WashREIT says it has achieved certification on eight multifamily assets under BREEAM’s In-Use certification standard.
This is a significant milestone for both WashREIT and BREEAM, as it signifies the first set of multifamily assets to receive BREEAM certification in the U.S. WashREIT acquired the properties in 2019. They include a total of 2,390 units, spanning locations across Virginia and Maryland.
The company used BREEAM certification to bring these assets—most of which were built more than 30 years ago—to its sustainable standard. Half the properties certified earned a rating of “Very Good.”
“We’re focused on existing Class B assets, and historically, this asset class has lacked in sustainability investments. But residents and investors alike care about sustainability,” said Paul McDermott, president and CEO of WashREIT, in a news release. “As we work with BREEAM, our goal is to create opportunities for the industry and other operators to also find ways to invest in sustainable improvements and achieve ESG certifications for their assets.”
Related Stories
Sponsored | Multifamily Housing | Dec 13, 2023
Mind the Gap
Incorporating temporary expansion joints on larger construction projects can help avoid serious consequences. Here's why and how.
Giants 400 | Dec 12, 2023
Top 35 Military Facility Construction Firms for 2023
Hensel Phelps, DPR Construction, Walsh Group, and Whiting-Turner top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest military facility general contractors and construction management (CM) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Dec 12, 2023
Top 50 Military Facility Engineering Firms for 2023
Jacobs, Burns & McDonnell, WSP, and AECOM head BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest military facility engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Dec 12, 2023
Top 40 Military Facility Architecture Firms for 2023
Michael Baker International, HDR, Whitman, Requardt & Associates, and Stantec top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest military facility architecture and architecture/engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Codes and Standards | Dec 11, 2023
Washington state tries new approach to phase out fossil fuels in new construction
After pausing a heat pump mandate earlier this year after a federal court overturned Berkeley, Calif.’s ban on gas appliances in new buildings, Washington state enacted a new code provision that seems poised to achieve the same goal.
MFPRO+ News | Dec 11, 2023
U.S. poorly prepared to house growing number of older adults
The U.S. is ill-prepared to provide adequate housing for the growing ranks of older people, according to a report from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. Over the next decade, the U.S. population older than 75 will increase by 45%, growing from 17 million to nearly 25 million, with many expected to struggle financially.
MFPRO+ News | Dec 7, 2023
7 key predictions for the 2024 multifamily rental housing market
2024 will be the strongest year for new apartment construction in decades, says Apartment List's chief economist.
Codes and Standards | Dec 7, 2023
New York City aims to spur construction of more accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
To address a serious housing shortage, New York City is trying to get more homeowners to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The city recently unveiled a program that offers owners of single-family homes up to nearly $400,000 to construct an apartment on their property.
MFPRO+ News | Dec 5, 2023
DOE's Zero Energy Ready Home Multifamily Version 2 released
The U.S. Department of Energy has released Zero Energy Ready Home Multifamily Version 2. The latest version of the certification program increases energy efficiency and performance levels, adds electric readiness, and makes compliance pathways and the certification process more consistent with the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction (ESMFNC) program.
Transit Facilities | Dec 4, 2023
6 guideposts for cities to create equitable transit-oriented developments
Austin, Texas, has developed an ETOD Policy Toolkit Study to make transit-oriented developments more equitable for current and future residents and businesses.
