Bethesda, January 26, 2009—EYA has begun construction on the nation’s largest LEED for Homes residential for-sale neighborhood at Capitol Quarter in Washington, D.C.  Located between the Navy Yard and Eastern Market Metro stations and adjacent to the new Yards development along DC’s Southeast riverfront, Capitol Quarter will feature over 210 for-sale townhomes. EYA intends to seek LEED for Homes certification from the USGBC for the project. 

Seeking LEED for Homes certification at Capitol Quarter is a natural fit. The neighborhood’s proximity to public transportation, employment centers, parks and neighborhood retail reduces the amount of time homeowners spend in their cars. Add to that environmentally-friendly building materials such as Energy Star appliances and windows, water saving plumbing fixtures, high efficiency heating and cooling equipment, and low VOC paints and finishes. The homes at Capitol Quarter provide more energy savings, better indoor air quality, and less impact on the environment than standard new townhomes—all qualities that the LEED for Homes program is designed to promote. 

Traditionally, LEED certification has been sought by builders for commercial buildings and custom residential homes. Capitol Quarter will serve as a model for volume builders in how to implement LEED for Homes on a larger scale. This is a significant step for the USGBC, as the organization continues to attract home builders that increasingly see the value in third-party certification for green claims. 

A project of this scale and scope signals to new home buyers that LEED for Homes has become the benchmark for healthy, efficient, durable and environmentally-friendly homes. Residents benefit from the improved quality of life that arises from being able to live, work, and play in the same neighborhood without having to commute long distances—a smart growth principle that is shaping more neighborhoods than ever. Certification under LEED for Homes also helps keep energy costs down so that homeowners can afford to stay in their homes.   

About:
EYA is an urban infill developer, specializing in new home communities and mixed-use developments. In the last 15 years, the company has built nearly 30 neighborhoods in the Washington Metropolitan area. The practice of building environmentally-friendly neighborhoods is not new to EYA, as the company has been utilizing the smart growth practices recommended by LEED for Homes for years. For more information on the company or its neighborhoods, visit www.EYA.com.

Founded in 1993, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit organization composed of leaders from across the building industry working to advance buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.  Driving its mission to transform the built environment is the Council’s LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification system. LEED is a third party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Over 4.2 billion square feet of building space are involved with the LEED program. For more information, visit www.USGBC.org.