Green buildings are sustainable in the long term and help slow down climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They also reduce environmental pollution, using recycled materials and preserving natural resources.
255 Columbia Street in Brooklyn, for instance, was the first residential building to earn passive house certification. The 13-unit condominium optimizes energy with triple-paned windows, mechanical ventilation and advanced insulation.
1. Cedar Knolls
Are you the type of person who buys box seats to opening night at the symphony or goes straight to the top when reserving gallery showings? If so, you’ll probably feel right at home in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood. This exclusive community has more “urban sophisticates” living here than 99.8% of neighborhoods across America do.
The community’s residents enjoy a plethora of organized social activities and a spacious clubhouse where they hold frequent seasonal dances. The area is also known for its horticulture and gardening activities. Homeowners in the community frequently coordinate with garden clubs around Bronxville, Yonkers and other nearby communities to plan and host flower shows, horticultural competitions and educational seminars.
In 2012, MB1 Capital Partners purchased the property and implemented a number of improvements. These upgrades included expanding the cafeteria, renovating the lobby and adding outdoor seating. The firm also added a new energy-efficient HVAC unit and replaced the building’s water fixtures with low-flow fixtures. MB1 Capital Partners continues to focus on tenant satisfaction at the property, and it is working to bring new retail offerings to the space.
Armour Villa – Cedar Knolls has more historic residences than most neighborhoods in America do. In fact, 61.1% of the homes in this neighborhood were built before 1939, and some were constructed even earlier. Residents work hard to maintain this special character, and they do so by limiting the development of commercial storefronts within the neighborhood.
The most common means of transportation in Armour Villa – Cedar Knolls are car, subway or elevated and walking. More than half of the people living in this neighborhood drive to work alone. Other popular methods of getting to work include riding the bus and cycling. The average commute time in this neighborhood is 25 minutes. The neighborhood is very safe, and crime rates are lower than the national average. The community’s schools are highly rated. In addition, the residents have a strong sense of community and volunteerism. Many residents participate in local events, including food drives, fundraisers and community cleanups. They also volunteer at the local hospitals and nursing homes.
2. Modular Homes
Modular homes are a green building option that’s often cheaper and faster to build than a traditional site-built home. These homes are fabricated offsite and transported to the building site by semi truck, where they’re assembled on a foundation poured on-site. These homes are insulated and built with green materials, such as bamboo flooring and low-flow faucets. They also feature energy-efficient windows and appliances that reduce utility costs by up to 15%. Modular homes are a great choice for green buyers who are looking for a quality home that’s also affordable.
Although green buildings can vary widely in definition, the term is generally used to refer to a building that’s constructed using eco-friendly methods. This can mean that the building is made from sustainable materials, has long-lasting plans to minimize its environmental footprint, or focuses on optimizing performance.
With New York City aiming to become carbon neutral by 2050, developers are striving to create greener apartments and condos that are more sustainable than ever before. These eco-friendly buildings include a wide range of features like solar panels, recycled construction materials, and a rooftop garden to help improve air quality and energy efficiency.
One of the most important things to consider when buying a green building is the land on which it sits. Many cities and neighborhoods have restrictions in place that detail what types of buildings can be constructed on specific pieces of land. This can make it difficult for people who want to buy a green building and live in a particular area.
Another issue to consider is whether or not the local zoning ordinances and homeowner’s association covenants allow for modular homes. Because these homes are fabricated in the factory, they’re usually smaller and lighter than on-site built homes. They aren’t designed to be as strong as a traditional home, but they can still be built on a standard foundation. However, you’ll need to check if the property is zoned for these types of houses before making an offer.
Fortunately, there are companies that specialize in creating green modular homes. These companies use high-quality materials, and their builders are trained to build green homes that meet the IRC (International Residential Code) standards. Additionally, these manufacturers often provide design services to homeowners to help them select eco-friendly finishes and appliances.
3. New York City Architects
In New York City, green home building is becoming increasingly popular on the market. Not only does it help to save the environment, but it can also benefit residents in several other ways. Some of these benefits include energy efficiency, water conservation, and healthy indoor air quality. These features are achieved by using closed foam insulation, solar panels, complex framing techniques, and high-efficiency heating and cooling systems. In addition, many of these homes use efficient plumbing to reduce waste and conserve water supplies. Finally, they also use complex irrigation systems to reduce the amount of water used for landscaping purposes.
The 26-story Verdesian on the Park in Battery Park City was one of the first residential buildings to achieve LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2008. Designed by Rafael Pelli, this green apartment complex consumes 40 percent less energy and lowers peak demand for electricity by 67 percent compared to traditional residential high-rises. In addition, the community uses 50 percent less potable water than a conventional building. The property also utilizes a stormwater collection system and reuses water for cooling systems.
Despite being one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the country, New York City is still responsible for a significant amount of greenhouse gasses, particularly in dense urban settings. Buildings are the primary source of these emissions, consuming more than 70 percent of the city’s energy. To reduce this impact, a growing number of developers are turning to Passive House construction, a design approach that produces far fewer emissions than traditional buildings.
New York City’s leading green builders are working to raise the bar for environmentally friendly living. Whether outfitting a modern skyscraper or reviving a historic brownstone, these forward-thinking architects are taking sustainability to the next level.
Using the latest green materials and technology, these builders are creating healthy, sustainable, and energy-efficient houses for their customers. They also focus on incorporating passive design features to ensure comfort and security for their clients. Green builders are constantly updating their strategies, practices, and technologies to keep up with the evolving landscape of green building.
4. Verdesian on the Park
Located on 211 North End Avenue in Battery Park City, The Verdesian has green in its very name. The LEED platinum building combines luxurious amenities like a rooftop garden and modern health club with energy efficient systems to create a healthy, sustainable home for its residents. The building also features a children’s playroom, 24-hour concierge, storage and bicycle rooms and a parking garage. In addition, each residence has a spacious open kitchen layout with granite counter tops and stainless steel energy star appliances.
Designed by the architectural firm Pelli Clarke Pelli, the apartments in the building have a variety of floorplans including studio, one bedroom and two-bedroom units. Some of the apartments feature waterfront or city views and are furnished with large windows and hardwood floors. All residents are required to sign an agreement committing to make a portion of their unit affordable for low-income tenants.
The Verdesian is a luxury apartment building with a doorman elevator and fitness center in Manhattan. The building has a children’s playroom and is a short walk from the 1, 2, 3, and R subway lines. The building is a pet friendly community.
In terms of location, The Verdesian is close to the Hudson River and has a very calm environment. This is a great building for anyone looking for a quiet apartment community in Manhattan.
The Verdesian is a 24 story, 253 unit apartment complex built in 2004 in the 10282 zip code. It is managed by Albanese Development and Northwestern Mutual and offers a variety of apartment types. It has a high walk score with access to many public transportation options and is in close proximity to the Financial District, which has plenty of shopping and dining options.