Brooklyn

Over two years ago, we wrote about 1870 Eastern Parkway, a 41-unit, 3-building affordable condominium complex in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. The project, which was designed by Dattner Architects and developed by Habitat for Humanity, was completed back in September and is seeking a LEED Gold rating from USGBC. Earlier this week, we were happy to read that 27 families have already moved into the complex and, according to Brownstoner, all 41 of the units have been sold to applicants who earn between 45 and 80 percent of the area's median annual income at an average price of $145,000. Although nearly 90,000 people live in Brownsville, only 16 percent of residents actually own their homes; median household income is less than $21,000. The 41 units at 1870 Eastern Parkway are twice the number that Habitat for Humanity will produce in a typical year, and residents should save up to 30 percent on their energy bills thanks to Dattner's design program, which also specified various low-VOC and recycled-content materials.

Green Envy Development Group announced yesterday that the offering plan for its four-unit Silhouette condominium development in Park Slope has been accepted. CEO Robert Roth also announced pricing for each unit: the ground floor unit with backyard space is $959,000.00; the second floor unit is $899,000.00; the third floor unit (with one-half roof garden) is $979,000.00; and the fourth floor unit (also with one-half roof garden) is $970,000.00. Designed by formerly Brooklyn-based Coggan + Crawford Architecture Design, the four-story Silhouette is seeking New York City's first dual Energy Star and LEED Platinum certification; you'll recall that the former is under EPA’s program for new homes, requires an energy efficiency of 15 percent over the 2004 International Residential Code, and performance must be verified by a third-party Home Energy Rater who performs an on-site inspection of the property’s insulation, ductwork, and air tightness.

Construction is underway on a 7900-square-foot environment-friendly gymnasium in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn that's set to open up this fall. In building out the second floor of a warehouse at 232 Varet Street, the Green Fitness Studio will incorporate a variety of sustainable design features, including rubber exercise flooring made from recycled car tires. The gym's interior lighting will come from CFL and LED installations and most exercise machines will be repurposed, in addition to being self-powered or cordless. Yoga, pilates, and spin classes will be held in a 2000-square-foot atrium covered with efficient glass that will provide an abundance of natural daylight to the gym's interiors. Dual-flush toilets, recycled glass and metal tiles, and automatic soap and towel dispensers will furnish the bathrooms. Manager Rachel Borgen, whose father owns the building and runs his window guard manufacturing company out of the first floor of 232 Varet, is also considering the installation of solar panels on the gym's roof at some point down the line.