14 of Chicago's Greenest Apartment Towers
Illinois tops the USGBC's list of states with buildings that meet LEED environmental standards with good reason. Chicago in particular is teeming with new building projects and recently completed developments that make sustainability their goal. In honor of Earth Day 2015, we've rounded up 14 of Chicago's greenest apartment towers.
Location: 225 N. Columbus Dr.
LEED Certification: Silver
Green Features: Green rooftop, 20% reduction in water use; 31% reduction in light power; 100% of materials used have a low VOC content; zero use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Location: 500 Lake Shore Drive
LEED Certification: Gold
Green Features: Low-e glass windows, high-efficiency chiller and low-energy HVAC, high-efficiency T-5 flourescent light fixtures, lighting controls and occupancy sensors, 91% of construction waste diverted to landfills, low-VOC finishes, Zipcar discount to residents, rain sensors.
Location: 555 W. Kinzie St.
LEED Certification: Gold
Green Features: Recycled building materials, green roof, maximized natural light in each unit, advanced indoor air-quality standards
Location: 469 W. Huron St.
LEED Certification: Gold
Green Features: High level of energy and water efficiency, use of recycled and regional materials and recyclable construction materials, advanced indoor air quality, low-VOC materials, air filtration system, green roof, walkable neighborhood
Location: 340 E. Randolph St.
LEED Certification: Silver
Green Features: "Green" design includes a large winter garden for residents
Location: 5040 N. Kenmore Ave.
LEED Certification: Platinum
Green Features: Smoke free community, central air, landscaped grounds, easy access to public transportation
Location: 222 W. Erie St.
LEED Certification: Silver
Green Features: constructed with locally produced and recycled building materials, water-efficient plumbing fixtures, low VOC-emitting paints and sealants, bike storage rooms with changing rooms for employees, car-share services
Location: 1209 W. Arthur Ave.
LEED Certification: Silver
Green Features: ready access to sunlight and fresh air via balconies, terraces and an expansive green roof garden, low-VOC paint and sealants, sustainable and recycled building materials, native and drought-resistant plants, bicycle storage room, shared car program, close to public transit
Location: 1 E. Delaware St.
LEED Certification: Silver
Green Features: Residences are equipped with energy efficient appliances, advanced indoor environmental quality, energy and water-efficient practices
Location: 555 W. Madison St.
LEED Certification: Silver
Green Features: Water and energy efficiency practices, locally sourced products, green building tech
Location: 840 W. Blackhawk St.
LEED Certification: Silver
Green Features: Zipcar accessibility, bike storage, water and energy efficiency practices, locally-sourced products, green building tech
Location: 365 N. Halsted St.
LEED Certification: Silver
Green Features: alternative transportation-public transportation access, water use reduction, using recycled and regional materials for construction
Address: 71 W. Hubbard St.
LEED Certification: Gold
Green features: Low VOC materials, bike storage, smoke-free community, energy efficient household products, community recycling, 20% water reduction, electric vehicle stations
Address: 73 E. Lake St.
LEED Certification: Gold
Green features: Low VOC materials, energy efficient household products, community recycling, sustainable and recycled building materials1
