The Dimmitt Automotive Group's commitment to LEED Silver Certification validates family's commitment to a better environment
The Dimmitt Automotive Group’s Rolls-Royce, Bentley and McLaren showroom finishes Pinellas Park’s newest LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certified building. The project recently was awarded an Aurora Award for Green Construction in the category for commercial/retail/office. The beautiful Gandy Boulevard structure on the Dimmitt campus is a testament to the family’s commitment to save energy and honor the community.
In speaking about the project, Richard Dimmitt said, “It’s been a passion of our family to preserve and protect our environment and its beautiful natural resources. The economic investment dedicated to undertaking such a project makes perfect sense when we consider the long-term impact for our community and for the legacy we leave to future generations. It’s with great humility that we accept this award for undertaking a process that was such a privilege to bring to fruition.”
While building green was a priority for this project, operational costs were not the primary factor. The Dimmitt Automotive Group is a family owned business and has been rooted for nearly one hundred years in the communities they serve.
Owners Richard and Doreen along with their sons, Rick and Peter, wanted to make certain that this building was a gift back to the community. Many of the achieved project features directly benefit the surrounding community as well as reduce energy consumption.
The Dimmitt Automotive Group’s Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and McLaren showroom is the newest automotive showroom in Pinellas Park. The dealership represents product lines
Bentley Showroom
from Cadillac, Aston Martin, Land Rover, Bentley, McLaren, and Rolls-Royce. The building achieved its LEED Silver certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
It’s a national trend in the automotive industry to obtain this certification. The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) estimates about 1,000 dealerships are attempting to reduce their energy footprint by 10 percent and more are seeking the national standard of LEED certification.
Suncoast AutoBuilders, Inc. of Clearwater was the design-builder for this luxury facility. Company President Thomas Strickland, and Senior Project Manager John Vrabec have each earned the designation of LEED Accredited Professional. This project presented the unique challenge of not only coordinating the high-end level of finishes with the required approvals of Rolls-Royce, Bentley and McLaren, but also adhering to strict LEED construction execution procedures while integrating LEED-specified elements. Suncoast has specialized in the design and construction of automotive dealership facilities since 1987, and recognizes the significant commitment made by the Dimmitt Automotive Group to pursue this prestigious certification.
Drew Smith, President of Two Trails, Inc. said, “On average we see initial 5 – 8 percent upfront costs in obtaining a green certification. While many building owners are weary of more upfront costs, Richard and Doreen Dimmitt were able to see beyond the additional expense and realize the associated cost savings for years to come. In fact, the initial upfront costs will be recouped after 5 – 7 years and continue to return dividends on the building for years to come.”
Front Entrance
All building owners are looking to save money on operational costs. It makes common sense to save money in these areas. While many building owners are implementing energy saving techniques, many still do not opt to seek certification. Nevertheless, the certification adds value to the building and demonstrates a true commitment to the community as well. Two Trails was the independent third party consulting, certification and commissioning authority on the Dimmitt Automotive Group Building project.
Categories comprising the LEED certification include: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation and Design, and Regional Priority. By analogy, obtaining a LEED certification is similar to an automobile passing a government safety test. Both “tests “and certification adds validation to the products and, in this case, verifies that the building has been built to national green standards.
Receiving an Aurora Award is a great accomplishment that recognizes Dimmitt’s commitment to building a great facility. The Aurora Awards is a competitive award competition held during SEBC (Southeast Builders Conference). Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) sponsors the Award competition; one of the largest associations of it’s kind. The Aurora Award design competition is presented to outstanding builders, planners, architects, developers, designers, and interior merchandisers within a twelve state southeastern and eastern Caribbean region.
The Dimmitt Automotive Group will be hosting a certification presentation at the new facility. Many of the local community leaders, owners, and project leads will be in attendance celebrating Pinellas Park’s newest LEED certified building.
About Two Trails Inc. | Two Trails, Inc. is one of the nations premier Green Building Consulting firm established in 2001. We provide green consulting/commissioning services nationwide for commercial, residential, remodeling, and developments seeking to obtain LEED certification and/or LEED Commissioning by USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council), National Green Building Certification by NAHB Research Center, Energy Star by the U.S. Department of Energy, & Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) certifications.
Contact Information: Two Trails Inc., Tom Rupp - Marketing & Communications Manager
4411 Bee Ridge Rd. #294, Sarasota, FL 34233, tom@ twotrails.com, Telephone 941.776.8680. TwoTrails.com
About Dimmitt Automotive Group | Dimmitt Automotive Group has been serving our community since 1924. We are committed to improve the quality of life for our associates, our guests, and the community through service, excellence and innovation.
Contact Information: Dimmitt Automotive Group Rolls-Royce, Bentley and McLaren
3255 Gandy Boulevard, Pinellas Park, FL 33781. Telephone 727.824.8500. dimmittstaging.wpengine.com
About Suncoast Builders | Celebrating its 25
th Anniversary, Suncoast AutoBuilders, Inc. is a design-build firm that specializes in automobile dealership facilities, with over 300 projects completed across the United States. We are a single source for all aspects of developing a commercial property, from initial concept and planning, through design, architectural/engineering of construction documents, permitting, LEED coordination and certification, and supervision of all phases of construction.
Contact Information: Suncoast AutoBuilders, 5180 113
th Avenue North, Clearwater, FL 33760. Telephone 727.561.0764, www.suncoastservices.com.
