The Collection At RiverPark Awarded Prestigious LEED Green Building Certification

Certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a healthier environment for the community.

The Collection at RiverPark announced recently that it has been awarded LEED certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

“One our priorities has always been to have a profound and positive impact on the community in which we live, work, shop and play,” said Andres Friedman, Vice President at Shea Properties and lead developer for the center. “The Collection at RiverPark demonstrates sound environmental principals while creating economic benefits for our customers and the community as a whole.”

The 650,000 square foot, open-air, specialty retail center located in the heart of West Ventura County, is home to an assortment of established and contemporary designer shops, distinctive dining, and signature entertainment venues. The Collection at RiverPark achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

“The Collection at RiverPark’s LEED 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 The Collection at RiverPark serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish.”

LEED certification of The Collection at RiverPark was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. To promote a whole-building approach to sustainability the center focused on:

• Sustainable site development – The Collection was built with low emitting materials, reducing the quantity of contaminants – adhesives, sealants, paint, coatings, wood and carpet – that are odorous, irritating or harmful to the well-being of its occupants.
• Water saving – The center reduces the amount of water used by choosing native plant material, climate-based irrigation controllers and high efficiency fixtures for non-potable applications.
• Material selection – At least 10 percent of materials used to build the center were recycled or manufactured within 500 miles of the site thereby supporting the use of indigenous resources and reducing environmental impacts resulting from transportation.
• Indoor environmental quality – Tenants of The Collection at RiverPark were provided with descriptive tools that educated and helped them implement sustainable design and construction features in their own build-outs.

“A tremendous amount of time and energy went into this LEED Certification,” said Friedman. “The internal development team, our architects at Altoon Partners, our general contractor VCC, and many other subcontractors and consultants all contributed to this effort. We are proud and excited to be a part of such a green project.”