The NGBS-Bronze project features a long list of high-performance products and technologies, including low-VOC paints, recycled-content flooring, low-flow plumbing fixtures, 96% efficient Lochinvar hot water heaters, daylighting sensors, and programmable thermostats. Tenants pay for their own utilities and each unit has its own gas, water, and electric meters, a move that the developer hopes will lead to greater conservation. “Village Green really tried to get out the message that each person is in control of their own energy and water use,” Naylor says. “Studies have shown that when this is the case, people conserve more.”
A favorite feature for many tenants is the 24,500-square-foot courtyard space with sunken rock gardens, private cabanas, and water features. It also acts as a stormwater reservoir, with a large culvert that filters and stores runoff until it flows into the storm sewer.
In order to appeal to a range of clients, the building offers more than 30 different floor plans from 500 to 1,400 square feet. To enhance flexibilty, many units have modular features such as mobile granite islands and bedrooms that can be set off from living spaces with oversized sliding glass doors or translucent glass panels. Monthly rent runs from about $1,000 for a studio to $2,600 for a penthouse, Balsis says.
While the building’s green credentials set it apart from typical multifamily housing, much of the project’s sustainable success is rooted in its location, which helped earn 25% of the building’s 280 NGBS points for its high-density infill plan with convenient access to public transportation and proximity to offices, shops, and restaurants. According to Camp, demand for close-in living is driving a resurgence of projects centered around mass transit.
“We’re not designing projects for the suburbs anymore,” Camp says. “Our clients are focused on urban infill because of the growing demand by people who want to live downtown.”