Shops 600 at Abercorn Common Receives LEED Silver Certification

Phase II Project Comes in at Zero Cost Increase, Marks 5th LEED Project for Melaver, Inc..

Savannah, Ga. - Coming in at zero cost increase and building on the sustainable technologies utilized in Phase I, Melaver, Inc., recently received Silver LEED certification for Shops 600, the Phase II development at Abercorn Common shopping center. Located at 8108 Abercorn Street in Savannah, Shops 600 includes new features such as solar water heaters and a vegetative roof, an experiment that is planned to provide a natural habitat while insulating the building during the city's warmer months. Abercorn Common is the country's first all retail LEED Core & Shell project, receiving Silver certification in 2006, and featuring the first LEED McDonald's.

“The experience we gained with the first phase of Abercorn Common paid off in a dramatically shorter learning curve,” said Martin Melaver, CEO of Melaver, Inc. Shops 600 features 16,620 square feet of retail space and is now leasing up. Property management is provided by Melaver, Inc., and Melaver-Mouchet is the leasing agent.

Key sustainable features of Abercorn Common and Shops 600:

o All irrigation uses rainwater that has been harvested off the roofs of the buildings and stored in a large cistern behind the center. This saves 5.5 million gallons of water a year.

o A tight building envelope, high-efficiency light fixtures and HVAC equipment, efficient glazing, and a highly-reflective white roof help reduce electricity consumption by more than 30 percent.

o 85 percent of all construction debris, totaling more than 6,000 tons of material, was kept out of the landfill through recycling or reuse.

o Low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, sealants and adhesives were used throughout the project, improving indoor air quality.

o High efficiency HVAC units ensure healthy levels of outside air and moisture control.

o Porous pavement in the parking lots, which allows water to naturally percolate into the ground, reduces stormwater runoff volumes by over 30 percent.

o Materials were selected that have high recycled material content and that are manufactured within a 500-mile radius of the project site.

o Water-efficient plumbing units such as waterless urinals and ultra-low flow fixtures have reduced water use by more than 50 percent.

o Preferred parking spaces are provided for shoppers driving hybrid vehicles. As a driving alternative, the center is located within 1/4 mile of 3 different bus lines. Bike racks and showers are provided for tenants.

Melaver Inc. is a third-generation, family business devoted to commercial real estate: office, retail, showroom, and warehousing. Melaver was awarded the first LEED certification in Savannah for their historical renovation of the Whitaker Building, located on the corner of State Street and Whitaker Street, received LEED CI (commercial interiors) certification for its corporate offices on Barnard Street.

www.melaver.com