From the green roof Mayor Daley installed on top of City Hall to Oprah’s insistence that her staff bring in reusable mugs for their morning coffee, Chicagoans are doing their part to help the environment. But few places deliver on the promise of green living like Senco Properties’ EcoLogic Lofts in Bucktown.
The 94-unit building, which will start welcoming residents in fall 2009, combines an environmentally sensitive design with top-of-the-line, modern amenities. The result? Urban living you can feel good about.
The building’s green credentials start at the very top. Rooftop wind turbines – a rarity in Chicago – will help generate power for the building. The roof will also be covered with low-maintenance plants, which help insulate the building and soak up rain, lessening wasteful water runoff. Thanks to these and other features, the building is expected to receive LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, signaling the development’s commitment to environmentally sensitive design.
LEED-accredited professionals were consulted throughout FitzGerald Architects Associates’ design process. The construction itself will be eco-sensitive, from on-site recycling programs to filtering water runoff. More than 20% of the building materials will be recycled components, and many materials were sourced from suppliers within 500 miles of Chicago to conserve fuel and transport-related pollution.
The commitment to earth-friendly living extends into each individual unit. Bamboo, a sustainable material that grows quickly and is easy to replant, was selected for the flooring. Water-efficient fixtures were installed in all bathrooms and kitchens. Low-emission paints, adhesives and carpeting were chosen to avoid the fumes many materials emit after installation.
Because the EcoLogic Lofts are designed to avoid toxic materials as much as possible, residents will be moving into homes with superior air quality, and the units have been designed to keep pollution and fumes away. Green cleaning products will be used in all common areas, and the janitors’ closets are sealed and vented to the outside. Each unit has its own individual duct work, which keeps out odors and allows for individual air quality control.
The building also encourages residents to conserve resources. The many shops and boutiques of Bucktown are within easy walking distance. To promote biking, there will be a secured store room for bicycles. In the garage, hybrid cars will get priority parking, and there’s also a dedicated space for I-GO, a car-sharing service.
At EcoLogic, going green doesn’t mean giving up modern conveniences. The stylish seven-story building has an open, contemporary look, with floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious floor plans. Each of the one- and two-bedroom units has its own balcony, many with views of the city skyline, and the kitchens come with stainless steel, ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances. An in-house fitness center makes keeping in shape a breeze – no more wasting gas by driving to the gym.
More and more Chicagoans are looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment. EcoLogic Lofts will take that commitment to conservation a step further: By making environmentally responsible choices throughout the construction, it’s a model for urban living. From its modern style to its in-demand amenities, EcoLogic proves that living green can also mean living well.
The EcoLogic Lofts sales center is at 2023 W Fullerton Ave. Its 94 one- and two-bedroom homes range from 690 to 1,335 square feet, with prices starting in the low $200s.