Recycled water coming to UTC tower

Purple pipes at One La Jolla Center indicate the presence of recycled water servicing the new building's restrooms. Irvine Company

Purple pipes at One La Jolla Center indicate the presence of recycled water servicing the new building's restrooms. / Irvine Company

One La Jolla Center, Irvine Company's new office tower opening this summer in the UTC area, boasts a world-class architect, prime location and environmental bragging rights:

The 15-story building at 4665 Executive Drive will use a dual plumbing system that will enable it to use recycled water in the restrooms and air conditioning cooling towers.

"The cost of recycled water, compared to potable (drinking) water is about 80 percent less expensive," said Erron Williams, the company's senior director of engineering.

The city said it charges 80 cents per 100 cubic feet of recycled water and $4.47 per 100 cubic feet of potable water when used in a commercial building.

One La Jolla Center is due for completion in August. / Irvine Company

Located next to the two-building La Jolla Center complex built in 1986, the $100 million, 306,000-square-foot building is not only located in one of the county's top office submarkets but it also is the only major speculative office building under construction. It is due to open in August.

Unlike most of its competitors, Irvine, which has acquired several high-profile office buildings downtown as well as in the north city area, had enough financial clout to develop a building without preleasing most of the space. By doing so, it can attract tenants that might otherwise have to wait for years before moving into new space elsewhere.

Williams said Irvine owns five other dual-piped buildings, including three at Irvine Center in Orange County. One La Jolla Center is its first in San Diego.

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Recycled water coming to UTC tower