Eight Simon malls earn sustainability certification

The Institute of Real Estate Management has awarded its sustainable property certification on eight malls owned by Simon Property Group.

Simon's newly certified centers are Barton Creek Square, Briarwood Mall, Great Mall, Mall of Georgia, Tampa Premium Outlets, The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, Wrentham Village Premium Outlets and Grove City Premium Outlets.

To earn the certification, a property must first meet key baseline requirements, and then earn necessary points across energy, water, health, recycling and purchasing categories.

"Practicing sustainable building management reduces carbon emissions, waste, water and energy use, and it reduces building expenses," said current IREM President Chip Watts, who is president of Watts Realty in Birmingham, Ala. "Earning IREM's CSP certification makes properties more attractive to building owners and tenants, who are increasingly aware of the impact of buildings on our environment.”

Simon is collaborating with tenants to reduce water usage and carbon emissions by more than 20% and is outfitting all of its properties with EV charging stations.

"Sustainability is not just about good design – it's about asset performance that results from quality property management, and we are proud to embody that daily," said Simon’s general counsel and secretary Steve Fivel.