March 21, 2012 - The 22-story apartment tower in Portland, Oregon, has a roof garden that funnels rainwater to its public toilets. Because the water isn’t treated, state law requires “Do Not Drink” warning signs.
“Just in case your dog can read,” said Dennis Wilde, chief sustainability officer for Gerding Edlen, the Portland- based builder of the development called Indigo @ Twelve|West.
Green features, such as reusing rainwater and generating about 1 percent of the tower’s electricity with four rooftop windmills, help the Indigo’s bottom line by saving energy and attracting tenants who pay a premium to live an eco-friendly urban lifestyle, said Mark Edlen, chief executive officer of the closely held company that’s developed $5 billion of residential and commercial real estate since 1996.
As Gerding Edlen takes its Portland experiments to other cities, some of the largest U.S. multifamily owners are stepping up green development, deciding that the extra construction costs will save money on operations and give them a competitive edge. AvalonBay Communities Inc. (AVB), Equity Residential (EQR), UDR Inc. (UDR) and Related Cos. are among companies building projects with energy- saving insulation, solar-heated water and ventilation to improve indoor air quality as a growing number of people opt to rent rather than own homes. read more>>>
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