New Pru tower to be greenest in city

Boston Properties is in talks with two potential tenants to take the top floors of its $275 million, 17-story, 888 Boylston St. building under way in the Back Bay.

Were well into discussions and negotiations, confirmed Bryan Koop, senior vice president and regional manager of the real estate investment trusts Hub office.

Koop confirmed the company is targeting boutique financial, private equity, hedge fund and investment management firms.

Boston Properties and signed anchor tenant Natixis Global Asset Management will formally mark construction of the building with a groundbreaking today. Its the Back Bays first speculative office building since Boston Properties finished 111 Huntington Ave. in 2001 in the same Prudential Center complex.

In addition to 365,000 square feet of office space, 60,000 to 80,000 square feet of retail space could accommodate three to four retailers. Weve got really, really exciting retailers in discussion and close to agreement, Koop said.

Boston Properties goal with 888 Boylston city-approved in 2008, but delayed by the economic downturn is to build Bostons most sustainable office building. It is designed to consume 45 percent less energy and 37 percent less potable water than a typical office building of its size. It will produce energy on site through an 85 kW solar array and 14 wind turbines.

Everything about the building is designed first and foremost for the lives inside of the building, Koop said, noting the natural light will allow tenants to turn off their lights 60 percent of the time.

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New Pru tower to be greenest in city