Aug 13 2010
UDR, Inc. (NYSE: UDR), a leading multifamily real estate investment trust (REIT), today announced that The Belmont apartment community located at 2500 Bennett Avenue in Dallas, Texas, recently received LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The development is the first apartment community in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to receive such a designation. The certification represents the most recent initiative in UDR’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.
The community, consisting of 464 homes in 5 main buildings was designed and engineered to use 20% less energy and 36% less water than a conventional apartment community, creating significant operational savings for the customer and for the community. On average, residents should see an annual reduction of $380 - $550 to their utility bill.
“We’re very proud of The Belmont, it is a great example of UDR’s sustainability program and commitment to green building,” said Doug Walker, senior vice president of asset quality for UDR. “This community represents a win-win for all parties – our residents, UDR and the environment.”
The Belmont apartment community
The Belmont has helped transform a once decaying urban area into a revitalized, sustainable apartment community. A contemporary and sustainable design trademarks the community, while expansive street side patios and sidewalks promote the urban lifestyle.
Key green features of the community include highly efficient windows and insulation, compact fluorescent lighting, an onsite public transit stop, and bicycle storage. The Belmont also boasts the first networked electric vehicle charging station in the multifamily housing industry. These features contribute to the 1,000 metric tons of CO2 that is saved annually by the community – equivalent to removing 200 cars from the roads for an entire year.
The sustainable features of The Belmont expand beyond the physical development. Community tours aim to educate prospective residents about sustainability and the community’s green features. New residents receive a welcome gift of a reusable grocery bag filled with eco-friendly cleaning and laundry products, a recyclable mouse pad, and a biodegradable commuter coffee mug. In addition, both the leasing and service teams have been formally trained to operate the green features of the community.
Both its modern design and the sustainable features have attracted residents to The Belmont. The development, which opened in 2009, is currently being leased at twice the expected absorption rate highlighting the local community’s strong demand for an environmentally friendly apartment complex.
Source: http://www.udr.com/