It was the first historic redevelopment in the U.S. to receive a gold-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) award from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Located between two railroad freight yards, the McCraken wholesale company distributed Monterey sand, Tenino sandstone and other building supplies.

The idea that a conservation organization would shift focus from protecting forests and watersheds to participating in urban renewal was an unusual and controversial one.

[citation needed] Re-opened to the public in 2001, the building was named the Natural Capital Center to reflect the ideas in ecological economics.

[citation needed] The City of Portland's Office of Sustainable Development, created in 2001, was originally located in the Natural Capital Center, occupying 5,000 sq ft (460 m2) in the building.