Sustainability at Pearl

From Texas' largest solar installation to drought-resistant Xeriscaping, Pearl is committed to sustainability.  It started with preserving the historic brewery buildings and has grown to a host of environmentally friendly practices.

Site Selection

  • A walkable location, plenty of bicycle parking, and nearby transit stops mean less need to drive.
  • San Antonio Bike Share participants with station at the Pearl bike valet incentives.
  • All non-potable water on site is either recycled or captured rain water made possible through a public/private partnership between San Antonio Water System (SAWS) and Pearl
  • The Aveda Institute, San Antonio, was the first business in the community to use 100 percent Windtricity electricity.
  • By the year 2012 Pearl will have planted a total of 662 trees property wide (307 major trees such as elms, oaks, and sycamores; and 355 smaller trees such as mountain laurels and persimmons).

Water Efficiency

Water is a precious resource, especially in Central Texas.

  • All non-potable water is recycled or captured rainwater.
  • Designers have selected beautiful and functional high-efficiency plumbing fixtures that use less water than typical fixtures with recycling functions.
  • Certification with San Antonio Water System (SAWS) recycled water sources, reducing costs an estimated 50 percent.
  • The landscape of attractive native and adapted plants embodies the natural character of San Antonio while requiring less water. The project's green space will use approximately one-fifth of the water an average landscape would require.

Energy Efficiency

Pearl consumes less energy and emits fewer greenhouse gases.

  • Energy efficient windows and ample building insulation lead to more comfortable indoor spaces at lower operating costs.
  • Energy Star-rated appliances.

Materials & Resources

Sustainable construction practices and responsible materials selection are key to Pearl's commitment to being environmental leaders. The project's use of high-quality building materials with a significant percentage of recycled content encourages the diversion of waste from landfills and conserves virgin resources.

Indoor Environmental Quality

Pearl's indoor environment promotes health and wellness.

  • The design team selected low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints, carpet and other materials that contribute to healthy, high-quality indoor air.
  • Living spaces are designed to maximize access to outdoor views and daylight while keeping indoor temperatures comfortable.
  • Windows in Pearl are double-paned, tinted and have a low solar heat gain coefficient, minimizing the solar radiation that enters interior spaces in the heat of summer.
  • Smoking is prohibited in all public areas at Pearl.

LEED Gold Certification

Pearl is registered with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system administered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) – one of the most stringent measures of sustainability in the world – and achieved Gold Level certification for the Full Goods and CIA Buildings.

Full Goods Building features a learning lab for environmental initiatives including:

  • 200-kilowatt solar installation, generating one-fourth of the building's energy
  • Energy conserving high-performance insulation
  • Reflective roofing, high-performance glass, solar blocking screens and low energy lighting
  • Rainwater is collected and stored in recycled beer cisterns to supplement drought-resistant Xeriscaping irrigation.