BALTIMORE (January 28, 2010) – The Maryland Chapter of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) has recognized St. John Properties, Inc. with the organization’s “Green Transformation Award,” citing the commercial real estate firm’s company-wide efforts in the area of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building designs and systems. In the past year alone, St. John Properties has initiated construction on 15 LEED-certified buildings and has registered more than 50 additional projects for LEED certification.

The real estate development company has completed buildings that have been LEED-certified for Core & Shell and performed LEED-certified Commercial Interior improvements. According to specifications from the USGBC, Core and Shell covers base building elements such as the basic structure, envelope and heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Melford Plaza II, a four-story, 155,000 square foot Class “A” office building in Prince George’s County, is an example of a St. John project that earned LEED Silver certification for Core and Shell in 2009.

All of St. John Properties’ new construction projects feature a higher standard of insulated shell and reflective roofing systems, as well as energy-efficient glazing and energy systems.

In addition to new construction activities, St. John Properties has incorporated sustainability features into existing buildings within its portfolio of Class “A” multi-story and single-story, research and development (R&D)/flex and retail projects. This includes items such as retrofitting a building’s HVAC system to a higher standard and installing new energy-efficient lighting systems and windows. Outside irrigation systems have also been redesigned to incorporate new water saving features that can cut water usage by up to 50%.

“This recognition by USGBC is particularly gratifying because of our corporate philosophy — established several years ago — to create new standards in the area of sustainable development in the commercial real estate industry,” explained Jerry Wit, Senior Vice President-Marketing for St. John Properties. “We have received a significant amount of positive feedback from existing and prospective tenants who have embraced the new design elements incorporated into our project, and who share our vision.”

“St. John Properties has made unparalleled innovations in commercial real estate to take green building to the next level. They are to be applauded for advancing green building and sustainable business for themselves and for their commercial tenants,” said Stuart Kaplow, Chair, U.S. Green Building Council-Maryland.

St. John Properties, Inc., founded in 1971 as MIE Properties, owns and has developed more than 14 million square feet of R&D/flex, warehouse, office and retail space in Maryland, Colorado, Louisiana, Virginia and Wisconsin. For more information about the company, visit sjp.mu9b0uf9-liquidwebsites.com.

# # #

For more information, contact:
Al Cunniff, Director of Marketing, St. John Properties, Inc.
410-369-1277