Philly Gets First Zero-Carbon-Footprint Residential Building
Post Brothers’ Goldtex apartment community celebrated its achievement as Philadelphia’s first and only LEED Gold certified residential high-rise.
By Adriana Pop, Associate Editor
Philadelphia–The Goldtex apartment building at 315 North 12th St. officially received LEED Gold certification, according to an announcement from Post Brothers, the property’s developer.
Goldtex Apartments in Philadelphia
The recognition marks Philadelphia’s first and only LEED Gold Certification for a residential high-rise.
Located in one of Center City’s hottest neighborhoods, Goldtex was once home to the Goldtex shoe factory. The building’s new design saves an estimated 15 million pounds of carbon dioxide each year, or the equivalent of emissions from 1,200 motor vehicles.
Sustainable features include an entirely new building envelope, which creates an insulating thermal barrier utilizing its original shell as a heat sink. Post Brothers also installed a variety of light-spreading and non-light-transmitting windows with heat-blocking coatings, maximizing the building’s energy consumption and retention.
Goldtex, along with the developer’s entire portfolio, runs on 100 percent wind-generated power. Post Brothers is in fact the largest residential landlord purchaser of wind-generated power in the region.
Each apartment in the 13-story multifamily community is equipped with Energy Star-rated appliances and efficient LED light fixtures. A stylish rooftop pool lounge, high-end finishes, extra-high ceilings and windows, as well as locally inspired artistic designs create a unique upscale environment for residents.
“It’s well known that buildings are collectively one of the greatest contributors to greenhouse gases worldwide. From the moment we set forth redevelopment plans for the Goldtex building, a keen attention to sustainability and energy efficiency was absolutely paramount to our strategy,” said Michael Pestronk, CEO & co-founder of Post Brothers. “This recognition from the USGBC [U.S. Green Building Council] is a testament to the meticulous attention we paid to every component of Goldtex’ infrastructure to transform a once-outdated factory into one of the most environmentally advanced buildings anywhere in Philadelphia.”
Founded in 2007, Post Brothers continues to be one of most active multifamily owner-developers in the region. The company is currently in the midst of the large-scale redevelopment of Presidential City, one of the most historic and well-known residential communities in the region. Post Brothers is implementing gut renovations and exterior improvements to the complex’s four high-rise towers, which comprise approximately 1,000 apartment units centered around a brand new expansive pool club and leisure area. The company has also launched a $250 million investment strategy in University City, Philadelphia’s epicenter for collegiate education and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) commerce.
Image courtesy of Post Brothers
