"LEED"ing The Way In Green

Gantry is becoming the latest Milhaus development to be recognized for a focus on sustainability. Located in the historic Northside neighborhood of Cincinnati, Gantry is a candidate for “LEED for Homes” certification, a rating system established by the U.S. Green Building Council to foster eco-friendly building practices.

Once a lumberyard that dates back to the turn of the 19th century, developers collaborated with community leaders and residents so that Gantry blends into the neighborhood’s historic character. Gantry has been creatively revitalized into a 4-story mixed use development with apartment homes as well as retail/office space.

LEED for Homes measures a home’s performance based on eight categories: site selection, water efficiency, materials & resources, energy and atmosphere, indoor environmental quality, location and linkages, awareness and education, and innovation. Within each of these areas, projects earn points toward certification.

Careful attention to detail means the Gantry residences and office space meet the LEED standards and the energy savings is passed down to residents, who are also living a more sustainable lifestyle just by the location and design of Gantry. They are closer to community amenities and jobs, meaning less reliance on cars.

Residents also enjoy several green features including recycling and a smoke-free community. There are also energy-efficient light bulbs, appliances and water systems.

Here is a full list of the LEED Initiatives for Gantry:

1. Infill location reduces need to use transportation
2. Walking increases physical activity and quality of life
3. Reuse of existing building
4. Brownfield redevelopment
5. Using native plant material – reduces shipping emissions, encourages plant sustainability
6. Bicycle storage
7. Average flow rate for toilets 1.3 gpf - save up to 2,500 gallons per year per person
8. Average flow rate for faucets – 1.5 gpm – save up to 500 gallons per year per person
9. Average flow rate for showers - 1.75 gpm – save up to 1,500 gallons per year per person
10. Energy Star appliances can save up to $80 a year in energy costs compared to standard appliances (10% – 50% less energy consumption)
11. Construction demolition and waste recycling – keeps materials out of landfills
12. Carbon monoxide monitors – increased home safety measures
13. Use of Low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, sealants and materials
14. Trickle vents in windows – improved quality of life for residents. (Trickle vents are very small openings in otherwise closed windows to allow small amounts of ventilation.)
15. Caulking at unit walls to create a “tight” environment – improves sound barrier and insulation values
16. 14 SEER HVAC equipment versus 13 SEER saves about 4% in energy costs (maybe $30-$50 a year in savings)

For more information, visit www.gantrylife.com or call 513.407.2495.

*Milhaus is a team of inspired and industrious individuals, headquartered in Indianapolis, operating from Pennsylvania to Oklahoma, and from Wisconsin to Tennessee. They deliver solutions for neighborhoods that positively impact urban environments by working with cities to provide unparalleled expertise in real estate investments, development, construction and management. Milhaus has built a reputation for implementing complex projects in urban infill and mixed-use environments that are catalyst for neighborhood redevelopment. Ultimately, they develop high-quality projects that are financially responsible, withstand the passage of time, improve peoples’ lives and transform communities. For more information, visit www.milhaus.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.*