The Tower Companies’ Blair Towns multi-family residential project has received LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The certification was under the rating system for the Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (EBOM). Blair Towns is the first project in the world to achieve such certification.
The Tower Companies’ Blair Towns
Tower's The Blairs, a residential complex in Silver Spring, MD received the USGBC LEED-certified for the New Construction in 2004. The company, as a champion of green buildings, has transformed the Blair Towns project, which had already achieved LEED-certification to the LEED Platinum level of certification.
The Tower Companies has increased the green features of its existing properties. It manages IAQ and waste, and ensures environmentally friendly materials purchases during the turnover process of the apartment units. Materials such as paint and carpets are also eco-friendly. The company purchases 100% carbon offsets and RECs. It has used low flow fixtures and does not use any potable water for irrigation purposes. The Blair Towns buildings are 32% more energy efficient when compared to other equivalent buildings. As the residential complex is located near a transit hub and metro, the residents are likely to use carpools or public transportation.
Blair Towns is the 12th project in Maryland to receive Platinum LEED-certification and the third in Maryland to receive Platinum under USGBC’s EB rating system.