At 2000 N. Milwaukee, the most significant tenant issue was the constant rumbling from the nearby CTA trains. The south-facing elevation opens up to an all-glass façade. In order to take advantage of natural light and city views while still allowing residents to sleep at night, HPA selected acoustically appropriate windows. Their combination of tinted, low-e glazing and sunscreens makes the building energy-efficient—another significant attribute of successful mixed-use projects.
The Meridian at Grosvenor Station is an all-electric building. Each unit has a 15 SEER heat pump that is individually metered, allowing renters to control their utility costs. That’s just one sustainable feature in a building designed for maximum efficiency. “We focus on using efficient designs in the stacking of water risers, waste lines, and electric cabling,” says Ewart. “The materials on the exterior skin, like masonry and aluminum window sliders, are sized and spaced so that they can be installed quickly.”
Lessard says that Paradigm is very hands-on during the design phase. “They look at every little detail,” he says. “The cost per unit for this project came in at around $199,000, which is a great number,” with no premium for green.
The Broadway Building is Built Green 3-Star certified and part of Seattle’s Built Smart energy-efficiency program. Healthy indoor air quality is an important factor in its design and marketing.