In an era of growing social and environmental responsibility, sustainable business practices are a growing trend. Sustainability can be defined as the ability to meet the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations.
A partnership of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce Developers Council, the Master of Environmental Studies Student Association (MESSA) from the College of Charleston and The Sustainability Institute, the Sustainable Charleston Awards Program recognizes and promotes businesses or organizations that successfully balance community development, growth management and environmental stewardship.
One recent Sustainable Charleston 2006 award winner was Brentwood Homes. “Green building is important to the homeowner in generating savings throughout the life of the home while adding absolutely no additional cost to the building,” explained Ted Terry, vice president and general manager of Brentwood Homes Inc. “We are always looking for innovative ways to benefit our customers, and it’s a no-brainer to focus on better building practices to reduce energy costs while contributing to a cleaner environment. ”Brentwood Homes is the largest private builder in Charleston, one of the largest green builders in the state, and among the top in the country.
In 2005, Brentwood Homes was selected by Noisette, a public/private partnership responsible for the redevelopment of a large portion of North Charleston real estate, to be one of the larger builders in Oak Terrace Preserve. Oak Terrace Preserve is a 55-acre, environmentally friendly residential development in North Charleston, S.C. Construction began late last year and is scheduled for completion in 2009.
Eventually, that development will transform a dilapidated part of inner-city North Charleston into a “green” neighborhood with about 375 sustainable houses starting at $200,000, Project Manager Elias Deeb said.
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