USGBC to launch LEED for Retail

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A new LEED certification specifically designed for retail properties is expected to launch early next year, according to Marc Heisterkamp, director of the commercial real estate sector for the U.S. Green Building Council.

The LEED for Retail program has been in pilot mode for a couple of years, Heisterkamp said, and is part of what has been a five-year effort to adapt the LEED base rating system and make it more applicable to retail properties.

Interest from a core group of retailers spurred the effort, he said, adding they wanted a way to standardize LEED certification for their prototype retail buildings.

“The surprising thing, when you look at LEED across the board, is that it’s pretty close already,” Heisterkamp said. But there was room for adaptation in some areas, he said, such as:

- Transportation for both employees and customers

- Energy loads in commercial kitchens

- Some aspects of water conservation in commercial kitchens

Heisterkamp said developers seeking LEED for Retail certification of their projects should start sooner - rather than later - in the process. Register early with the USGBC, and ensure that a qualified Green-oriented team is in place before the project begins.

“The earlier the project starts integrating Green design into the process, the more successful it will be,” he said.

Heisterkamp said the USGBC does envision projects - up to part way through construction - being able to make changes to achieve certification, but that’s not the optimal approach.

Currently, there are about 1,500 retail projects nationwide registered for LEED certification, Heisterkamp said, some under the existing rating systems and some through the LEED for Retail pilot. A fair number of retailers, he said, are interested in replicating LEED certification across their portfolios.

Readers interested in learning more about the LEED for Retail certification can visit www.usgbc.org/leed for details.