As the construction boom continues to heat up in Miami, so does the prestige of joining an ever expanding group of development projects earning LEED status singling them out as eco-friendly sites. And what might not be labeled a pioneering effort (many places all over the world have been “green” for some time), for Miami, a city notorious for its lack of environmental controls, being LEED certified is an achievement to be celebrated. As a third-party verification provider, the voluntary Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is depended on to promote design and construction practices that reduce environmental impacts of buildings while also increasing profitability.

These two shades of green (money and environmental impact) are drawing in a number of large construction projects who have sought out and received LEED certification. For example, The Dome restaurant in Coral Gables, the 1450 Brickell office building, and the Grove at Grand Bay condo towers in Coconut Grove have either already attained or are on the verge of attaining LEED recognition. These projects, along with nearly 80 other Miami-Dade County projects, have gained their designation through efficient use of water and energy, high indoor air quality, the use of sustainable materials, and other factors.

Indeed, 1 Hotel & Residences South Beach recently renovated its structure to an LEED-certified building while retaining 95 percent of the existing structure. But now the building sues over one-third less water and is 15 percent more efficient than building code standards.

But the marketing opportunities afforded to LEED buildings are perhaps the most powerful impetus bringing high-dollar construction projects into the environmentalist fold. More and more, having a reputation for being environmentally friendly is becoming a status symbol in Miami, and not only saves money through reductions in resource usage but brings a unique form of positive media exposure that portrays an image of both modernity, innovation, and social responsibility.

Photos of LEED buildings:

1 Hotel & Residences South Beach	1450 Brickel	Grove at Grand Bay