Sustainability
Value Quantified
Research by DTZ, one of the top three global commercial real estate services companies in the nation, has quantified the perceived benefits of sustainable office spaces. The studies are helping owners channel their efforts towards features that are most valuable to tenants. In 2014, studies by Nils Kok, Ph.D., executive director of the Global Real […]
05 / 13 / 15
Passive Retention
As building permits increase this year and healthy competition is restored, multifamily must revisit resident retention practices. Luxury amenities, home automation technology, and quarterly vacation giveaways are unsustainable: amenities and technology quickly become outdated, requiring costly upgrades, and it’s hard to find room in the budget for grandiose vacation packages. What feature can increase tenant […]
05 / 06 / 15
HUD Cuts
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) granted $1.8 billion to public housing authorities throughout the nation. The funds will allow properties to make major renovations to existing properties that improve habitability andsustainability. The grant falls woefully short of the estimated $25.6 billion needed to bring the nation’s 1.1 million public housing units […]
05 / 16 / 14
Earth Day
There’s no better time than the present to start making a difference; and the best place to start is in your own community. Not only is Earth Day right around the corner, but eco-friendly action can help Mother Nature thrive. First celebrated on April 22, 1970, Earth Day was launched to honor our planet, acknowledge […]
04 / 16 / 14
Healthy Places
The built environment has a huge impact on every aspect of human life. The places in which we live, work and play can affect both our mental and physical wellbeing. As a promoter of healthy communities, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) has launched a series of projects aimed at encouraging sustainable living choices among urban […]
03 / 27 / 14
LEED v4 Goes Live
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) officially launched LEED v4, the newest version of the LEED green building program, at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Philadelphia. Ever since the first LEED Pilot Project Program (also known as LEED Version 1.0) was introduced at the USGBC Membership Summit in August 1998, the LEED, or […]
03 / 04 / 14
Agriburbia
The community garden just isn’t big enough anymore. And when it comes to creating a residential neighborhood that will embody sustainable practices, the local food movement, and love of open spaces, agriburbia has come forward as an exciting alternative. Never heard of it? Neither had I, until a few weeks ago. But just the name […]
02 / 14 / 14
Learning to Like LEDs
Multifamily professionals are torn when it comes to LEDs. While many love the idea of a bulb that lowers utility bills without sacrificing brightness, they aren’t in love with the high upfront costs. It can also be hard to tell when it’s worthwhile to invest in LEDs when halogen, fluorescent, CFL, or even incandescent bulbs […]
12 / 26 / 13
Green and Affordable
Green building has gained momentum in the affordable housing sector, providing some of society’s marginalized residents with hip, eco-friendly—and budget friendly—living accommodations. It has been a long time coming but it is finally here: affordable housing has blossomed from the ugly ducklings of architecture into beautiful swans, complete with coveted interiors, state-of-the-art green features and […]
08 / 20 / 13
Creative + Sustainable
As capital and operating costs continue to rise, businesses seek creative ways to reduce expenses while passing benefits to their clientele. A solution rests under their feet. Poorly-planned infrastructure leads to long term financial burdens on businesses and the communities in which they reside. By implementing sustainable infrastructure techniques, businesses can reduce maintenance expenses and […]
06 / 25 / 13
Really Recycling?
Whether municipally mandated, LEED encouraged or for altruistic reasons, commercial property owners and managers are taking steps to encourage recycling. It can be challenging. Ultimately, it falls to the tenant and the cleaning crew—and in the case of retail properties, the general public—to comply with the program. But some creative efforts are producing results. Office […]
05 / 08 / 13
Focus Green
Today, April 22, is Earth Day. Alliance Residential Company is among the Yardi multifamily clients that will mark the occasion: A tree will be planted at almost every Alliance community this week, except those that are in exceptionally urban environments or have special circumstances. “The goal is to plant a tree at the majority of […]
04 / 22 / 13
MB Real Estate
MB Real Estate (MBRE), a third party manager of multiple high profile commercial buildings in Chicago, sees sustainable property management practices as much more than good environmental stewardship. In fact, when talking to building owners or tenants about sustainable practices, MBRE’s Director of Sustainability focuses on the bottom line. More specifically, the triple bottom line. […]
03 / 11 / 13
Passionately Green
As an industry leader in sustainable development, Portland-based Yardi client Gerding Edlen is a step ahead when it comes to earth-friendly trends in apartment living. “Because we have such a passion for developing sustainable buildings, we wanted to ensure we were transferring the vision we have during development into the day to day management of […]
03 / 19 / 12
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