Mosaic Receives Silver Certification as a LEED for Neighborhood Development Plan

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Edens & Avant announces that Mosaic has achieved Silver Certification as a LEED for Neighborhood Development Plan. Located near the intersection of Interstate 66 and The Beltway (I-495) in Washington, D.C., Mosaic is a 31-acre mixed-use development designed to revitalize the Merrifield area in Fairfax County.

One of 239 pilot projects selected by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2007, Mosaic is paving the way as a model for creating sustainable neighborhoods. The development will create a new center for the community in the heart of Fairfax County. An infill development on the site of a former multiplex theater, Mosaic is planned to include over 400,000 square feet of retail, 1,000 residential units, 65,000 square feet of office, two parks, two boutique hotels and an eight-screen arthouse cinema. The first phase of the project is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in Fall 2012.

"Every detail of Mosaic has been carefully considered from masterplanning through the recycling of construction materials," said Bill Caldwell, Managing Director for Edens & Avant.  "Our development goal of creating a unique community with an active street life that combines retail, entertainment, residential, office, hotel and parks space, will be realized through the application of LEED-ND principles."

Sustainable features include a 20,000 square foot green roof and electric car charging stations and advanced stormwater management systems. Alternative forms of transportation are encouraged throughout the plan—the site is within walking distance to Metro, accommodates bicycle commuters, and the center will have a shuttle service to public transportation.

"As a company, we are committed to stewardship," said Jodie W. McLean, President and Chief Investment Officer, Edens & Avant. "Mosaic is a demonstration of how we are incorporating sustainable design principles to build communities and neighborhoods surrounding our shopping centers." Edens & Avant has rolled out a sustainability guide across all owned and property-managed centers throughout the East Coast.

As a pilot project for LEED-ND, Mosaic's development team was selected to participate in a smaller focus group of 60 projects to help create the new rating system, which was officially released in 2009. Designed by the U.S. Green Building Council, Congress for the New Urbanism, and Natural Resources Defense Council, the LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system evaluates the design and construction elements that bring buildings together into a neighborhood, and relate that neighborhood to its larger region and landscape, such as site selection and urban design.

To keep up to date on Mosaic, please visit www.mosaicdistrict.com or follow on www.facebook.com/MosaicDistrict or on Twitter @MosaicDistrict.

About Edens & Avant

Edens & Avant develops, owns and operates neighborhood shopping places in primary markets throughout the East Coast, including 37 retail centers in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Focusing on retail in major metro areas, the Company has built a portfolio of more than 128 retail centers in 15 states. Edens & Avant has Regional Headquarters in Washington DC, Atlanta, Boston, Miami and Columbia, SC. For additional information about the Company and its retail real estate portfolio, please visit www.edensandavant.com.

SOURCE Edens & Avant