Austin Real Estate Blog

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, was created to set up guidelines for green building. The program offers certification based on how energy efficient a home is, both during construction, and after a family moves in. In the last year, LEED has begun to include large retail buildings on its list, and several developers have received certification. The trend toward green building with a goal of certification has many retail developers wondering if it is necessary.

The recent trend toward going green has been ongoing for the last several years, though only recently have retailers begun receiving LEED certification. Perhaps the first thing that retail developers look for are ways to save money. This can lead to a more environmentally friendly construction site and more energy efficient technologies being used after completion. More retailers are choosing solar power and changing to newer fluorescent bulbs that use much less energy. Since the LEED requirements for retailers is still in the works, there are no specific guidelines as of yet to follow for certification. At this time, there is no date when established protocol will be available. Stores can be considered based on a cleaner construction zone, the use of more sustainable or recycled materials, and energy efficiency upon completion.

The major retailers currently topping the list of LEED certifications got there mostly through good financial planning. Since more energy efficient usage generally means less money spent in the long run, most new developments are including green options for this reason. Whether or not the retailer is recognized with an LEED certification, the benefits of greener retail developments far outweigh any additional upfront costs.