
The Earth Day holiday has come and gone, but the celebrations and commitments to sustainability are nowhere near done in New York City. Car Free Earth Day will be celebrated in all boroughs on Sunday, April 26; parks and beaches all over the city are hosting clean-up events in honor of both Earth Day and Arbor Day; and sales have launched at VITA, New York City's largest condominium constructed to Passive House standards to date.
The first public availabilities at the Hudson Yards-adjacent, twin-towered condominium among the 121 units start at $1.29 million for one-bedrooms, $1.93 million for two-bedrooms, and $3.3 million for three-bedrooms. They are located in the gray-toned north tower, which is nearing completion, and sales will launch on units in the white south tower when this is sold out. Occupancy is estimated for later this fall.
The first public availabilities at the Hudson Yards-adjacent, twin-towered condominium among the 121 units start at $1.29 million for one-bedrooms, $1.93 million for two-bedrooms, and $3.3 million for three-bedrooms. They are located in the gray-toned north tower, which is nearing completion, and sales will launch on units in the white south tower when this is sold out. Occupancy is estimated for later this fall.

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Spanning Ninth Avenue between West 37th and 38th Streets, VITA stands out at street level with its fluted concrete facade, curved glass windows, and curved corner balconies. The project was helmed by ZD Jasper, and the design by Archimaera is underpinned by an airtight building envelope, triple-glazed windows, advanced energy recovery ventilators, air source heat pump hot water heaters, and VRF heat recovery high efficiency heat pumps for central heating and cooling.
Such features were instrumental in VITA's meeting rigorous Passive House certification standards, which go beyond the highest level of LEED certification. Developed in Germany, buildings that meet the Passive House standard make efficient use of their building envelope, carefully treated windows, strategic shading, and ventilation systems to render conventional heating and cooling systems unnecessary. Not only is the use of less energy better for the environment, but owners have reported drastically lower energy demand and thus lower energy bills.
Such features were instrumental in VITA's meeting rigorous Passive House certification standards, which go beyond the highest level of LEED certification. Developed in Germany, buildings that meet the Passive House standard make efficient use of their building envelope, carefully treated windows, strategic shading, and ventilation systems to render conventional heating and cooling systems unnecessary. Not only is the use of less energy better for the environment, but owners have reported drastically lower energy demand and thus lower energy bills.

Vita, #4DN (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

The environmentally friendly mindset applies to the apartments' interiors by INC Architecture + Design as well, though none of it comes at the expense of luxury or style. Sustainable features include natural materials like European oak wood flooring and honed Fusion Blue Quartzite countertops, induction cooktops in the kitchens, Nest learning thermostats, and energy-efficient in-unit washers and dryers.
Additional perks include abundant light and no noise from the oversized windows, automatic Hunter Douglas PowerView shades, Latch keyless entry, and Brilliant Smart Home Control systems. The induction cooktops in the kitchens are part of a seamlessly integrated Gaggenau appliance package, and milk oak soft-close cabinetry allows for generous storage space. Bedrooms come with generous closet space, and primary baths boast Bardiglio Versilia mosaic floors with radiant heating, thermostatic memory showers, and TOTO Neorest smart toilets. Select units have private balconies.
Additional perks include abundant light and no noise from the oversized windows, automatic Hunter Douglas PowerView shades, Latch keyless entry, and Brilliant Smart Home Control systems. The induction cooktops in the kitchens are part of a seamlessly integrated Gaggenau appliance package, and milk oak soft-close cabinetry allows for generous storage space. Bedrooms come with generous closet space, and primary baths boast Bardiglio Versilia mosaic floors with radiant heating, thermostatic memory showers, and TOTO Neorest smart toilets. Select units have private balconies.


Each building at VITA has an attended reception desk with Amazon Hub package lockers, and each building is topped with a landscaped rooftop deck with grilling areas, dining areas, and skyline views. Shared amenities include a skylit fitness center with Technogym equipment, a spa with sauna and steam room, a golf simulator, and a lounge with entertaining kitchen. Private storage is available for purchase.
As laudable as VITA's environmental achievements are, Archimaera partner Jeremy Zumeida admitted to Mansion Global that the site's address by the Dyer Avenue entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel was a major inspiration for its construction to Passive House standards, which would allow it to effortlessly filter air and block sound. Indeed, not a sound from Ninth Avenue or the Lincoln Tunnel was heard on a visit earlier this month.
When the Port Authority bus terminal replacement is complete, the project will include two decks constructed over Dyer Avenue and transformed into a three-acre public park, allowing for views of greenery from select units at VITA. In the meantime, the building is located a few blocks east of Hudson River Park and to the northeast of Bella Abzug Park. It also enjoys excellent proximity to the Theater District, Hudson Yards retail, and many popular local restaurants.
John Gomes of Douglas Elliman, who is leading sales for VITA, told Mansion Global that he thinks that this large Passive House building will inspire other developers to do the same. However, a number already have. Below, see a selection of listings in Passive House buildings throughout New York City.

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Select Passive House listings
702 Hancock Street, #2B
$795,000 (-11.2%)
Bedford-Stuyvesant | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath | 777 ft2

702 Hancock Street, #2B (Compass)

The Dovecote, #FL2 (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)

Lexe Passive House, #PHA (Home By Choice LLC)

The Butler Collection, #10A
$1,500,000 (-7.7%)
Park Slope | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 1,124 ft2

The Butler Collection, #10A (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

255 Columbia Street, #S4
$1,925,000
Carroll Gardens | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,253 ft2

255 Columbia Street, #S4 (Compass)

28 Herbert Street, #4B (Compass)
435 Putnam Avenue, #TH
$3,400,000
Bedford-Stuyvesant | Townhouse | 6+ Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 4,056 ft2

435 Putnam Avenue, #TH (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)


60 White Street, #PHE (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Charlotte of the Upper West Side, #3
$8,450,000
Broadway Corridor | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, Unknown Baths | 3,570 ft2

Charlotte of the Upper West Side, #3 (CORE Group Marketing LLC)
248 West 71st Street, #TH
$22,900,000 (-11.9%)
Broadway Corridor | Townhouse | 6+ Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 7,110 ft2
248 West 71st Street, #TH (Corcoran Group)

Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?