IGD – Immobiliare Grande Distribuzione SIIQ S.p.A., one of the main players in Italy’s retail real estate market and listed on the STAR segment of the Italian Stock Exchange, announces that Centro Sarca has obtained BREEAM environmental certification post-restyling and is one of the first existing shopping centers in Italy to receive it.

This certification is one of the most important international recognized standards for environmental sustainability of buildings; it pays special attention to the overall improvement of the visitors’ well-being.

Centro Sarca’s BREEAM certification, which is added to the UNI EN ISO 14001 environmental certification obtained in 2013, was awarded thanks to the environmentally friendly management of the construction site (great importance was paid to recycling and waste disposal), as well as the work down inside (LED lighting is used throughout the Center) and outside (the Center can be reached by way of a new bike path).

The Center (opened in 2003) underwent general restyling, both inside and outside, in order to meet the needs of those visitors who pay increasingly more attention to trends, functionality and comfort and for whom attention to environmental sustainability is definitely a significant plus.  The work that was completed year-end 2015 made it possible to improve performances: one example, tenants’ sales increased (rising +21.5% in the first five months of the year against the same period 2015).

“Obtaining this certification represents a significant step forward in the path to sustainability undertaken by IGD beginning in 2010 and an important goal in our Sustainability Plan 2015-2018.  It is testimony to a 360 degree commitment to environmental sustainability during both the construction/restyling and management phases.  This certification, in fact, goes hand in hand with the work we are doing to obtain UNI EN ISO 14001 certification for  90% of our centers by 2018.” Roberto Zoia, IGD SIIQ’s Director of Asset Management and Development, stated.