Macerich®, one of the nation’s leading shopping center owners, developers and operators, is sharply focused on sustainability as a long-term, fully integrated business approach. Throughout its operations, the company is actively integrating sustainable practices designed to ensure a healthy environment for employees, retailers, shoppers and communities. These efforts are designed to help conserve resources while simultaneously supporting the company’s business goals.

For Macerich, the positive economic returns stemming from sustainable practices are equally as important as the social, cultural and environmental benefits. These endeavors complement the company’s longstanding philosophy of engaging and giving back to its local communities. 

The company initially implemented a strategic energy plan, which focuses less on certifications and more on making changes across the board to help save energy and the environment, while delivering lower costs. Since then, a comprehensive, five-year sustainability plan was launched. Sustainability is integrated across the portfolio and tailored to each property. Elevating sustainability within the company’s corporate culture is a cornerstone of Macerich’s commitment.

LEED GOLD CERTIFICATION

In June 2012, Santa Monica Place earned the LEED Gold environmental designation from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Since opening in August 2010, Santa Monica Place has been viewed as one of the country’s most innovative redevelopments and continues to raise the bar in terms of shopping, dining and entertainment.  A key element of the project has always been a focus on sustainability, in line with the priorities of Macerich, the property’s owner/developer/operator, and the Santa Monica community.

"We have long said that the most sustainable building is one that already exists, and our decision to reuse and redesign the existing structure into what you see today – a three-level, open-air property with views, fresh air and plenty of sunshine – was an essential step toward LEED certification,” said Art Coppola, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Macerich.  “We are pleased that not only the building but also the ongoing operations of Santa Monica Place reflect the environmental values of our shoppers and our company.”

By recycling the existing structure into today’s Santa Monica Place, Macerich turned a climatized indoor mall into an outdoor center, reducing/offsetting 3,060,024 million kWhs energy, and during construction, diverted more than 90% of construction, totaling 68,519,409 lbs., from landfills.  In terms of the property’s ongoing operations, Macerich makes use of 14 Points of Presence (POPs) throughout the property  to integrate operational disciplines, such as energy management, metering/submetering, UMS, CCTV, access control, wi-fi, voice over IP, digital signage, concierge, valet and parking management services into a single, robust infrastructure. The center also incorporates water-efficient landscaping, a green roof element and many other sustainable property features. 

“There is a great sense of accomplishment and pride in receiving this prestigious and difficult to achieve, Gold-level award for Santa Monica Place,” said Jeff Bedell, Vice President of Sustainability, Macerich. “This is a high-profile element of our overall company focus on sustainability, from development and design to everyday operations we are committed to being environmental stewards in reducing our carbon footprint across the portfolio. We are proud of that fact that 100% of Macerich regional centers participate in recycling efforts in their local communities.”

Santa Monica Place’s LEED Gold certification comes in the Core and Shell category, which reflects the unique role of a shopping center developer with respect to individual tenants and their own store build-outs. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Click here to view the press release.