Historic Preservation & Sustainability

Historic preservation is inherently one of the most sustainable forms of development because it prioritizes reusing the buildings and materials we already have rather than consuming new energy and resources to construct from scratch. By extending the life of existing structures, preservation avoids the massive carbon footprint associated with demolition and new construction, keeps thousands of tons of debris out of landfills, and conserves the embodied energy already invested in a building’s materials and craftsmanship. At the same time, sensitive upgrades can dramatically improve energy performance without erasing historic character. The result is development that supports environmental responsibility, strengthens community identity, and delivers long-term economic value—proving that the greenest building is often the one that’s already standing.