Roberts Brothers Developments Go Green with Help from Vertegy
St. Louis, Mo., July 17, 2006…Michael and Steven Roberts have tapped award-winning, sustainable-consulting firm Vertegy to assist with the development of two significant sustainable projects in the City of St. Louis. The Roberts Luxury Residences, the first new residential tower in downtown St. Louis in 40 years, and the 26-home Roberts Place subdivision near the city’s Central West End, will both be designed with environmental influences that are anticipated to capture top rankings from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Vertegy’s design for The Roberts Luxury Residences is expected to achieve Gold certification under the USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, the organization’s second highest ranking for sustainability. Vertegy has already completed the development of The Roberts Luxury Residences sales center at 9th and Olive, which showcases the sustainable options available within the $.5 million-and-up condos. In addition to interior features such as recycled ceramic tiles, energy-star compliant appliances and bamboo floors, the project is designed to utilize materials with high percentages of recycled content. The project will also utilize a low-emitting strategy, using materials containing no or low VOCs, which contributes to improved indoor air quality and enables the property to operate at peak efficiency levels.
The certification will be determined once the luxury high-rise is completed and reviewed by the USGBC. Should the project earn the expected Gold LEED certification, the Roberts Luxury Residences will be the first high-rise residential property in the Midwest to achieve such status.
Thomas Taylor, president of Vertegy, stated, “Sustainability has already been a driving force behind the design and development of new commercial properties across the country, but now, it’s starting to make its way into the realm of residential living as well. The Roberts Luxury Residences will showcase how sustainable design and construction is done at its best in an opulent setting.”
While work won’t get underway on The Roberts Luxury Residences until late in 2006, groundwork for the Roberts Place subdivision is already underway. The single-family homes will be constructed with a 100 percent insulated-concrete forming system that is resistant to fire, earthquake and infestation, and provides 25 to 50 percent energy savings. Roberts Place homes will be developed to meet the highest level of achievement possible under the NAHB Green Guidelines, and are expected to generate utility bills of less than $50 per month. In a time of rising energy costs, that feature alone is expected to be a key selling factor for the homes in this unique development.
“It’s a matter of blending technology with good design and old-fashioned characteristics that will make this project revolutionary to home building,” said Taylor.
Among other LEED registered and/or certified projects Vertegy has worked on are the Security Building in downtown St. Louis, one of the few LEED registered buildings on the National Registry of Historic Buildings; Centocor Biologics’ 46,000 sq. ft. office building; St. Louis Community College’s new West County Campus; and the William A. Kerr Foundation offices.
The various projects that Vertegy has worked on incorporate a number of unique and innovative design elements, including catchment systems that use rainwater for sewage conveyance; waterless urinals; motorized operable windows for cooling; the use of natural light for warming and minimizing electrical consumption; reuse of existing buildings and products to avoid landfill material; wind turbines, and even recycled denim jeans used for wall insulation. The end result is more comfortable, healthier and resourceful facilities that are actually less expensive to operate.
Founded in February 2005, Vertegy provides clients with design, procurement and construction consulting services for green and sustainable facilities. Vertegy’s primary focus is to serve clients who seek LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Vertegy — which is derived from combining the Latin root for green and strategy — is based in St. Louis at the new LEED Platinum Alberici headquarters. For more information, call 314.733.2666.
