Portland has tons of LEED buildings, but they’re hoping to claim the greenest residential condo tower in the United States.  The Casey Condominiums is on track to be the first residential building in the U.S. to receive LEED Platinum certification.  Sitting on the corner of NW 12th and Everett, which is smack dab in the Pearl District, this 16-story tower will have 61 units averaging just over 2,000 sf in size.  Word is they’re 70% pre-sold, too.  And in addition to 4,200 sf of ground-floor retail space, the luxury, eco-tower will feature a multi-faceted glass art installation (as you can see in some of the images).

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If this project doesn't exhibit the power of celebrity, I don't know what does.  Brad Pitt has been able to bring serious innovation to the Lower Ninth Ward — this cool concept is becoming a serious reality.  The Make It Right Project involves some of the most talented architects in the country, and they're building low-income, high-design, sustainable homes.  It's incredible.

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Update:  Make It Right Project: 13 Designs, 150 Houses

Today, actually within the last couple hours, Brad Pitt announced more specific plans and designs for his Make It Right NOLA project.  Last night, I was looking at their website, but it didn’t have any new announcements.  Today, their site is redesigned with all sorts of information.  More information to come later tonight, but make sure to sponsor a home and check out the Pink Project.  Also, check out this N.Y.Times story on the announcement.

Cascade Built recently finished construction on Jackson Place Townhomes, a two-unit, urban infill project built to LEED Silver certification (currently only registered).  As you can tell, it has that undeniable modern appeal, which is stylishly intertwined with green construction and design.  For $485,000, you could walk away with one of these 2 bedroom, 1.75 bath, 1260 sf townhomes.  Good design is a like a square footage multiplier — the better the design, the smaller your space requirements. 

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You may have heard about a huge mall, entertainment, tourist project in central New York called Destiny USA.  It’s quite the scheme that’s been in planning for many years.  I just caught news of some of their phase I and II plans for green building and energy.  For the 1.3 million sf Phase I, they retained Tangarie Energy to place sixteen, 5 kW drill-bit shaped wind turbines in the parking lot, which will produce roughly 64,000 – 84,000 kW hours of clean energy.  They also want to be 100% fossil fuel free and energy efficient, so we’ll probably hear more specific details in the future.  The turbines are designed to work well in lower wind speeds and should provide about 30% of their energy needs.   

Phase II will start in 2009.  For that, they’re planning a 1,300+ key hotel tower and conference facility, which will be built to LEED Platinum certification.  The unique looking hotel project, shaped almost like blades of grass, will generate electricity from its solar panel facade and hydro-electric turbines (using rainwater collected on the roof).  Once finished in 2012, it is planned to be the tallest building in upstate New York. 

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