Many New York City co-op and condo boards had been resistant to the idea of approving green retrofits and energy-efficiency upgrades, but that reluctance might be in retreat.
A principal at Urbanstrong, a green building consultancy, says the attitude of board members has shifted recently, according to a Habitat report. First, boards are realizing that they will have no choice but to comply with recent New York carbon-reduction laws.
They are also hearing from other boards that solar panels can be a welcome source of income as well as an effective carbon-reduction strategy. In addition, a sustainability-enhancing feature such as a green roof can increase property values, particularly if it includes an attractive lounge space.
The city’s one million buildings have 40,000 acres of roof space. Just a tiny fraction of those spaces accommodate solar panels or resident amenities. Some properties are making plans to green up HVAC by replacing old, inefficient heating and cooling systems with a combination of heat pumps and efficient gas boilers.
Related Stories
Mixed-Use | Jul 14, 2020
Apartments and condos occupy what was once a five-story car dealership
Wisznia | Architecture+Development designed, developed, and is managing the project.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 7, 2020
AEMSEN develops concept for sustainable urban living
The concept has been created for the redevelopment of the lots on the Barbizonlaan in Capelle aan den IJssel.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 29, 2020
New affordable housing development comes to the Bay Area
The two phase project will provide 100 affordable units total.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 23, 2020
11 tips on how to install EV charging stations in multifamily housing
A top sustainability expert gives the whys and wherefores of installing electric vehicle charging posts in your next multifamily enterprise.
Coronavirus | Jun 19, 2020
Experts address COVID-19's impact on nursing homes and schools on The Weekly
The June 18 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand.
Senior Living Design | Jun 11, 2020
COVID-19: An "outdoor living room" for senior living residents to safely visit with their families
Aegis Living creates a plexiglass-wrapped outdoor space for residents to sit while visiting with family members.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 10, 2020
60-unit independent senior living facility completes in Crystal Lake, Ill.
UrbanWorks designed the project.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 9, 2020
Two 56-story prefabricated towers will make up Singapore’s newest residential district
ADDP Architects designed the project.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 4, 2020
Roof hatches selected for infill townhomes in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood
Townhome project in Little Havana, Miam, Fla., uses BILCO roof hatches for reliability, code compliance.
Multifamily Housing | May 29, 2020
New multifamily project includes energy storage as an amenity
Each battery is linked to an on-site solar panel array.
