Arauco Quilicura Becomes the First Chilean Mall to Obtain LEED Certification
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Arauco Quilicura becomes the first Chilean mall to obtain LEED certification Santiago, February 20, 2015 - The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) has awarded the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, Silver category, to Arauco Quilicura. This is an important milestone for Parque Arauco as this is the first shopping center in Chile and the first open-air shopping center in Latin America to receive this recognition. “During our more than three decades of history, innovation and cutting-edge design have been present in our projects,” said Andrés Torrealba, CEO of Parque Arauco´s Chile Division. “The LEED certification is proof of this, and we are very proud of this recognition, especially given that we did not set out to receive the certification, but were only using the same standards we have in place for all our projects while using LEED as a reference to improve the design. This process enabled us to become the first shopping center in Chile to earn this certification.” Sarah Alexander, Vice President of Certification for GBCI, made special mention of the LEED Silver certification obtained by Parque Arauco: “Mall Arauco Quilicura is a showcase example of sustainable design and demonstrates its leadership in transforming the building industry. Mall Arauco Quilicura is the first shopping center to earn a LEED certification in Chile. This is a tremendous accomplishment.” Arauco Quilicura was developed as an environmentally friendly project in terms of design, construction and operation. The sustainable practices implemented by the shopping mall will enable a reduction of water consumption of up to 29.9%, a reduction of energy consumption of up to 13%, and a treatment plan for non-organic waste. The mall incorporates sustainable materials that were used during the construction process, promotes the use of alternative transportation methods in order to reduce emissions, and uses native vegetation and sustainable landscaping practices, all the while working side by side with its tenants to insure the implementation of sustainable initiatives inside every store in the mall. Torrealba confirmed this indicating that: “Forty three percent of the material used in the construction of Arauco Quilicura was manufactured or extracted within an 800 kilometer radius, implying an economic and social incentive for the local community. Also, 5% of the parking spaces have been reserved for low-emission vehicles with the goal of incentivizing the use of this type of vehicle.” The relationship with the community and the environment was also key in obtaining the LEED certification, and Arauco Quilicura overachieved in this respect. The mall´s strategic location connects it to services such as hospitals, banks, places of worship, the municipal building, and public transportation, adding value to the urban design of Quilicura. About Arauco Quilicura Arauco Quilicura was inaugurated in 2013 with 32,000 m2 of gross leasable area, and currently has a 97% occupancy rate. This regional mall – which was developed with an estimated investment of US$50 million –, is located in the heart of Quilicura, in front of the town center and municipality. The architecture and landscaping of the mall was designed with its surroundings in mind, and this translated into developing an open air shopping mall with convenient access for shoppers arriving by vehicle or public transport. The mall is considered both a standard for future development projects and one of the most popular places to spend time with friends and family in the community. Arauco Quilicura has two Chilean department stores as anchors - Paris and Hites, each with more than 5,000 m2 - , various smaller stores, six movie theaters equipped with the latest technology operated by Cine Hoyts, a food court and ample parking. Sodimac home improvement store adds an additional 9,000 m2 and rounds out the mall´s complete commercial offering. About LEED Certification LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. The program studies the impact a building will have on its environment throughout its life span and evaluates its impact using the highest international standards. Contact: Samantha Zerbe Head of Investor Relations Parque Arauco [email protected] +562 2299 0608 .