The developers of Soleil Laurel Canyon decided to start offering EarthCraft certified homes because more and more buyers were selecting upgraded insulation and other features to reduce energy costs.

Homes at Soleil range from 1,500 to almost 3,000 square feet and are priced between $200,000 and the high $400,000s. Yard maintenance, a 24-hour staffed security gatehouse, and home security monitoring are included in the association fees. This environment, which also includes a clubhouse with heated indoor saline pool, billiards parlor, gourmet teaching kitchen, fitness center and aerobics studio, library, two card rooms and an arts and crafts studio, is why Soleil is truly one of Atlanta’s best active adult communities.

EarthCraft certified homes provide a number of benefits, including lower utility costs, enhanced indoor air quality, increased comfort and reduced home maintenance. On average, EarthCraft certified homes sell for a higher price than the average home  at the same list price and sell more quickly than conventionally built homes. EarthCraft was established in 1999 by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface. For more information on EarthCraft, visit www.EarthCraft.org.

Where to Retire Magazine even rated Soleil Laurel Canyon as one of the country’s top 50 master planned communities for active adults.  A performing arts center, outdoor amphitheatre, outdoor lagoon-style pool, six clay tennis courts, full-time tennis pro, walking trails, a greenhouse and neighboring golf course round out the long list of amenities. For more information on Soleil Laurel Canyon, visit www.SoleilLaurelCanyon.com or call 678-880-3071.

With homeownership at historic lows, many residents in Chicago and around the nation are turning to rental properties for living quarters.

Developer AMLI Residential broke ground last week on a luxury 50-story apartment tower in downtown Chicago that will be built for LEED Gold Designation and designed as part of Chicago’s Green Permit Process.

The high-end AMLI development will include lots of luxurious features, including a pool, fitness center, theatre room and in-unit floor-to-ceiling windows that provide natural night and beautiful city views.

The building will also include a no-smoking policy in which offenders found lighting up anywhere on the property, including in units, will have to send $250 to the American Lung Association.

Want to find out more about this pet-friendly residential tower, including its green features and expected completion date? Check out our story:

Construction Commences on Chicago Luxury Tower

and then check back to Chicagoland Real Estate Forum for updates on this exciting project.

EnV, one of the first LEED-certified apartment buildings in Chicago, is a 249-unit luxury rental property that was designed by Valerio Dewalt Train Associates.

The building was honored with the 2011 MFE Award for its green design.

The 29-story, mixed-use tower was completed last year with environmentally friendly features, including:

*A green roof made of sedum, which lowers energy costs.

*Energy Star appliances in all units

*Outdoor landscaping that requires no irrigation

*Onsite service to Zipcar and bike storage

There is also a multitude of amenities at this modern property, which is located across the street from Chicago’s historic Merchandise Mart. Want to see more? Check out our story:

Chicago Real Estate to be EnVied

One East Delaware (OED), which is located right off the Magnificent Mile in Chicago’s premier Gold Coast neighborhood, becomes the third largest community in the country to earn the certification.

Owned by Waterton Residential, OED is a Chicago high-rise that features studio, convertible, one- and two-bedroom residences for rent.

The units are filled with energy-efficient additions, including floor-to-ceiling windows, which not only offer natural sunlight but also provide fantastic views of Chicago.

This building received the certification by meeting standards established by the USBGC.

Want to find out more about those standards and all that this multifamily green building has to offer? Want to get a glimpse of the fabulous view?

Check out our story:

Multifamily Chicago Real Estate First to Earn Green

The ENERGY STAR designation means homes offer more than just energy efficient appliances, heating and cooling systems. It takes a more holistic approach in ensuring the home is overall designed to be energy-efficient from its initial planning stages.

Ashton Woods Homes is the largest builder of energy-efficient homes in the Atlanta area. The builder has committed to building 100 percent ENERGY STAR complaint homes. Since becoming a partner in 2002, Ashton Woods has built more than 2,100 energy-efficient homes in the Atlanta area; during April 2010 to March 2011, 319 were built.