The Dimmitt Automotive Group's commitment to LEED Silver Certification validates family's commitment to a better environment
The Dimmitt Automotive Group’s Rolls-Royce, Bentley and McLaren showroom finishes Pinellas Park’s newest LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certified building. The project recently was awarded an Aurora Award for Green Construction in the category for commercial/retail/office. The beautiful Gandy Boulevard structure on the Dimmitt campus is a testament to the family’s commitment to save energy and honor the community.
In speaking about the project, Richard Dimmitt said, “It’s been a passion of our family to preserve and protect our environment and its beautiful natural resources. The economic investment dedicated to undertaking such a project makes perfect sense when we consider the long-term impact for our community and for the legacy we leave to future generations. It’s with great humility that we accept this award for undertaking a process that was such a privilege to bring to fruition.”
While building green was a priority for this project, operational costs were not the primary factor. The Dimmitt Automotive Group is a family owned business and has been rooted for nearly one hundred years in the communities they serve.
Owners Richard and Doreen along with their sons, Rick and Peter, wanted to make certain that this building was a gift back to the community. Many of the achieved project features directly benefit the surrounding community as well as reduce energy consumption.
The Dimmitt Automotive Group’s Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and McLaren showroom is the newest automotive showroom in Pinellas Park. The dealership represents product lines
Bentley Showroom
from Cadillac, Aston Martin, Land Rover, Bentley, McLaren, and Rolls-Royce. The building achieved its LEED Silver certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
It’s a national trend in the automotive industry to obtain this certification. The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) estimates about 1,000 dealerships are attempting to reduce their energy footprint by 10 percent and more are seeking the national standard of LEED certification.
Suncoast AutoBuilders, Inc. of Clearwater was the design-builder for this luxury facility. Company President Thomas Strickland, and Senior Project Manager John Vrabec have each earned the designation of LEED Accredited Professional. This project presented the unique challenge of not only coordinating the high-end level of finishes with the required approvals of Rolls-Royce, Bentley and McLaren, but also adhering to strict LEED construction execution procedures while integrating LEED-specified elements. Suncoast has specialized in the design and construction of automotive dealership facilities since 1987, and recognizes the significant commitment made by the Dimmitt Automotive Group to pursue this prestigious certification.
Drew Smith, President of Two Trails, Inc. said, “On average we see initial 5 – 8 percent upfront costs in obtaining a green certification. While many building owners are weary of more upfront costs, Richard and Doreen Dimmitt were able to see beyond the additional expense and realize the associated cost savings for years to come. In fact, the initial upfront costs will be recouped after 5 – 7 years and continue to return dividends on the building for years to come.”
Front Entrance
All building owners are looking to save money on operational costs. It makes common sense to save money in these areas. While many building owners are implementing energy saving techniques, many still do not opt to seek certification. Nevertheless, the certification adds value to the building and demonstrates a true commitment to the community as well. Two Trails was the independent third party consulting, certification and commissioning authority on the Dimmitt Automotive Group Building project.
Categories comprising the LEED certification include: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation and Design, and Regional Priority. By analogy, obtaining a LEED certification is similar to an automobile passing a government safety test. Both “tests “and certification adds validation to the products and, in this case, verifies that the building has been built to national green standards.
Receiving an Aurora Award is a great accomplishment that recognizes Dimmitt’s commitment to building a great facility. The Aurora Awards is a competitive award competition held during SEBC (Southeast Builders Conference). Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) sponsors the Award competition; one of the largest associations of it’s kind. The Aurora Award design competition is presented to outstanding builders, planners, architects, developers, designers, and interior merchandisers within a twelve state southeastern and eastern Caribbean region.
The Dimmitt Automotive Group will be hosting a certification presentation at the new facility. Many of the local community leaders, owners, and project leads will be in attendance celebrating Pinellas Park’s newest LEED certified building.
About Two Trails Inc. | Two Trails, Inc. is one of the nations premier Green Building Consulting firm established in 2001. We provide green consulting/commissioning services nationwide for commercial, residential, remodeling, and developments seeking to obtain LEED certification and/or LEED Commissioning by USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council), National Green Building Certification by NAHB Research Center, Energy Star by the U.S. Department of Energy, & Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) certifications.
Contact Information: Two Trails Inc., Tom Rupp - Marketing & Communications Manager
4411 Bee Ridge Rd. #294, Sarasota, FL 34233, tom@ twotrails.com, Telephone 941.776.8680. TwoTrails.com
About Dimmitt Automotive Group | Dimmitt Automotive Group has been serving our community since 1924. We are committed to improve the quality of life for our associates, our guests, and the community through service, excellence and innovation.
Contact Information: Dimmitt Automotive Group Rolls-Royce, Bentley and McLaren
3255 Gandy Boulevard, Pinellas Park, FL 33781. Telephone 727.824.8500. dimmittstaging.wpengine.com
About Suncoast Builders | Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, Suncoast AutoBuilders, Inc. is a design-build firm that specializes in automobile dealership facilities, with over 300 projects completed across the United States. We are a single source for all aspects of developing a commercial property, from initial concept and planning, through design, architectural/engineering of construction documents, permitting, LEED coordination and certification, and supervision of all phases of construction.
Contact Information: Suncoast AutoBuilders, 5180 113th Avenue North, Clearwater, FL 33760. Telephone 727.561.0764, www.suncoastservices.com.
