And so it begins.
The Solarium in Long Island City has been "green certified" by the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, becoming the first building to get that certification in Queens. Not only will the apartments be stocked with Energy Star appliances, low flow toilets and bamboo floors, but the building will be topped with a 6-foot-wide wind turbine, used to power the elevators and common areas. Leasing consultant VP Rick Rosa told the Daily News, "We needed to be different. Right now, being green is a fad. In five years, that fad is going to be a reality."
Solarium is definitely milking the fad for all it's worth. Prices start at $400,000 for a one-bedroom condo to $1.6 million for a three-bedroom townhouse. Developer Joe Palumbo said it costs about 15% more to construct a green building, but the savings are in the cut costs of utilities from the energy efficient heating and cooling system. However, the building has not been LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. But certification or not, the green "fad" has officially landed in Queens. Be on the lookout for at least a 60% increase in fixies, food co-ops and rooftop golfing.
