Super green, mixed-use rehab underway at 71 E. Garfield

Model D, 2/4/2010

More and more projects based around green building and historic preservation are coming to fruition in Detroit's Midtown (Cass Corridor) neighborhood. Think turning the some of the worst blight into sparkling examples of why it makes sense to invest in the Motor City.

Excerpt:

A significant historic preservation project is nearing completion in Midtown's Sugar Hill district, which is bounded by E. Forest, John R, E. Garfield and Woodward. The building, at 71 E. Garfield, was once a hotel and was recently ravaged by fire. It is currently under construction and is poised to literally emerge from the ashes as a super-green mixed-use complex of 22 live/work spaces geared towards artists and eight art studio/retail spaces. The grand opening is slated for April 2010.

The building is on track for Energy Star rating and to accomplish energy reduction below 50% of current ASHRAE standards. Solar power will offset 20 percent of the building's energy load and a geothermal system will provide heating and cooling. All appliances and windows are Energy Star, it is highly insulated and employs a white roof, which has proven to aid efficiency more than darker flat roofs. A 3,000 gallon cistern will collect water on the roof, recycled materials were used for flooring and reclaimed doors were used when possible.

Read the rest of the story here and about more ultra-green historic restorations in Midtown here.

Downtown Living , Green Building , Historic Preservation , Historic Sites , Housing , Redevelopment , Sustainability , Sustainability , Wayne County , Wayne State University

Detroit