New condo projects are getting on the green wagon
February 29, 2008
BY CELESTE BUSK Sun-Times Staff Writer

Those looking to nurture Mother Earth by leaving a smaller carbon blueprint might consider a new green-ready condo, town house or home in the Chicago area.

Demand for environmentally friendly buildings is on the rise, real estate experts say, due in part to the popular 2006 documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth," which featured environmentalist and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. The film profiled the need for energy conservation to slow down the effects of global warming.
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At Optima Old Orchard Woods in Skokie, developer David Hovey is offering green roofs as a standard building amenity.

To meet the consumer demand, many Chicago area builders have stepped up to the plate and have begun constructing energy-efficient developments and have applied for the coveted certification by the United States Green Building Council as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) projects.

These new residential developments offer residents energy-saving amenities ranging from green roofs and low E (emissivity) insulating glass windows to Energy Star appliances and water-saving faucets and toilets.

Local builders also are using materials such as recycled glass tiles and bamboo flooring and panels to save on natural resources. Bamboo is a plant that grows to maturity in a few years, compared to the slow growth of trees. Special paints, carpeting, caulking and other materials are selected because of the low emissions of toxic fumes.

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The Enclave at Galewood Crossing, 1900 N. Central. This 50-acre development on the Northwest Side will offer buyers a green roof on select floor plans. The Enclave has three types of housing; single-family homes starting at $425,000; townhouses priced from $299,900 and condos priced from $239,900. The green roof, which consists of green roofing material, sod and a plant grid, is for the townhome section.

"Two things are certain when it comes to green construction," said Brian Hoffman, vice chairman and chief financial officer of Red Seal Development. "The green roof is here to stay and buyers are definitely more serious about considering green initiatives and products than before."

Plans for the residential portion of Enclave at Galewood Crossing call for 187 homes, 54 condos and 76 condos. Call (773) 237-8900.

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