It might seem strange to find a model of environmental sustainability in the gritty Humboldt Park neighborhood, but Artesian Green, at 1330 N Artesian Ave, will soon be just that.
The seven-unit gut rehab has studio, one- and two-bedroom condos with some of the most advanced green features we’ve seen on a development its size.
The building will be Energy Star rated, and according to Tom DeMattia of HRT Development, will be 40 to 70 percent more energy efficient than the standard home.
The building will use a blown-in, soy-based insulation instead of standard fiberglass and will also have a solar-powered hot water heater. DeMattia says that this will lower yearly costs to the level of two months of normal payments. “The payback is immediate,” he says.
There is also a solar convection panel made from recycled bottles and cans, which provides heat to the units from fans that blow the absorbed energy down.
All the condos have bamboo flooring, and eco-friendly upgrades are available. The upgraded counters will be made of PaperStone, which mixes recycled paper with a non-toxic polymer, and the cabinets will be made from aluminum instead of standard particle board, which uses formaldehyde, DeMattia says.
Highly reflective windows and clay-plaster wall finishes will help keep the home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, he says.
Other features include fireplaces, steam showers, Energy Star appliances, Jacuzzi tubs, French doors and stone baths.
Parking is also available for around $20,000 per space. DeMattia says he is also negotiating for a car-sharing service, such as Zipcar or I-GO, to have cars at the building.
Construction has just begun, and DeMattia expects deliveries in the late fall. Prices at Artesian Green range from the $160s to the $260s.