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Multifamily Executive combed the multifamily landscape to find the hottest green developments that opened recently or will open in the near future. Here are 10 of our favorite eco-friendly projects. By Laura McKenzie
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215 West
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Jupiter Realty
Among the first multifamily projects to receive LEED certification in Chicago, this luxury 50-story high-rise incorporates many environmentally-friendly elements into its construction and design. The developer used local building materials and installed numerous energy-efficient appliances. Roughly 75 percent of all areas in 215 West use natural light and views to illuminate the building. Additionally, the entire building is a smoke-free environment. The building's location is central to its green mission—it is in the heart of downtown, close to nightlife, dining, business districts, and public transportation.
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215 West
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Jupiter Realty
Location: Chicago
Builders/Developers: Jupiter Realty Co.; Cornerstone Realty Advisers
Architect: Solomon Cordwell Buenz
Completed: Summer 2010
Units: 389
Unit mix: Studios, one-, two-, and three-bedrooms
Development cost: $155 million
Rent range: $1,408 to $4,567
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360 State Street
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Robert Benson Photography
This mixed-use development was the first project to receive a LEED Platinum certification. 360 State Street is especially notable as the developer installed a $4 million fuel cell to provide electricity to the entire complex. The fuel cell works by removing the electrons from the hydrogen molecules in natural gas in order to create electricity. In addition, the community plans to disclose all energy use via its website.
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360 State Street
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Robert Benson Photography
Location: New Haven, Conn.
Builder: Suffolk Construction Co.
Developer: Becker + Becker
Architect: Becker + Becker
Completion: First phase, July 2010; final phase, October 2010
Units: 500
Unit mix: 30-plus suite types
Development cost: $190 million
Rent range: $1,270 to $5,330
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Churchhill Estates
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KWA Construction
Churchill Estates is an independent senior living center; they are the first such project to be LEED certified, as well as certified by the Greater Dallas Home Builders Association. To date, the returns on the project have been 15 percent more efficient than those with comparable building codes. The development features Energy Star appliances, LED lights, and a Hydrolux solar pool cover. The community focuses on an overall wellness environment for the seniors, including hiking trails in the surrounding areas and playrooms for those with young grandchildren.
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Churchhill Estates
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KWA Construction
Location: Dallas
Builders: KWA Construction; Keller Webster
Developer: KWA Construction
Architect: Gailer Tolson French Design Associates; Byran McMurte
Completed: January 2010
Units: 175
Unit mix: Studios, one- and two-bedrooms
Rent range: $2,380-$4,007
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The GoodWynn at Town: Brookhaven
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Lincoln Property Co.
The GoodWynn at Town: Brookhaven apartment community was honored by the Environmental Protection Agency as part of its Energy Star for High-Rise pilot program. The community is 28 percent more energy efficient than comparable projects. Additionally, the building offers a completely smoke-free environment, including outdoor areas and balconies. The on-site staff also implemented a paper reduction program, which aims to reduce the amount of paper used in routine administrative tasks. This is achieved through e-mail communication and the "Text-2-Connect" marketing program. The building also provides residents with reusable shopping bags boasting the GoodWynn logo.
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The GoodWynn at Town: Brookhaven
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Lincoln Property Co.
Location: Atlanta
Builders: Lincoln Contractors; Ken Buck
Developer: Lincoln Property Co.
Architects: Niles Bolton Associates; Dan Meachan
Completed: February 2010
Units: 372
Unit mix: Studios, one- and two-bedrooms
Development cost: $74 million
Rent range: $1,246 to $2,250
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The Jefferson at Half Street
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JPI East
The Jefferson at Half Street is the first rental community in Washington, D.C., to receive a LEED Silver certification. The mixed-use project is located in the trendy, up-and-coming Southwest Waterfront area, between the U.S. Capitol building and the Nationals ballpark, and will include 12,000 square feet of retail space. It's environmentally-friendly features include low-flow bathroom fixtures, low-e glass windows, and Energy Star appliances. The landscape irrigation will be supplied entirely through condensation from the building's air conditioning units.
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The Jefferson at Half Street
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JPI East
Location: Washington, D.C.
