With more than 24 million square feet of space across 12 states, company earned LEED certification for 27 buildings in 2024 and installed solar energy system in 388-unit multifamily community

BALTIMORE, MD – St. John Properties, Inc., a Baltimore-based full-service commercial real estate development and management company that has developed over 24 million square feet across 12 states, amplified its sustainability activities in 2024. The effort was highlighted by earning LEED certification for 27 buildings, advancing the roll-out of its solar strategy nationally, and installing the largest solar project in the company’s history at Aspen at Melford Town Center.

27 buildings earned LEED certification in 2024 

Since initiating its LEED program in 2009, St. John Properties has developed more than 7.7 million square feet of LEED certified space across the country and is ranked within the top five developers of LEED certified buildings nationwide by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Last year, the company earned certifications from the USGBC for 27 buildings, and now in total has more than 130 LEED-certified buildings. As part of this program, the company is installing electric vehicle charging stations or underground conduits at all newly constructed flex and office buildings. This is in addition to upgrading the lighting to LED in all existing buildings and using building materials and asset management practices that conserve natural resources, save energy, and reduce operating costs.

“Achieving LEED certification for flex/R&D buildings is atypical in the commercial real estate industry, but we have been compelled to be the market leader,” said Ryan Schwabenbauer St. John Properties’ Vice President, Sustainability. “It is particularly rewarding to receive input from clients relaying appreciation from their employees for spending their workday in a green building.”

“Once again, St. John Properties demonstrates what is possible with firm commitments to sustainable development,” stated Ryan Snow, Regional Director, U.S. Market Transformation & Development for the U.S. Green Building Council. “By embracing LEED and implementing green building practices, St. John Properties remains a major player in green building.”

Nationwide roll-out of scalable and economic solar strategy

Schwabenbauer explained that St. John Properties installed rooftop solar systems on more than 10 new buildings in the past year, and in lockstep with the company’s expansion into new markets, continues to roll this program out across the country. In recent years, St. John Properties opened new regional offices in Florida, North Carolina and Texas, and recently planted its flag in Tennessee.

Schwabenbauer said that the solar program makes both economic and environmental sense. “Technological advancements in recent years have increased the capacity of solar cells which makes the equipment last longer and operate more efficiently. This has created more confidence and comfort among developers and end-users,” he said. “As companies strive to reduce their carbon footprint, the use of solar energy is a clean, highly visible, and productive way to achieve those goals.”

St. John Properties has partnered with Capital Solar Group on its solar energy initiatives. The company has more than 40 years of experience delivering renewable energy solutions to the commercial real estate industry. According to company Founder and Principal Michael Ryan, “this approach has picked up steam in recent years fueled by end-user demand for these processes.”

“Return on investment is typically the first and most prominent question asked by building owners and managers as they research solar energy programs,” said Ryan. “There are altruistic reasons for investing in solar energy and that drives the interests of many companies, and there are true cost savings. As a long-term holder of assets, St. John Properties has the ability to depreciate the installation costs over an extended time period.” 

Delivering the largest solar energy project in St. John Properties’ history

St. John Properties and Capital Solar Group installed the largest solar energy system in company history at Aspen at Melford Town Center. The 388-unit, $150 million multifamily community features studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartment homes and was developed in partnership with Somerset Companies, LLC. As part of the strategy, the community offers residents a price guarantee on utility expenses for the first year. This entails a guaranteed maximum average monthly utility bill ranging from $34 for a studio and $84 for units exceeding 1,200 square feet of space.

“The scope of the solar array at Aspen at Melford Town Center is what differentiates this project,” explained Schwabenbauer. “We anticipate covering approximately 40 percent of the total energy usage of the multifamily community which we believe makes the development unique.”

Founded in 1971, St. John Properties, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest and most successful privately held commercial real estate firms. The company is distinguished by its commitment to customer service, achievements in green building, and top-rated workplace culture. Throughout St. John Properties’ 53-year history, the company has developed more than 24 million square feet of flex/R&D, office, retail, and warehouse space and has investments in over 3,000 residential units. The company proudly serves more than 2,600 clients in Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Utah, and Wisconsin. For more information about the company, visit www.sjpi.com.