For generations, the East Village was an immigrants first stop in America. Each wave of new arrivals from different parts of Europe made their own indelible impression on this fascinating New York neighborhood. Once known for five- and six-story walk-ups, Bohemian lifestyles, classic New York City grit and socially-conscious activism, the East Village has cast off many of its less complimentary attributes but still fiercely maintains its sense of social consciousness. There is no better evidence of this than the rising popularity of East Village condominiums in new buildings with LEED certification.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design condo development, or New York green condominium development, has become as important a consideration as an extra bedroom or easy walking distance to the subway for many East Village condo shoppers. LEED condominiums allow discriminating condo buyers an opportunity to live close to the very best of everything New York City has to offer, but in an environmentally-sustainable way. LEED certification is also a smart marketing decision for condo developers as a study conducted by the Pew Research center found that over half (56 percent) of the people in the U.S. named protecting the environment as a top priority in their lives.
Responding to rising demand for environmentally responsible East Village condos and Manhattan green condos, developers have taken a new approach to building design, construction and materials. New York green condominium developers are also discovering that the costs of implementing green technology into the condo buildings and units are equal to or less than older, less energy-efficient materials and technologies. This allows East Village green condos to be priced very competitively, which makes buying a Manhattan green condo a win/win proposition for socially-conscious and forward-thinking people who wish to lower their carbon footprint.
So what is so progressive about owning an East Village green condominium? Here are some examples of how developers are walking the walk in addition to talking the environmentally responsible talk:
The use of sustainable materials ” From flooring materials crafted from bamboo or wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council to paints and sealants with little or no volatile organic chemicals and much more, New York green condos being built and finished with renewable and sustainable materials.
Reduced heating and cooling costs ” Through the implementation of Daikin high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems imported from Japan, Manhattan green condo buildings are able to provide climate controls that use significantly less energy. This system employs variable speed motors to regulate temperature in the common areas of the building and in individual units, so no wasteful boilers are required and fresh outside air circulates throughout the building. In addition, some green condo buildings have the lobby and other common areas heated and cooled with geothermal energy that cuts costs and condo association dues for owners as well.
Green roofs ” Green roofs provide superior insulation in hot and cold weather, which greatly reduces energy consumption. Developers of New York green condos have enhanced the usefulness of this technology by adding rainwater collection systems to assist with water conservation methods. Further, some East Village green condo roofs also have small wind generators that produce supplemental energy and drastically reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Energy-efficient appliances ” The condo units in some green condo buildings have fixtures, appliances and faucets that conserve water and energy without sacrificing style or performance. Refrigeration appliances maintain temperature without the use of CFC-producing Freon to protect the ozone layer and imported European plumbing fixtures use significantly less water.
Significant energy savings for condo owners over time ” Taken together or separately, these progressive energy- and resource-saving measures add up to tangible savings on water and energy costs. The owners of Manhattan green condos realize these savings each month through reduced water, electricity, and heating and cooling bills, which over time benefit both condo owner and the environment and result in huge energy savings.
As we have become more aware how our lifestyle choices directly and negatively impact the finite resources of our planet, many of us have sought ways to reduce our carbon footprint and lead more environmentally responsible lives. It is everyones responsibility, no matter where we live, to reconsider how our choices affect our environment and now some New Yorkers have a unique and practical way to live green and save green. Green East Village condos are more than a trend, they represent a seismic shift in New York condo living.