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
Multifamily Housing | Jan 28, 2019
Luxury townhomes rise on the site of a former office park in Irvine, Calif.
KTGY Architecture + Planning designed the project.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 25, 2019
The country's most expensive home sells for $238 million
The unit comprises four stories at 220 Central Park South in Manhattan.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 22, 2019
Caoba is the first tower to open at Miami Worldcenter
Caoba was co-developed by CIM Group and Falcone Group.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 16, 2019
Micro-units: Good for the city? Good for citizens?
Thinking more holistically about housing typologies and zoning will improve our public realm.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 7, 2019
364-unit multifamily development planned near Lake Lewisville in Texas
BGO Architects is designing the project.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 18, 2018
Redesigning the intergenerational village: Innovative solutions for communities and homes of the future
Social sustainability has become a central concern in terms of its effect that spans generations.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 11, 2018
62-story luxury rental tower provides 40,000 sf of indoor and outdoor amenities in Manhattan
CetraRuddy designed the building.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 6, 2018
JCJ Architecture to design new housing facility for Barrier Free Living
The non-profit’s new facility will provide housing and support services for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities.
Sponsored | Multifamily Housing | Dec 5, 2018
Apartment community connects friends and neighbors through indoor-outdoor amenities
Hubbard Place is a 44-story, 450-unit apartment community in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, an established tech hub in the downtown area. The building has an entire floor dedicated to communal and entertainment amenities.