By Indhira Desangles
Special for El Inmobiliario
Every time I visit a new development—be it an industrial warehouse, an office building, or a shopping center—there's one word that's always present in the presentation: "sustainable." We hear it everywhere: the building has LEED certification, it uses recycled materials, it has solar panels. But as someone who works in the commercial real estate world every day, I have to be frank: not everything that's painted green actually is, and even less of it generates a return on investment.
In Latin America—and increasingly in the Dominican Republic—the sustainable construction trend has arrived with force, but also with nuances. In some cases, it has become a marketing label. In others, it is a clear strategy for differentiation and efficiency that directly impacts a project's profitability. The key is to distinguish one from the other.
Is it working?
I've had the opportunity to represent properties with well-integrated solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, and structures designed to optimize energy consumption. These projects, beyond their environmental impact, attract more discerning tenants: multinationals with ESG commitments, logistics companies seeking to reduce operating costs, or retailers needing to align with their global parent brands.
In the Dominican Republic, we are already seeing concrete examples. Projects such as the Las Américas Free Trade Zone, where Hayco's plant obtained LEED Platinum certification, and the DP World Logistics Center are committed to efficiency and sustainability models. Even some corporate buildings in Santo Domingo are implementing LEED practices and energy footprint reduction technologies.
Among the most representative cases:
- Agora Mall, the first shopping center in Central America and the Caribbean with LEED Silver certification, thanks to its dome that maximizes natural light and its water and energy efficiency systems.
- The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) headquarters in Santo Domingo, with LEED Platinum certification, incorporates state-of-the-art solutions in environmental efficiency.
- Hayco's plant in Las Américas, a model of industrial sustainability, with solar panels, LED lighting, local materials and water collection systems.
- Vista 3.11, a corporate building in the Bella Vista district, was designed with sustainability in mind, featuring a ventilated facade, solar panels, greywater reuse, and is currently undergoing LEED certification. This building represents a new standard for premium office spaces seeking to attract companies that are mindful of their triple bottom line: economic, social, and environmental impact.
In the case of industrial buildings, a smart design that maximizes natural ventilation and reduces the use of artificial lighting can represent savings of up to 30% in operating costs. And when the occupant saves, the owner gains loyalty and experiences lower turnover.
And what about the decorative ones?
I've also seen the opposite: projects that use words like "eco" or "green" in their names, but offer little more than a couple of decorative plants and a vague promise of "environmental commitment." The danger here isn't just greenwashing, but the lack of strategic vision. In these cases, "sustainability" doesn't add value to the property or attract a different type of tenant.
Is it profitable to invest in sustainability?
From my experience in the sector, yes, it is… but only when it's done with intention, design, and financial focus. A truly sustainable building can have more stable appreciation, lower vacancy rates, and reduced operating costs, making it more attractive to both tenants and institutional buyers.
In the Dominican Republic, we are already beginning to see some incentives for energy efficiency, especially in public-private partnerships. And while there is still a long way to go in green building policies, the interest of foreign developers and investment funds in sustainable projects is growing, particularly in strategic areas such as Punta Cana, Santo Domingo West and East, where industrial parks are being developed with a long-term vision.
When should you consider LEED certification if you are developing a project?
The answer is: from day one. If you're in the conceptual design or preliminary design phase, you can (and should) already consider LEED certification for your building. Why? Because many of the LEED criteria—solar orientation, material types, cross ventilation, energy consumption, and water efficiency—are integrated from the architectural design stage, not improvised at the end.
What do you need to apply?
- A design and construction team familiar with LEED requirements.
- A sustainability consultant or specialist to guide the process from the beginning.
- Commitment to efficiency and quality, both in planning and execution.
- Clear documentation, measurements, and compliance with the LEED credits established according to the version and type of project (new construction, core & shell, interiors, etc.).
In addition to the environmental impact, LEED certification improves your project's positioning, increases its perceived value, and differentiates you in an increasingly competitive market.
In short, sustainability isn't a fad. It's a new standard. But we need to know how to distinguish between projects that only aim to look good on social media and those truly designed to be efficient, generate savings, and protect the environment. As investors, brokers, or developers, we have a responsibility to ask the right questions and push the sector toward a more profitable and greener future.
The author is a commercial realtor with over 20 years of experience in commercial and corporate real estate in the Dominican Republic.
