DENVER – NAVA Real Estate Development (NAVA), a Denver-based commercial development firm, announced today that its retail center in Frisco is officially the first commercial project to achieve LEED Certification in Summit County, Colorado. Located just off I-70 on Summit Boulevard, the main thoroughfare between Frisco and Breckenridge, the retail center was the last remaining parcel of undeveloped land along the corridor. “The LEED designation aligns directly with NAVA’s commitment to absolute quality, and creating environmentally-conscious spaces that enrich the communities in which they are located,” stated developer Brian Levitt of NAVA.
As the first LEED Certified core and shell retail center in Summit County, the development was recognized for its achievements in water and energy efficiency, environmental stewardship, recycling measures, use of sustainable resources, quality of materials and overall innovation and design. “The NAVA Frisco Retail Center is a great milestone for Summit County,” says Steve Loppnow of YR&G Sustainability, who served as the LEED Advisor for the project. “It reminds us that green building aligns with our highest ideals for environmentally-conscious design and construction. We hope this project spurs more green building development in Frisco and the rest of Summit County.”
NAVA engaged the international architecture firm Gensler to design the center. “For commercial development, LEED is the benchmark for assessing high-performance in design and construction. Sustainability has always been a core element of Gensler’s design philosophy,” notes Jon Gambrill, managing director for Gensler. “The Frisco Retail Center not only allowed us to develop a project that was influenced by Frisco’s history and regional aesthetic, it also allowed us to maintain a design standard for more resourceful, resilient, and regenerative buildings that can also impact Frisco in a beneficial way.”
The site is now home to Natural Grocers, Starbucks, Which Wich and Breckenridge Dermatology. With more than one million cars passing by the site each year, it is a prime location for retailers seeking to capture both local and seasonal visitors.
NAVA is also developing several high-quality, environmentally-progressive projects in Colorado, including Lakehouse Condominiums on Sloan’s Lake near downtown Denver. Lakehouse is the first residential project in Colorado, and one of the first residential developments in the world, to pilot and pursue WELL Building Certification (www.wellcertified.com). The community will deliver 196 for-sale residences designed with earth-friendly materials, high-quality finishes, enhanced air, light and water standards, and a unique amenity program that encourages a healthy and social lifestyle.