Chicago — Harrison Street has partnered with the Center for Active Design (CfAD) to implement Fitwel certification across the company’s student housing, senior housing, medical office and life sciences portfolio. Fitwel was originally created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. General Services Administration to promote the building of properties focused on the health and wellness of its occupants.
“When we first started working with CfAD to certify our projects several years ago, we recognized that student and senior living communities have unique health and wellness needs that require a highly tailored approach in order to be successful,” says Jill Brosig, managing director and chief impact officer at Chicago-based Harrison Street.
“Expanding this partnership advances our mission to make a positive impact on the communities that interact with our properties and the surrounding built environment. For example, mental health issues among college students have been heightened by the pandemic, and we aim to optimize our student housing portfolio to help address these issues upon their return to campus.”