Among the numerous accolades awarded to both the Bridgeland community and The Woodlands for utilizing innovative approaches to landscaping, irrigation, water conveyance and sustainability, the recent achievement of a LEED precertification for two Howard Hughes master planned communities is quite possibly the most important of them all. In fact, both Bridgeland and The Woodlands are the first communities in Texas to receive this status, with The Woodlands being the largest MPC in the world to earn the precertification. The concept of creating master planned communities that lift lifestyles while simultaneously nurturing nature was conceived almost five decades ago. Some applications, especially water conveyance, are now considered the model for all future development in the region.
“Our work to achieve LEED precertification of The Woodlands—a large-scale, award-winning community that opened in 1974 and is today home to over 120,000 residents—exemplifies The Howard Hughes Corporation’s commitment to the long-term vision of founder George Mitchell for creating a self-sustaining ecosystem, one that anticipated to a remarkable degree almost 50 years ago the principles of ESG that today guide development across our national portfolio,” said David R. O’Reilly, Chief Executive Officer of The Howard Hughes Corporation.
WHAT IS A LEED PRECERTIFICATION?
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The designation was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in 1998. It established a rating system for environmental responsibility and effective use of resources for all aspects of building construction, from design through build and maintenance of buildings, communities and cities. Compiled by engaging with hundreds of cities and communities around the globe, the framework of LEED aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and is constantly evolving. The vision to reduce waste, water consumption and pollution, and to protect, enhance and restore ecosystems for more sustainable and regenerative resources, while also enhancing quality of life and human health is one that is brought to life in Bridgeland and The Woodlands. A LEED precertification recognizes that a community’s progress is on track to achieve these goals.
There are many features about Bridgeland that set it apart from surrounding communities. From the miles of trails and waterways to our award-winning amenity centers, exceptional schools and on-site public works of art, The Howard Hughes Corporation builds for the future, creating communities that are as beautiful as they are sustainable. New residents are drawn to the community and the ease at which you can find yourself immersed in nature. A simple chore like walking the dog becomes a task you look forward to doing. Walkways take you through paths canopied by trees to the edge of the water. Sightings of birds and scents of native plants wash over you, taking away the day’s tension. It all starts with masterful design and a vision to create places like Bridgeland and The Woodlands where residents and nature live in harmony.
“A sustainable community strives to offer its residents a higher living standard. A LEED community takes action and delivers measurable outcomes that improve the overall quality of life for residents,” said Peter Templeton, Interim CEO, United States Green Building Council. “Given the extraordinary importance of climate protection, building more resilient communities is crucial and The Woodlands and Bridgeland LEED precertification is a symbol of their leadership.”
With Bridgeland and The Woodlands, The Howard Hughes Corporation is transforming the way buildings and communities are designed, built and maintained. The LEED designation is confirmation that Howard Hughes is setting and achieving eco-friendly benchmarks and is dedicated to making their communities healthy, resilient, inclusive, and inherently sustainable for residents.
“People and businesses want to be located in communities that they trust will embody their values while offering an exceptional quality of life,” said Jim Carman, President of the Houston Region for The Howard Hughes Corporation. “We take a people-centric approach to developing vital, sustainable communities that enhance the quality of life of all in our communities—an approach that is intrinsically linked to economic growth and community outreach programs that support our environmental and social measures designed to increase energy efficiencies, lower our carbon footprint, and increase community connectivity.”
Learn more about living in Bridgeland, The Woodlands or our sister community The Woodlands Hills.