Hillwood + Starck: Condos For Sale – Tons of Regular (non-sustainable) Buildings

Modern design icon Philippe Starck is collaborating with Dallas developer Hillwood to bring a new condo project to Victory Park:  The House.  Its neighbors will include the new W Hotel Dallas, the new Mandarin Oriental Hotel, and the new Cirque condos.  Basically, this entire area is new (actually, most buildings aren’t even close to topping out) and everyone’s raving about how Victory Park is sure to become iconic and landmark.  This is true:  Victory Park will be very attractive.  A 1 to 2-bedroom pad in The House starts at about $400-450 per square foot, so get ready to open your pocketbook.  I’m going to refrain from talking about the real estate slowdown, the possible condo glut in Dallas, and the fact that none of the developers are slowing down.  I will talk about the sustainable condo development in Dallas (or lack thereof). 

STARCK + YOO:
Who doesn’t know Stark?  There was a recent Q + A article in Metropolitan Home Magazine called "Starck Contrasts."  I thought the article was interesting and he seemed to go out of his way to talk about things like GE’s EcoImagination campaign, hydrogen cells, and designs with water, etc.  He even said, "we need to buy less and keep it a long time."  I was intrigued further by his comments as to the need to buy products at the "right price:"  "we need to stop buying things that are cheap…when we buy cheap, we buy the sweat and blood of people." 

So, after reading this article, I decided to call the sales and information office for The House by Starck and Yoo.  I asked if the building or design was going to incorporate any green/sustainable features.  The answer:  No.  The person on the other line was surprised by my question, "No one really asks about that type of thing here…You’re only about the 3rd person to ask about green features."  Really, that’s interesting.  I guess Starck isn’t into green building…he does like high prices, however. 

So I ask, why isn’t the building green?  The answer:  "well, Dallas doesn’t offer incentives like other cities do (like Austin)."  Now, I know I’m asking the wrong person questions that she probably doesn’t have information on, but if this is the true reason that Hillwood isn’t incorporating green features in their developments, as a purchaser, I’m running the other way. 

GREEN DEVELOPMENT:
The fact is, one can build green for the same price as building non-green.  So what’s the use for incentives?  To force old school developers to adopt new tricks?  But it’s hard to teach old dogs new tricks.  None of Hillwood’s developments are green.  Other than by cosmopolitan design, none of their projects can be differentiated.  Bluntly, they don’t offer the features that smart, sophisticated, professional people look for in places that command an amazing price premium.  That’s the key.  When you pay an exorbitant price premium, you should get a quality building (as well as modern design). 

So where do you go if you want fine engineering in a condo development?  The Azure.  Harwood International, the developer for Azure, is run by Gabriel Barbier-Mueller and he knows the trends in building development.  His Azure project is targeting the highest level of LEED certification (green standards) and is sure to be a quality project.  Developers and builders that aren’t incorporating sustainable building design are wasting time, money, and resources.  Don’t joke around with those types when you’re looking into a condo project.