Green by Design: How Construction Manager Greg Soros Makes Sustainability Profitable
By Space Coast Daily // September 13, 2025
When Greg Soros first pitched sustainable construction practices to his team at Hensel Phelps Construction three years ago, the response was predictable: concerns about cost overruns, schedule delays, and client pushback. Today, those same practices have helped him deliver the Denver Tech Center mixed-use development 8% under budget and six months ahead of schedule.
“The biggest myth in construction is that sustainable practices cost more money,” says Soros, a licensed Professional Engineer who has spent 15 years bridging the gap between engineering theory and construction reality. “In most cases, they actually save money—you just have to know where to look.”
Strategic Approach to Green Building Practices
Soros’s approach combines his structural engineering background with practical construction management experience to identify opportunities where environmental benefits align with financial returns. His strategy focuses on three key areas: material optimization, energy-efficient construction processes, and waste reduction.
The Denver Tech Center project showcased this philosophy in action. By implementing advanced concrete mixing techniques and optimized steel specifications, Soros reduced material waste by 15% while maintaining structural integrity. Energy-efficient equipment and strategic scheduling cut operational costs during construction by 12%.
“Greg showed us that sustainability isn’t an add-on cost—it’s a different way of thinking about efficiency,” says Maria Rodriguez, project owner for the Tech Center development. “His team delivered better quality work while reducing our environmental footprint and our bottom line.”
Industry Recognition for Sustainable Construction Leadership
The results have attracted attention throughout Colorado’s construction industry. Soros now regularly presents on sustainable construction methodologies at professional conferences and has been recognized with the Outstanding Young Engineer Award from the Colorado Society of Professional Engineers.
His success stems from treating sustainability as an engineering problem rather than a compliance checkbox. “Every sustainable practice has to pass the same test as any other construction decision: does it improve quality, reduce costs, or accelerate timeline?” Soros explains. “When you approach it that way, the business case becomes obvious.”
Looking ahead, Soros is developing plans for his own construction consulting firm specializing in sustainable commercial practices. His goal is to help smaller construction companies implement environmentally responsible building practices while maintaining profitability—proving that green construction isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for business.
“The future of construction isn’t about choosing between profit and sustainability,” Soros reflects. “It’s about recognizing they’re the same thing.”
