Solera Apartments in downtown Denver held its grand opening last month with 30% occupancy and a steady flow of potential lessees. The 11-story, 120-unit project received LEED Gold certification — believed to be the first for a project of this kind in the Rocky Mountain Region — and was named Multi-family Project of the Year by Denver University's School of Real Estate. Beyond that, Solera is expected to save about 60% or more on energy.
You probably heard about the new Passive House Alliance and the election of Sam Hagerman, Hammer & Hand, as president of the alliance. This company is behind some impressive green projects, including an interesting home renovation in Portland. Zack Semke, Director of Evangelism and Evolution at Hammer & Hand, said Twin Studios tells a “unique Portland story of micro-community-renewal and ‘upcycling’ of a marginal structure into a beautiful, low-impact, green duplex.”
Perhaps the most noticeable aspect of Sierra Bonita, an affordable housing development in West Hollywood, is the facade-integrated solar array that powers most of the peak load electricity demand for the common areas. The building also has a solar-powered hot water heating system, but beneath the clearly visible green technology is a modern building with apartments fully adaptable for its disabled residents.
The Modules at TempleTown is an impressive project. It embodies what many in the industry believe to be the benefits of off-site fabrication: waste reduction, speedy construction, and cost savings. Designed by Interface Studio Architects, The Modules is a student apartment building in a double-H shape specifically designed to allow natural lighting in all of the rental units.
Belles Townhomes, a new residential project in the Presidio, recently took home LEED Platinum certification, according to a press release by LivingHomes. Designed by KieranTimberlake, the seven-unit multifamily community will open for leasing later this year. Belles Townhomes overlooks shared green space and was developed by Forest City in partnership with The Presidio Trust.
This project, The Belmont Apartments, is the first apartment community in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to receive LEED Silver, according to UDR, Inc., a multifamily REIT that developed the project. Located at 2500 Bennett Avenue, Belmont has 464 units in five buildings. Since its opening, interest from the community has been higher than expected — likely driven by the combination of green aspects and modern design.
