ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AMLI Residential, a leading developer of sustainable, multifamily rental properties, announced October 17, its AMLI Ponce Park community has achieved Fitwel Certification under the Multifamily Residential Scorecard, the first accreditation of its kind in Atlanta and any of the Southern states.
The Fitwel Certification System, a joint effort by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the General Services Administration, is a third-party, evidence-based global building certification system that promotes public health through building design. It was expanded to include multifamily housing structures in November 2017.
“The Fitwel Certification complements AMLI Ponce Park’s design achievement as a LEED Platinum building,” said Erin Hatcher, AMLI’s Vice President of Sustainability. “We strive to be on the forefront of providing our residents with homes that are not only better for the environment, but better for them, too. The Fitwel Certification demonstrates our overall commitment to health, wellness and sustainability.”
The Center for Active Design (CfAD), the nonprofit operator of Fitwel, rated AMLI Ponce Park’s promotion of public health using more than 55 design and operational components that address a broad range of health behaviors and risks. AMLI Ponce Park achieved high marks for its walkability of location, access to public transportation and trails, outdoor spaces, resident access to healthy food options, smoke-free environment, and greater accessibility and visibility of stairwells rather than elevators.
AMLI Ponce Park’s design also promotes the mental wellbeing of residents with restorative amenities including natural views and lighting in each apartment and common areas, an outdoor pool tucked into a natural setting, and an adjacent courtyard with greenery, benches and a fountain.
“By achieving Fitwel Certification, AMLI demonstrates the power of design in impacting health in the residential environment,” said Lisa Creighton, CfAD’s Vice President of Strategy and Development. “Residents will be able to thrive in AMLI Ponce Park’s well-designed indoor and outdoor spaces that support their ability to lead healthy and active lives.”
AMLI is a leader in multifamily sustainability. Thirty-three AMLI communities – almost half of the company’s portfolio – are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified and 25 AMLI communities are ENERGY STAR certified. AMLI’s goal is to grow its portfolio to more than 50 percent LEED-certified properties by 2019. In August 2018, AMLI received a LEED Power Builder Award from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which recognizes developers that certify at least 90 percent of their units built in the past year.
About AMLI Residential
AMLI Residential focuses on the development, construction and management of environmentally responsible, luxury apartment communities throughout the U.S. Founded in 1980, AMLI is owned by PRIME Property Fund, a core commingled institutional fund. AMLI currently owns and manages 61 apartment communities including more than 20,000 apartment homes and has over 5,100 additional apartment homes under development or in lease-up at 14 new properties, all of which are, or will be, LEED-certified. More information is available at www.amli.com.
Fitwel and the Center for Active Design
Named one of Fast Company’s 2017 Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Social Good, Fitwel is the premiere global health certification system for optimizing building design and operations. Generated by expert analysis of over 3,000 academic research studies, Fitwel is implementing a vision for a healthier future where all buildings and communities are enhanced to strengthen health and wellbeing. Fitwel was created as a joint initiative led by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention together with the General Services Administration. The Center for Active Design, an international non-profit that uses design to foster healthy and engaged communities, was awarded the exclusive operating license in 2016 with the mandate to expand Fitwel globally to the private sector. More information is available at www.fitwel.org.
