governance. The Real Estate Assessment, GRESB's flagship index, is supported by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT), as well as more than 65 institutional and retail investors collectively representing more than $17 trillion in institutional capital.

"We are proud to receive these prestigious and significant recognitions from GRESB, which affirm our responsible and comprehensive approach to our environmental, social and governance policies, practices, performance, reporting and transparency," said Dean A. Shigenaga, chief financial officer of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. "Our sustainability efforts directly benefit our tenants and employees and create long-term value for our shareholders."

Additionally, the company's high-quality and transparent policies and practices to promote the health, wellness and productivity of its tenants, employees and construction teams earned it the #1 ranking in the U.S. in the GRESB Health & Well-Being Module. As measured by this module, Alexandria received a perfect score of 100 in the operations category.

"We promote the health and productivity of our tenants with the highly sustainable environments at our collaborative life science and technology campuses," said Vincent R. Ciruzzi, chief development officer of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. "Alexandria has prioritized the health and wellness of our innovative tenants, dedicated employees and trusted construction partners for many years. Health and wellness is central to our mission, and it continues be a key driver of success for the company."

Key achievements that contributed to Alexandria's 2017 Heath & Well-Being Module results include:

• Becoming the first REIT to be named a First-in-Class Fitwel Champion for promoting health and wellness in the workplace, in addition to being the first company of any kind to earn Fitwel building certifications with its five Fitwel three-star ratings—the top rating achievable—earned in its asset base in 2016;
• Achieving Fit-Friendly Worksite Gold Award recognition from the American Heart Association at the 50 and 60 Binney Street development sites for championing the health of on-site workers; and
• Providing a highly competitive benefits, workplace and employee experience, including fitness centers and incentives, healthy dining options, paid time off for volunteering activities and an Employee Assistance Program to meet and exceed the health, well-being and financial needs and goals of its talented employees and their families.

To learn more about Alexandria's sustainability efforts, please visit www.are.com/sustainability.

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 $16.0 billion and an asset base in North America of 28.4 million square feet, as of June 30, 2017. The asset base in North America includes 20.6 million RSF of operating properties, including 1.7 million RSF of development and redevelopment of new Class A properties currently undergoing construction. Additionally, the asset base in North America includes 7.8 million SF of future development projects, including 1.3 million SF of near-term projects undergoing marketing for lease and pre-construction activities and 2.8 million SF of intermediate 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 its 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. We believe these advantages result in higher occupancy levels, longer lease terms, higher rental income, higher returns, and greater long-term asset value. For more information, please visit www.are.com.

CONTACT: Joel S. Marcus, Chief Executive Officer, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., (626) 578-9693

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SOURCE Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.