You can say the word "luxury" is now meaningless in New York; after all, luxury is used to describe anything from cookie-cutter studios to penthouse pads overlooking the skyline. However, there’s a small breed of developers that sets their product apart both in terms of quality provided to buyers and in terms of the overall social consciousness conveyed by their developments.
One area that exemplifies this social good aspect is the integration of environmentally-friendly systems and materials within spaces and buildings. Starting in 1994, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) has become the foremost standard to measure a building's environmental footprint. LEED is a comprehensive system of interrelated standards covering aspects from the design and construction. The developers and architects that subscribe to the standard shape their projects to prioritize energy efficiency, construction waste and material resource to aid in the health and happiness of their residents as well as the society around them.
The Witkoff Group is one such developer that factors the environment into their bottom line. The global real estate development and investment firm has been recently awarded LEED Gold certification for their West Village condominium, 150 Charles Street —a certification that the U.S. Green Building Council and Green Business (“USGBC”) doesn’t give out lightly. In the report, the USGBC highlighted the property’s energy and water efficiency, regionally sourced materials, indoor air quality and recognized Witkoff for its “dedication to sustainability and leadership in transforming the building industry.”
In response to the announcement, Steve Witkoff, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Witkoff, said that the "prestigious" LEED certification is something they are "very proud to have achieved" and is a that achieving it is a reflection of their "ability to positively impact the environment and the communities.”
Witkoff also added that since they first began the planning process for 150 Charles Street, their “vision was to design a high-quality residential tower that complemented the historic appeal and inherent beauty of the West Village, while offering the very best in upscale living, energy efficiency, and sustainability.”
In addition to attaining the second highest-tier of LEED certification, 150 Charles Street has earned a coveted far West Village spot, between Washington and West streets, when it opened in late 2015. Joining the historic architecture of the area, the three-story structure (formerly the Whitehall storage warehouse) was redesigned to hold 91 condominiums over its 15 floors. COOKFOX Architects, which collaborated on the redesign in conjunction with Alan Wanzenberg Design, retained the masonry facade of the original structure —adding 10 four-story townhouse units within, a sensational 33,000-square-foot green space, and enviable high-end amenities.
Among these is a 3,000-square-foot fitness center complete with two private exercise studios, an entertainment lounge, a children's' playroom, and a 75-foot lap pool with an adjoining hot tub. The property is also staffed with a full-time doorman, and a dedicated concierge, and personal and bicycle storage, a private covered driveway, valet, and garage are also available on-site.
The luxurious lap pool.
Wanzenberg-designed interiors focus on circulating light and air into the elegant, open spaces. Apartments boast high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious walk-in closets; kitchens are by Molteni with hardware by Lefroy Brooks and Nanz. Of course, the center point of 150 Charles are eco-conscious features like the building’s efficient energy consumption, its use of non-toxic materials in its construction, and (our favorite feature) the rainwater-catching system that makes use of the natural environment surrounding the building, by utilizing the 1.4 million gallons of water collected on-site for landscaping.
Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council and Green Business, also commented that, “[a]chieving LEED certification is more than implementing sustainable practices. It represents a commitment to making the world a better place and influencing others to do better.”
Understandably, the building has attracted social media-sweetheart and Sports Illustrated model, Irina Shayk, who is currently renting her unit for a staggering $20K a month. Of course, if you want your own, you only have two units to choose from: A single, sprawling 4-bedroom listed for $35 million or a 3-bed/ 3-bath unit listed for $6.25 million,
Lounge and garden
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