LAS VEGAS – August 20, 2020 – UnCommons, Matter Real Estate Group’s much-anticipated mixed-use development at Interstate 215 and Durango Drive in southwest Las Vegas, will be the first in Nevada to be built with rigorous, science-based criteria set by the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™). Construction is now underway on the $400 million, 40-acre project which, upon completion of the first phase in early 2022, will introduce the next generation of office, residential and lifestyle space built for the challenges of an ever-changing world.
At the onset of the pandemic, Matter re-engaged Gensler, the world-renowned architectural firm behind UnCommons, for a redesign integrating health and safety features set by the WELL Building Standard™. They include near hospital-quality HVAC systems, operable windows and patios, touch-free access, abundant natural daylight, and interior finishes made with materials to limit the spread of bacteria. WELL Certification™ is the highest third-party endorsement of a building’s performance and the health of its occupants.
“We recognized with COVID-19 that a fundamental shift was taking place, which will render many office structures as unsafe and therefore obsolete practically overnight. Modifying existing buildings with needed changes to keep occupants safe is cost prohibitive, making new construction the default winner,” said Jim Stuart, Matter Real Estate Group partner. “With the adjustments we made to our building systems plus additional design attributes, we believe we have unlocked the answer for employee safety that will serve as the preferred model moving forward. We are hopeful that when complete, the intention and thoughtfulness that inspired our work at UnCommons will deliver great design, as well as respond to the needs of our community.”
The redesign spans the UnCommons community, a stylized urban campus that will be comprised of 500,000+ square feet of modern office space with market-leading design and technology, 830+ residential units, a venue that blends music and movies, a beer garden, trendsetting restaurants and cafes that follow the good food movement, health and fitness studios, a multi-purpose conference center, a pedestrian trail and public art. The project’s recently announced Platform One, a food hall showcasing the best of the local food scene, has been redesigned to introduce an innovative touchless food pickup mechanism for carry-out or delivery, as well as infrastructure to integrate health and safety. Additionally, the redesign vastly enhances the amount of sheltered outdoor seating.
“We have pushed through many long hours over the last several months adjusting the UnCommons plan to capture the best practices for the modern workplace in a post pandemic world. We are entering a new phase of shifted priorities where employee heath, wellness and safety will be the standard going forward,” added Darrel Fullbright, Gensler’s principal in charge for UnCommons.
UnCommons is also pursuing certification by Green Globes®, a nationally recognized green rating assessment, guidance and certification program. The revolutionary program recognizes sustainability goals for new construction projects, existing buildings and interiors to encourage improved environmental and health performance while reducing environmental impacts.
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, who designated UnCommons as a high-impact project (HIP) during his time as a Clark County Commissioner, has commended the development team for a comprehensive redesign built to WELL’s stringent standards. “When our nation has faced widespread challenges before, it is often the innovators within our own great state who have found solutions to get us through difficult times,” said Sisolak. “The team behind UnCommons is carrying on that tradition now with this bold approach, and I look forward to watching this project progress.”
“UnCommons, located in the Southwest portion of Clark County, will be a hub for innovation. It has already garnered the attention of top corporations from Nevada and throughout the United States,” said Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft. “I look forward to welcoming them to the neighborhood when they open.”
“We have an incredible responsibility at UnCommons to design, engineer and construct an integrated mixed-use community that delivers solutions that adapt to meet the dual challenge of sustainable construction, while providing an atmosphere that makes the people who will occupy the buildings feel safer,” said Kevin Burke, Matter Real Estate Group partner and CEO of Burke Construction Group. “As a builder, engineer and 30-year resident of Las Vegas I can assure you that we will deliver on this promise.”
“With an ethos of community and sense of belonging, UnCommons will serve as a reminder, now more than ever, of the importance of human connection, social engagement and wellbeing,” said Stuart. “UnCommons will inspire people to return to work in this innovative workplace designed to keep people safe and able to work on their own, flexible terms. But perhaps most importantly, UnCommons has given us a generational opportunity to redefine the workplace conceived from the point of view of our collective experiences and relationships with one another.”
More information about UnCommons is available on the website at www.UnCommons.com, on Facebook at @UnCommonsLasVegas, Instagram at @UnCommons.LV and Twitter at @UnCommonsLV.
About UnCommons
UnCommons, a first-of-its kind mixed-use development in southwest Las Vegas, is now under construction with a first phase opening planned for early 2022. The $400 million project is designed to fulfill the modern workforce’s desire for a workplace that enhances their lives through rich amenities, open space and connectivity. The stylized urban campus will be comprised of more than 500,000 square feet of modern office space with market-leading design and technology, more than 830 residential units, a venue that blends music and movies, a beer garden, trendsetting restaurants and cafes that follow the good food movement, health and fitness studios, a multi-purpose conference center, a pedestrian trail, public art and Platform One, a food hall showcasing the best of the local food scene. The development will be the first of its kind in Nevada to be built by the standards for WELL™ Certification, which are the highest third-party endorsement of a building’s performance and protection of employee health. UnCommons is also pursuing certification by Green Globes®, a nationally recognized green rating assessment, guidance and certification program. More information is available on the website at www.UnCommons.com, on Facebook at @UnCommonsLasVegas, Instagram at @UnCommons.LV and Twitter at @UnCommonsLV.