DALLAS-Although the Lone Star State might have been settled by hearty, hard-working pioneers, Texans are not known for being pioneers when it comes to sustainability and “green living.”
Yet, there are hybrids on the roads here too, and environmentally-conscious renters now have more options: UDR’s Belmont apartment community recently received LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council and Wood Partners LLC’s Glass House Dallas high-rise apartment property also has received LEED certification.
“There are clearly other cities that are more attuned and further down the road when it comes to sustainability – Portland, Seattle, the Bay Area, and Washington D.C.,” says Mark Culwell, senior vice president of development for UDR. “I think there is growing momentum in Dallas-Fort Worth for sustainable apartments and a heightened awareness among renters.”
The Belmont, located at 2500 Bennett Ave., is the first apartment community in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to receive LEED Silver. The project, which offers 464 units in five main buildings, was designed and engineered to use 20% less energy and 36% less water than a conventional apartment community, creating significant operational savings for the customer and for the community. On average, residents can expect to benefit from an annual reduction of $380 to $550 to their utility bill.
Key green features of The Belmont include: highly efficient windows and insulation, compact fluorescent lighting, an onsite public transit stop and bicycle storage. The Belmont also boasts the first networked electric vehicle charging station in the multifamily housing industry. These features contribute to the 1,000 metric tons of CO2 that is saved annually by the community – equivalent to removing 200 cars from the roads for an entire year.
The Belmont is currently being leased at twice the expected absorption rate, highlighting the local community’s strong demand for an environmentally friendly apartment complex, Culwell notes.
In addition to The Belmont, UDR is developing another green apartment community: The Savoy at Vitruvian Park, a 392-home community, estimated completion third quarter 2010, 60% leased as of June 30, Vertruvian is a master-planned project, will include 12 acre public park, allow for urbanization of a low-density neighborhood, city is investing $40 million,
“The very strong and consistent leasing velocity at both properties is attributable to sustainable features,” Culwell tells GlobeSt.
Wood Partners says it moved into green building after it saw evidence of demand from renters who made it overwhelmingly clear in survey results that they wanted efficient living choices. The company’s leadership issued a new energy policy in March 2009 that said going forward all of its new projects would be designed and constructed to achieve efficiency standards through LEED or ENERGY STAR certifications whenever possible.
The company’s Glass House project, which consists of 375 apartment units in a split-level project with one 21-story and one 12-story building, reached full occupancy in April. The luxury high-rise features floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views of the city’s Uptown area, Turtle Creek and Victory Park.
Amenities include: an infinity edge pool, a dog walking deck, grilling area, rooftop deck with fireplace, lounges and bar, media room with plasma TVs, lobby and concierge.
Other energy efficient developments in the works for Wood Partners include: Alta at Indian Woods Apartments, a 154-unit project in Stoughton, MA; Alta at Regency Crest, a 150-unit complex in Ellicott City, MD; and Alta Aspen Grove, a 280-unit community in Denver.
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