Builder: JD Land
Developer: JPI East
Architect: WDG Architecture
Timeline for completion: First units available in June 2010
Units: 419
Unit mix: 30-plus suite types
Rent range: $1,605 to $3,495
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Silver Gardens
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Silver Gardens
Silver Gardens is the first green, affordable housing project in the state of New Mexico. It boasts a LEED Platinum certification and is currently 70 percent leased. The development is located near a major Albuquerque transit center, as well as many cultural and educational opportunities. In addition to energy-efficient appliances, the project touts high-performance operable windows, installed with the goal of reducing the need for air conditioning by permitting natural ventilation and reflecting the strong summer sun.
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Silver Gardens
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Silver Gardens
Location: Albuquerque
Developers: Jonathan Rose Cos.; Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico
Architects: Claudio Vigil Architects of Albuquerque and Oz Architecture of Denver
Timeline for completion: First phase opened May 2010
Units: 66
Unit mix: Studios, one- and two-bedrooms
Development cost: $12.5 million (phase one)
Rent range: $288 to $764
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The Crossing
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The Crossing
Seeking LEED Silver certification, The Crossing is continuing today's trend of a smoke-free living environment. In fact, it's the biggest smoke-free apartment complex and the first in Orange County, Calif.; since the property opened, 35 other properties have followed suit. Green from the start, 94 percent of building waste was recycled during construction. The property boasts generous courtyard space, including a lime and mint garden. Upon arrival, residents are provided with a six-month supply of environmentally-friendly cleaning products.
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The Crossing
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The Crossing
Location: Anaheim, Calif.
Developer: Sares-Regis
Architect: KTGY Group
Completed: Earth Day 2010 (April 22)
Units: 312
Unit mix: One- and two-bedroom apartments; two-story townhouses and lofts
Rent range: $1,335 to $2,165
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The Uptown
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Forest City
The Uptown is the first apartment community in Oakland, Calif., to be LEED certified. The transit-oriented, sustainable development received a Platinum rating for numerous green features including proximity to public transportation such as BART, ZipCar stations, and buses. The building design also helped to cut back on water usage, and 20 percent of the construction materials were manufactured and purchased locally. In addition, the city of Oakland is developing a 25,000-square-foot public park in conjunction with Uptown Apartments.
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The Uptown
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Forest City
Location: Oakland, Calif.
Builders: James E. Roberts and Obayashi Corp.
Developers: Forest City Residential Management; MacFarlane Partners; City of Oakland
Architect: MVE & Partners
Timeline for completion: First phase is open for leasing
Units: 665
Unit mix: Studios, one-, two-, and three-bedrooms
Development cost: Approximately $50 million
Rent range: $1,253 to $2,837
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The Alaire
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JBG
The Alaire apartment complex is only a small part of a new transit-oriented development at the Twinbrook Station in Rockville, Md., which will be built on 26 acres of existing commuter parking lots across from the metro station. This green development on metro's red line is hoping to make it easy for residents to reduce their dependence on automobiles. There will also be 15,000 square feet of retail space.
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The Alaire
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JBG
Location: Rockville, Md.
Builder: Harkins Builders
Developers: The JBG Cos.; Washington Metro Transit Authority (WMATA)
Architects: Torti Gallas & Partners; Graham and Parker; The Preston Partnership; David M. Schwarz Architects
Completed: March 2010
Units: 279
Unit mix: A wide variety of apartment styles
Rent range: $1,650 to $2,685
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Voyager at the Space Center
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Voyager at Space Center
Located within walking distance of the Johnson Space Center in Nassau Bay, Texas, Voyager at the Space Center is the largest project certified by the NAHB Research Center as per the National Green Building Standard. The luxury apartment complex uses energy-efficient and water-efficient appliances and fixtures. In addition, the landscaping was designed to require minimum irrigation needs.
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Voyager at the Space Center
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Voyager at Space Center
Location: Nassau Bay, Texas
Builder: Martin Fein Interests
Developer: National Association of Home Builders
Architect: Steinberg Design Collaborative Architects and Planners
Completed: January 2010 (leasing began)
Units: 313
Unit mix: One-, two-, and three-bedrooms
Rent range: $750 to $1,814