Four retailers at Destiny USA achieve LEED certification

Destiny USA retailers continue to add to the facility's success in green development with individual LEED certifications. Quiksilver, Wilson's Leather, Marc Ecko and Five Below have obtained official LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Quiksilver's store on the second level received LEED Gold with points awarded for water efficiency, green power, participation in the construction waste management program, implementing an indoor air quality plan during construction and a thermal comfort design. Quiksilver is Destiny USA's first LEED Gold certified venue within the expansion. Wilson's Leather achieved LEED Silver certification with sustainability initiatives including water efficiency, reduced lighting energy loads by 25%, implementation of an indoor air quality plan and construction materials that contain low volatile organic compounds (VOC) paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants and flooring systems. Similar to Quiksilver, its store on the second level integrated a thermal comfort design. Also on the second level, Five Below and Marc Ecko received LEED Certified status by tying into existing Destiny USA sustainability efforts while enhancing water efficiency (up to 72% water use reduction), signing long term leases which conserves construction materials over the life of the space and creating an indoor air quality plan for the space. "Each and every LEED certification inside the space is an achievement and truly exciting for us," Melissa Perry, consultant for sustainability at Destiny USA, said. "The construction and development of the core and shell of the building, which is now the largest LEED gold certified retail building in the world, taught us a lot. Now, we can use these skills and efforts to work with the great construction teams and architects on site to make each space unique and green." Destiny USA obtained LEED Gold certification in February 2012. The new expansion requires all new venues to build sustainable spaces as part of a USGBC campus plan. ### Destiny USA is a 2.4 million square foot tourist destination in Syracuse, NY that includes a strong mix of luxury outlet tenants, restaurants and entertainment. New brands are continuing to open to create a unique and dynamic consumer shopping experience. A stunning three-story glass atrium provides perfect weather year round. Oxford Economics has projected an annual visitation rate of over 29 million visitors from throughout the U.S. and Canada. Destiny USA is expected to be the second most visited shopping center in the country, according to Travel and Leisure magazine. It is the largest LEED® Gold certified retail commercial building in the world.