Ward Village Becomes the Largest LEED-ND Platinum Certified Neighborhood in the United States

HONOLULU, HI - The Howard Hughes Corporation announced that Ward Village has received LEED Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) Platinum certification, making the Honolulu project the nation’s largest LEED-ND Platinum certified project and the only LEED-ND Platinum certified project in the state of Hawai‘i. The LEED rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, is the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance.

“We are extremely honored to receive LEED-ND Platinum certification, confirming that Ward Village will arguably be the most sustainable community in the country,” said Nick Vanderboom, Senior Vice President of Development for The Howard Hughes Corporation. “We are committed to creating a one-of-a-kind, integrated neighborhood in the heart of Honolulu based on thoughtful planning and design that will feature exceptional residences and unique retail offerings set among dynamic public open spaces and walkable streets.”

LEED-ND Platinum certification was awarded to Ward Village based on achievement of the very highest standards of sustainable neighborhood design, including community-wide strategies such as pedestrian orientation and design; efficient land use in a location served by transit; water and energy efficiency; recycling and reuse of materials; indoor environmental quality; and parking and transportation programs that include vehicle and bicycle sharing.

“Achieving the LEED-ND Pre-Certified Plan designation shows that Ward Village is committed to achieving a high level of sustainability from its early planning through its construction and ultimately operation as a thriving community,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO and Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council.

Over the next decade, The Howard Hughes Corporation will transform 60 acres in Honolulu into Ward Village, a vibrant master planned community encompassing 9.3 million total square feet. This mixed-use development will include approximately 4,000 residential units and over one million square feet of retail and other commercial space. The first phase of the project was approved this past summer with construction expected to begin in 2014.