Burwood Brickworks shopping centre has opened its doors in Burwood East, Victoria with a focus on sustainability by working to meet the criteria of the Living Building Challenge (LBC) performance standard – something that has never been attempted in retail.
LBC calls for building projects to meet a series of performance requirements including net zero energy, waste and water over a minimum of 12 months of continuous occupancy.
Frasers Property Australia executive general manager – retail, Peri Macdonald said LBC requirements is more than technical sustainability.
“We are looking at beauty and spirit, biophilia, urban agriculture and equitable investment which are all factors that challenge the normal procedures and operations of shopping centres globally and align with our vision to create greener hubs for local communities,” he said.
Anchor tenants include Woolworths, Dan Murphy’s, Reading Cinemas, acre farm & eatery, Cannings Butchers and Choice Pharmacy. Other stores including Little Mandarin Yoga & Pilates, Dogue Pet Store, Glossed Nails and Norwood Café will progressively open in December with Insight Early Learning and a range of cafés and restaurants to open in the New Year.
Woolworths director of format development, Rob McCartney said the company was delighted to have secured a key retail tenancy in the world-leading sustainability project which aligns with Woolworths’ own environmental commitments.
“We recognise the environmental impact of our operations and understand we have a responsibility to lead in this space. The opening of Woolworths at Burwood Brickworks is a further step in our long-term ambition to reduce our environmental impact and operate our stores more sustainably.”