The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute Launches Development of Its New Health-Based Product Emissions Standard for All Indoor Environments

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) announces initiation of its comprehensive product emissions standard for indoor products. Indoor air is known to be 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air. In newly constructed homes and buildings, levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde can be significantly higher. Exposure to these pollutants can lead to short-term irritation and discomfort and long-term exposure can lead to more... 

SoCal Fires Strike Those Who Often Reject Insurance

Mobile home owners and renters often choose to go without property insurance, potentially exposing them to catastrophic losses such as those suffered in Southern California’s weekend firestorms. Nearly 500 manufactured homes and more than 80 apartments were destroyed in the fires. While it’s unclear how many were uninsured, about 82,000 – or 25 percent — of the state’s mobile homes don’t carry insurance, according to a Sacramento Bee... 

Santa Clarita Named Los Angeles County’s Most Business-Friendly City for 2008 by Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation

The City of Santa Clarita is the most business-friendly city in Los Angeles County, according to the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). The award was presented to the City of Santa Clarita at the 13th annual Eddy Awards at The Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills. The City of Santa Clarita was recognized among a highly competitive group of cities with populations over 50,000, including Pasadena, Cerritos, Glendale, and Long Beach. “We... 

Dahlin Group Noted for Seniors Design

Dahlin Group Architecture Planning announces top honors for innovative senior housing design in The Green House® Design Charrette, sponsored by the Ideas Institute of Kirtland, Ohio. The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) hosted the awards as part of its annual conference, held in mid October in Philadelphia. The Green House model aims to de-institutionalize long-term care by eliminating the need for large nursing facilities,... 

CaesarStone Meets Growing Customer Need by Opening Up a New Division in Atlanta, Georgia

CaesarStone, the original quartz surface manufacturer, is happy to announce the opening of its new division in Atlanta, Georgia. The new facility will offer CaesarStone and Concetto product lines — stocked and supported by our customer care department, servicing the entire Atlanta area. “With this new division, we will be able to give you the best customer service in the industry,” said Tony Mills, Director of Southeast Operations.... 

Tresor Properties and Renowned Architect Embark on Two Oceanfront Homes in Laguna Beach

Tresor Properties, a premier Laguna Beach, Calif., real estate investment, construction and brokerage company, has selected renowned architect Mark Singer to develop two oceanfront homes in Laguna Beach. “We enjoy working with Mark [Singer] and seeing the results of his innovative and pioneering approach to luxury home design,” said Jeff Fischbeck, vice president of sales and investments at Tresor Properties. “These exquisite upcoming properties... 

Andres Gavinet Appointed CFO of Younan Properties

Younan Properties, Inc., one of the nation’s largest privately-held real estate investment and asset management companies, announced that it has appointed Andres R. Gavinet to the new post of Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Gavinet will leverage his significant real estate experience to support Younan’s growing portfolio of nearly 15.0 million square feet of Class A office space. According to Zaya S. Younan, Chairman and CEO of Younan, “Andres... 

Despite Economy, Study Reveals Greening of Building Portfolios Remains a Priority for Commercial Real Estate Industry

Despite a faltering economy, commercial building owners are continuing to allocate funds and resources to green their portfolios. According to the “2008 Green Survey: Existing Buildings,” the second annual national survey of the commercial real estate sector, more than 80 percent of respondents have allocated funds to green initiatives this year. In addition, 45 percent said that their sustainability investment will increase in 2009. Findings... 

Guardian Management LLC Signs Agreement to Acquire Atherton-Newport Assets in Excess of 4,000 Multifamily Units

Guardian Management LLC (Guardian), a Pacific Northwest real estate investment and asset management firm specializing in multifamily housing investments, has signed preliminary agreements to acquire the real estate portfolio of Atherton-Newport Investments (ANI). ANI is a multifamily housing firm, based in Orange County California, which has been working under Chapter 11 reorganization since January. The assets to be acquired by Guardian include more... 

ProLogis Announces First Photovoltaic Project in Japan

ProLogis the world’s largest owner, manager and developer of distribution facilities, announced today that it will install its first photovoltaic (PV) system in Japan. ProLogis will install a one-megawatt (MW) PV system at ProLogis Parc Zama I, a five-story distribution facility totaling more than 1.2 million square feet (113,000 square meters). The park is located in the city of Zama, a logistics hub in Japan’s Kanagawa Prefecture. The...