VIENNA, VA - Home Properties, Inc. announced one of its newest apartment communities, 1200 East West, was awarded LEED® Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) during a ceremony and plaque presentation at the Silver Spring, Maryland property yesterday. 1200 East West is the first newly constructed apartment community to have earned this distinction in Montgomery County, Maryland. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings.
"Home Properties is thrilled to have earned LEED Gold certification from USGBC," said Donald Hague, Home Properties' Senior Vice President, Development. "It is a goal we began working toward when we broke ground for this community. To see our corporate commitment to sustainable design and green construction recognized as a true 'gold standard' is incredibly rewarding to our development team."
1200 East West, a smoke-free community, was designed to support the environment by offering energy-efficient heating, air conditioning, lighting, windows, appliances, and recycling opportunities, and to enhance the comfort of its residents through indoor air quality measures, control of lighting, heating and cooling systems, as well as maximization of natural light and views. Because of its close proximity to Silver Spring employment, shopping, and entertainment; bus lines; the Metro; and with ample bike storage on site, residents may even choose to live car-free – further reducing automobile traffic and environmentally unfriendly fuel emissions. For those residents needing a car, 1200 East West provides a ride-share board and is a zip car location.
Over 100,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED rating systems, comprising over 8 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 114 countries. By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for residents, businesses, and taxpayers, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers, and the community-at-large.
"Home Properties' LEED Gold certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "The urgency of USGBC's mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Home Properties serves as a prime example of just how much we can accomplish."
"Any new construction that further sustains our environment is important to Home Properties," noted Hague. "Green construction is an investment in the future of our communities – and the lives of our residents."
Home Properties is a publicly traded multifamily real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns, operates, develops, acquires and rehabilitates apartment communities primarily in selected Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets.