Governor Pataki Unveils The Solaire, First 'Green' Residential Tower in U.S.
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GEORGE PATAKI JOINED WITH MEMBERS OF THE ALBANESE ORGANIZATION
New York State Governor George E. Pataki today unveiled The Solaire, the first environmentally advanced residential tower in the U.S. (PRNewsFoto)[AS]
NEW YORK, NY USA 09/05/2003
NEW YORK, Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- NYS Governor George E. Pataki today
joined with members of the Albanese Organization, the Hugh L. Carey Battery
Park City Authority, Northwestern Mutual, and leaders in the architectural and
building industries to inaugurate the country's first "green" --
environmentally sustainable -- residential high rise building. The Solaire,
located at 20 River Terrace in New York's Battery Park City neighborhood, is
also the first new residential construction to be completed in downtown
Manhattan since 9/11.
(Photo: newscom.com )
The Governor, who set the stage for environmentally responsible
development in New York State by introducing the nation's first green building
tax credit in 2000, unveiled the building's cornerstone in a ceremony at The
Solaire's front entrance, beneath its signature photovoltaic panels. Governor
Pataki said, "The Solaire is a model for future residential development in New
York City and across the nation. The technologies employed in constructing
this wonderful building are all tried and tested. Albanese Organization has
done a wonderful job integrating them to create this residence; these
technologies can be duplicated and the advantages realized by any like-minded
developer. I want to thank The Albanese Organization and James Gill and Tim
Carey of the Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority for working together to
move this project from vision into reality."
Russell C. Albanese, President of the Albanese Organization, said, "Our
challenge was not only to engineer a building that would be responsible in its
use of the earth's resources, but also provide a healthy living environment
for its tenants. The vision we shared with Governor Pataki and BPCA was to
create a prototype building that would demonstrate the substantial positive
impact an environmentally engineered residential tower would have on the lives
of individuals and families, and on the neighborhood and the city as a whole.
I want to commend Governor Pataki for his foresight in promoting green
development and passing the first green building tax credit in the country,
well before issues like mold, energy capacity and water quality became
everyday news topics. He is leading New York State and the entire country
towards a greener, healthier, more environmentally responsible future."
The Solaire (http://www.thesolaire.com) was designed to meet stringent
requirements for environmental sustainability and resource conservation and
management throughout the building infrastructure and within each individual
apartment. The 293-unit, 27-story tower has been environmentally engineered
to consume 35% less energy, reduce summer peak demand for electricity by over
65%, utilize one-third less potable water, provide healthier indoor air
quality and offer substantially more natural light than typical residential
buildings. Among the most innovative environmental features of the building
are:
* Photovoltaic cells, integrated within the exterior walls, capable of
generating five percent of the building's base electric load.
* Fresh air supply to each residence, filtered to remove 85% of
particulate matter.
* An air conditioning system fueled by natural gas and free of
ozone-depleting refrigerants.
* On-site black water re-use system for the building's flush system and to
supply the HVAC cooling tower.
* Storm water catchment system to irrigate the rooftop garden.
* A complete building management and monitoring system to control and
monitor air quality and energy performance.
* The use of building materials with high recycled content, or
manufactured with renewable or rapidly renewable resources, free of
added urea formaldehyde and containing low or no volatile organic
compounds (VOCs).
Timothy S. Carey, President & CEO, Battery Park City, said, "In 2000,
Governor Pataki initiated the nation's first tax credit for 'green'
development, and in doing so set the stage for healthy urban living. Thanks to
the vision of the Governor, The Solaire serves as a benchmark for
environmentally sustainable development, and an example to the entire world."
Rising interest in healthy living and environmentally responsible building
has propelled interest in The Solaire. The first tenants moved in over July 4
weekend. The building is already more than 80% leased.
"The ability to live in a building that promotes good health at every
level of design, construction and maintenance is proving to be a powerful
attraction for New Yorkers. The coupling of an environmentally astute
structure with superior finishes, spectacular views and 5-star service is an
ideal package," said Christopher Albanese, Executive Vice President of the
Albanese Organization.
The Albanese Organization (http://www.albaneseorg.com) is a privately held,
full-service real estate firm dedicated to creating commercial and residential
buildings of distinction, quality and architectural merit that optimize value,
are environmentally responsible, and enhance the communities in which they are
located. Albanese Organization has been a leader in the New York real estate
development community since 1949.
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