Lerner Hones Green Approach

BETHESDA, MD-Lerner Enterprises, a real estate developer, has purchased wind power for a retail center under construction as well as a 157-key hotel, both in Dulles, VA. The environmentally-friendly transaction is part of the company's Green Initiative Program, which it implemented with the goal of conserving natural resources both in its existing portfolio and in projects under development.

Dulles 28 Centre, a 300,000-sf retail center still being built, and the Residence Inn - Dulles Airport at Dulles 28 Centre will both utilize wind power. This alternative power source, Lerner is currently using at its 1050 Connecticut Ave. property in Washington Square. The energy needs of the class A, 1-million-sf office building are 100% supplied by wind power.

Ronald Charvet Jr., senior vice president of asset management tells GlobeSt.com that the firm is looking at other buildings in its portfolio to add wind energy. "We have a lot of buildings. Our goal is to have a portfolio in which we are confident we are doing everything possible to save energy and resources."

Lerner Enterprises began seriously investigating and then deploying various conservation measures across its portfolio about two years ago. In some cases, it has begun development on buildings that have been designed to be LEED certified by the US Green Building Council.

Other changes have been less dramatic, such as installing energy efficient light bulbs. In all cases, Charvet says, "we know there will be a return of some kind." He says it can be difficult to estimate these savings not only because the technology is relatively new but also because the company's energy needs change from year to year. One winter might be unusually mild; another summer could be hotter than expected. Also, as he puts it, "it can be tough to define what green means."

Lerner's new headquarters facility in Rockville, MD is slated to built according to LEED Gold certification standards. Located at 2000 Tower Oaks Blvd., the 200,000-sf building will house both Lerner, which will occupy 46,000 sf, and Bethesda-based the Tower Cos., which will have 23,000 sf for its operations. The property will be inhabitable in the fall of 2008.

The environmental benefits of the design include replacing 100% of the air in the building every 55 minutes, reducing energy consumption by 41% and water consumption by 48%. This building as well will be equipped with wind energy technology.

Additionally, the company is building 20 M St. in Washington, DC. The 190,633-sf, 10-floor, class A office building has also applied to receive LEED Gold certification. Construction should complete this spring.

The investment, Charvet says, makes sense from a business standpoint, and in the big picture as well. "We have limited environmental resources. It is only right to do what you can to conserve them."