When the new Hard Rock Cafe reopens at 280 Beach Walk, it will hold the distinction of being the first restaurant in Waikiki certified with an environmentally sustainable design.

Actually, the shell and core of the $45 million two-story retail center to be anchored by Hard Rock will be certified, and outfitted with a photovoltaic system.

Architects for the project from Eight Inc. said while upfront costs might be higher, it was only natural to go the sustainable route.

“;It's more economical every day to do sustainable projects because of the cost of energy,”; said Tim Kobe, Eight's principal in charge.

The U.S. Green Building Council established the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system for environmentally sustainable construction. Developers must follow a list of criteria and earn enough points to qualify for a silver, gold or platinum rating.

Developer First Round Pacific LLC, which purchased the site two years ago, is building the 31,500-square-foot retail center and is aiming for silver LEED certification.

The project broke ground in March and will include seven other tenants besides Hard Rock.

While initial plans called for a single-story building, the project evolved into a two-story one and then to a LEED-certified one.

“;From the moment we decided to go LEED certified, everyone on the team got excited about it,”; said development team member Cory Beall. “;It's been very inspiring all along the way.”;

While it has been an expensive process, Beall said, “;It's the right thing to do.”; Beall said it seems fitting since one of Hard Rock Cafe's slogans is “;Save the Planet.”;

With the support of the neighborhood board, the project is likely to set the tone for future developments in Waikiki.

Among some of the criteria for certification are proximity to public transportation, use of recycled building material and Energy Star equipment, an efficient irrigation system, and diversion of construction waste from the landfill.

A 25-kilowatt photovoltaic system will be installed on the center's roof, which is projected to save about $29,000 a year in electricity costs. Through a purchase power agreement, the solar contractor, which has yet to be determined, will install the system and then lease it back to the owners.

The cost savings can be passed to tenants, says Eight principal Mark Little.

As part of the retail center, Eight also plans to include a changing room for employees, complete with a shower, sink and locker. There will also be bike racks to encourage alternative modes of transportation to work.

The center is designed to offer a Hawaiian sense of place and be pedestrian-friendly.

Hard Rock International of Orlando, Fla., announced last year it would be moving from its longtime home on Kapiolani Boulevard to Beach Walk. The restaurant will remain open until the new Hard Rock is scheduled to open this summer.

Hard Rock Cafe, in the building of its new 12,500-square-foot restaurant, seeks to go even further with a gold LEED certification.

The new digs will offer 300 seats and a grand stair leading up to the main dining hall featuring a wave of memorabilia, a live stage, a lanai and a Rock Shop.

The Waikiki Neighborhood Board has approved of the new Hard Rock Cafe project since its inception but applauded it after it became a LEED project.

Board member Jeff Merz said, “;As a standard condition, we recommend that all new developments and projects exhaust all LEED certification possibilities.”;

Of the project specifically, he said, “;It's a good scale and blends in with surrounding developments.”;

Kobe said being LEED-certified is a competitive advantage nowadays.

“;Quite a few national retailers now demand that core and shell be LEED-certified,”; he said. “;It's becoming a necessity now, from a general responsibility standpoint.”;

Eight, which has offices in Honolulu, San Francisco and New York, has worked on a number of award-winning projects, such as the Malama Learning Center at Kapolei High School, and with clients including Apple Inc. and the Nature Conservancy.