COOKFOX's 150 Charles Street Attains LEED Gold Certification

You can say the word "luxury" is now meaningless in New York; after all, luxury is used to describe anything from cookie-cutter studios to penthouse pads overlooking the skyline. However, there’s a small breed of developers that sets their product apart both in terms of quality provided to buyers and in terms of the overall social consciousness conveyed by their developments.

One area that exemplifies this social good aspect is the integration of environmentally-friendly systems and materials within spaces and buildings. Starting in 1994, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) has become the foremost standard to measure a building's environmental footprint. LEED is a comprehensive system of interrelated standards covering aspects from the design and construction. The developers and architects that subscribe to the standard shape their projects to prioritize energy efficiency, construction waste and material resource to aid in the health and happiness of their residents as well as the society around them.

In addition to attaining the second highest-tier of LEED certification, 150 Charles Street has earned a coveted far West Village spot, between Washington and West streets, when it opened in late 2015. Joining the historic architecture of the area, the three-story structure (formerly the Whitehall storage warehouse) was redesigned to hold 91 condominiums over its 15 floors. COOKFOX Architects, which collaborated on the redesign in conjunction with Alan Wanzenberg Design, retained the masonry facade of the original structure —adding 10 four-story townhouse units within, a sensational 33,000-square-foot green space, and enviable high-end amenities. 

Among these is a 3,000-square-foot fitness center complete with two private exercise studios, an entertainment lounge, a children's' playroom, and a 75-foot lap pool with an adjoining hot tub. The property is also staffed with a full-time doorman, and a dedicated concierge, and personal and bicycle storage, a private covered driveway, valet, and garage are also available on-site.