Sustainability on a Grand Scale
The Grand is registered with the USGBC under the LEED for New Construction. Each tower will achieve LEED Silver certification or higher, for implementing practical, measurable strategies aimed at: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
The development increases density and provides much-need housing, including affordable units. In replacing a former parking garage, The Grand will reduce the amount of land dedicated to parking — instead creating a pedestrian- and bike-friendly environment that will meet LEED standards for Neighborhood Development of Mixed Income Diverse Communities.
Alternative Transportation and Mobility
- Within walking distance to the Civic Center Metro station, the future Regional Connector (opening 2022), and several bus lines.
- On-Demand Electric Vehicle car sharing amenity for residents.
- Level II, Electric Vehicle charging stations, including a portion that will be publicly accessible, doubling the LEED requirement for EV charging stations, and further positioning the city of Los Angeles as the leading city in the US for providing publicly accessible EV charging stations.
- More than 150 bicycle parking spaces will be available for public and private use.
Water Use Reduction
- Two cisterns are designed to capture and treat 78,000 gallons of rainfall that will be reused for irrigation, which will reduce the need to irrigate with potable drinking water.
- Low-flow plumbing fixtures will reduce indoor water use by 30%, which lessens the impact on California’s drought-like conditions, and minimizes the energy needed to heat domestic hot water.
- Planting palette and irrigation systems will lessen the need for potable and non-portable water.
Reduced Energy Use
- A comprehensive commissioning program will ensure energy related systems are operated and will meet efficiency standards as intended.
- Energy reduction strategies include a high efficiency HVAC system that supplies chilled and hot water to the hotel; high-efficiency water source heat pumps in the residential tower; high-efficiency boiler for domestic hot water; LED lighting; ENERGY STAR equipment and appliances; and smart thermostats. Both projects are designed to exceed the LEED baseline for energy performance by more than 20%.
- Use of refrigerants that will minimize impacts of climate change.
Materials
- To remove the former parking garage that once occupied the space, more than 600 tons of metal and 1400 tons of concrete will be recycled or crushed for re-use.
- Buildings are designed with high-solar reflectivity to help reduce the environmental temperatures on the street level and around the property.
- Specification of materials with high recycled content and sourced within 500-miles of project site where practical.
- Infrastructure will promote recycling during occupancy and operations.
- Recycling program for demolition and construction debris.
Indoor Environmental Quality
- Implementation of an Indoor Air Quality plan during construction to promote healthier indoor air for construction workers and future occupants.
- Specification of low emitting materials for improved indoor and outdoor air quality.
- High level of individual controls in residential units and hotel rooms, including smart thermostats to suit individual comfort and lighting needs.