Lionstone Investments’ Data-Driven Approach to Healthy Building Demand

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Written By Marcos Reynaga

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Lionstone Investments' story exemplifies one of the real estate industry's largest investment firms and how the people behind it truly live and breathe Fitwel's mission – within their company culture, assets, and homes. So, how did Lionstone get started, and what motivates them to pursue certification across their entire portfolio? Today, much like other REITs, they are looking at not only the positive impacts of health-promoting strategies on the people working for the company and within their buildings – but also the value it brings to their portfolio’s bottom line.

We chatted with Amanda Adams-Moreno, Senior Operations Manager and proud Fitwel Ambassador, to learn more.

Amanda Adams-Moreno, Lionstone Investments Senior Operations Manager

Amanda Adams-Moreno
Lionstone Investments Senior Operations Manager

How did you get started with Fitwel?
AAM: As a property manager turned human resource professional turned ESG professional with over 17 years of experience, I have a unique understanding and perspective on priorities and value across multiple stakeholders.

Lionstone’s first certified building was our Houston office. We prioritized that because our colleagues are one of our most important stakeholders, and there was only one other Fitwel-certified building in Houston at the time, so we knew it would be groundbreaking. We examined what we were doing to positively impact health and well-being in our office (which was built in 1929), what we could enhance, and what tangible, easy-to-implement changes we could make to improve our daily lives.

Distribution of Goal Achievement by Asset Type analysis chart. Imagery and graphics are illustrative only and are subject to change.

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How does Fitwel’s mission align with Lionstone’s strategy?
AAM: For us, Fitwel is not just about checking boxes; promoting health is inherently part of our culture and ethos. Many of the strategies required for certification were already part of our existing stakeholder engagement practices. Our consultant, LORD GREEN (now RE Tech Advisors), helped us understand the importance of third-party healthy building certification and the synergies between Lionstone’s data-driven strategy and the Fitwel Platform.

How do healthy buildings drive value in Lionstone’s portfolio?
AAM: Using COVID-19 as an example, we found that giving tenants something tangible to show what measures were taken made them feel comfortable returning to the office and built trust, which drives retention. It is now a universal expectation – and a business imperative.

How is your growing use of Fitwel helping respond to investor demand?
AAM: First and foremost, it is a matter of education. For a long time, the emphasis has been on net zero. However, we do not engage in any environmental-related initiatives or practices that jeopardize the health of the people who work in the buildings. Those two factors must complement one another. When we speak with investors, we remind them that this is not a world they live in every day, but that it is the reality of the future. For example, because we're using outside air, which is healthier for tenants, certain buildings used more electricity this year. Perhaps more money was required to ensure that a tenant had enough windows. As soon as we started communicating that, investors were sold. They get it.

Fitwel has also helped meet investor reporting requirements. Instead of just claiming "healthy air," investors want to know what filtration system we use, and which best practices and policies support it. A database for questions like those, which Fitwel provides, is very useful. And it reinforces Lionstone's analytics-focused culture. 

Fitwel Champions are implementing Fitwel Healthy Building Certification at scale. Learn more about the benefits of joining these industry leading pioneers in building health and wellbeing at fitwel.org/champions.

About Lionstone Investments
Lionstone Investments is committed to ensuring the firm's commitment to sustainability, health, and resilience. Their expectation is to perform within an asset’s highest capabilities, and make improvements to realize the highest level of safety and well-being for the tenants, management, staff, and guests that occupy those assets. Adhering to Environmental, Social, Governance and Resilience policies and placing substantial emphasis on health, well-being, and safety is a priority for their investors, and their firm. lionstoneinvestments.com

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Marcos Reynaga
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