In addition to the ENERGY STAR qualification, every new home built by Ashton Woods is rated energy-efficient through the PowerHouse Green with Environments for Living Program. Utilizing low-e windows, low-flush toilets and other low-energy features, home buyers can save up to 45 percent on their utility bills.

Start your energy-efficient Atlanta home search today. Visit the Ashton Woods Homes website for more information.

Lakeside is a proposed community to be built along Lake Michigan on Chicago’s South Side where the U.S. Steel’s South Works manufacturing plant used to sit.

The 500-acre site will include enough single-family homes and high-rise units for 50,000 residents, retail and entertainment space, a marina and a new high school.

The Chicago Lakeside Development Master Plan is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) certified community from the U.S. Green Building Council and will include these environmentally friendly features:

*Large open spaces, compact walkable neighborhoods and access to bike paths and public transportation.

*1.7 miles of additional lakefront access, 91 acres of lakefront park and 125 acres of green space.

*On-site and off-shore wind development.

*Geothermal/lake water cooling.

*Solar panel inclusion.

*An innovative stormwater management plan.

Want to learn more about this new community? Read our story:

Untapped Chicago Real Estate About to Bloom

Then, check back to Chicagoland Real Estate Forum for updates on this exciting project.

215 West, located at 215 W. Washington St. in downtown Chicago, is the first rental residence to be built in the Loop in the last 15 years and is one of the city’s only high-rise apartment buildings to be developed for LEED certification.

The 50-story tower was constructed with energy, lighting, water and material use in mind. As a result, residents will see lower utility bills while leaving a smaller carbon footprint on the neighborhood.

The pet-friendly building has amenities as well, with a fourteenth floor that rivals country-club living.

The building was recently awarded the LEED Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council and the Green Building Certification Institute.

Want to learn more about 215 West and its amenities? Check out our stories at ChicagolandRealEstateForum.com:

Loop Chicago Real Estate Designated Green

Green High Rise in the Loop Ready for Renters and Their Furry Friends

In the latter, you’ll find out upon what historic site 215 West was developed.

Several important topics and courses that will be offered include:

• Advanced Green Building: Building Science (two-day session)
• Advanced Green Building: Project Management (two-day session)
• Business Management for Building Professionals
• Green Building for Building Professionals (two-day session)
• Power Hour Breakout Sessions with product demos

People who attend the Advanced Green Building sessions will be happy to know that they count towards receiving the new Master Certified Green Professional designation. In addition to these sessions, there are networking opportunities, breakout sessions and over 100 exhibits for people to meet other green building professionals and learn about the latest trends. Attendees will also be taken on a Home Tour where they will see real-world examples of green principles. And for those who want to see who’s been making a splash in the industry, the NAHB Green Building Awards Dinner will be held at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center.

Whether you’re a builder, remodeler, developer, product manufacturer or home inspector, the National Green Building Conference & Expo can benefit you. The conference takes place at the Salt Palace Convention Center  from May 1 through 3 with pre-conference courses on April 27 through 30.

For more information and to register, visit the NAHB website.

About the Project:
Project Location: 3310 Shoshone St in NW Denver

Owner / GC: Urban Green Development

Project Goal: A fundraising project to showcase and network sustainable building contractors and green suppliers.

Background: Being built in one of Denver’s “hot spot” building neighborhoods, NW Denver’s historic Highland area, “The Green Cube” will be the city’s first LEED Platinum single family home, the highest sustainable/built green rating possible. When complete the home is expected use just 40% of the energy of a code built home.
The home is scheduled to open in late fall off 2011 as a Green Built Show Home in conjunction with U.S. Built Green Council, and will be featured on the DIY Network throughout the process. The home will bring together area contractors, suppliers using sustainable and reusable products as well as serve as a fundraising project to support an annual scholarship fund enabling North High students to pursue careers in the Green Building Industry. When complete the Show Home will host tours, open houses, seminars and special events all raising money for North High career scholarships.

The Show Home will host 3,000-5,000 trade professionals and consumers during the month of July 2011 The project offers the opportunity to partner and network with the nearly 100 green trades, suppliers and services required to build the home from start to finish. Please contact Brett Robben at 303-433-6212 or email brettrobben@comcast.net