New apartments bring sustainable architecture to the Upper West Side

New York’s Upper West Side has long been a coveted area of the city, but few new developments have risen on the horizon in recent decades.

However, 470 Columbus and West 83rd Street on Manhattan’s Upper West Side is about to get some new, Passive House-certified apartments that will put sustainability front and center on the block.

Designed by award-winning BKSK Architects, Charlotte of the Upper West Side, as the complex is named, will house seven apartments, each with four bedrooms with en suite baths and a separate primary bedroom wing. The full-floor residences incorporate craftsmanship with innovative technology for upscale living with a low environmental impact.

In maintaining the look of traditional Upper West Side architecture, the building’s façade features surfaces of red brick and Italian-made terracotta louvers that filter and make optimal use of natural lighting. Airtight seals around windows and doors keep the spaces comfortable and quiet, buffered from the thrumming city. Triple-paned windows and comprehensive insulation on exterior walls and between residences add to the comfort. In addition to buffering the noise, these practices reduce energy consumption.

The builders aimed to exceed the highest standards of a German sustainability rating called the Passive House Standard, which focuses on dramatically reducing a home’s energy consumption for heating and cooling while providing exceptional air quality. Targeting clean air in a city of millions, Charlotte of the Upper West Side features Swiss-engineered energy recovery ventilation systems that deliver freshly filtered outside air to each apartment and the building lobby.

“Charlotte of the Upper West Side sets an extraordinary new benchmark for sustainable architecture with an emphasis on wellness and luxury in New York City,” said John Roe, principal of Roe Corporation, the real estate company that is selling the units. “Our vision was to create an intelligently-engineered residential building, with integrated state-of-the-art systems designed to foster an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment.”

Selections inside the basic floor plans and the duplex penthouse include handcrafted cabinetry made from FSC-certified white oak by Seattle’s Henrybuilt. Countertops, backsplashes and bathroom surfaces are created from hand-selected, full-slab Olympian White Danby marble. Appliances are chosen with energy savings in mind, too.

In addition to the individual living spaces, the building features public areas aimed at healthy living for all members of the family. This includes multiple garden terraces, a fitness room with high-end equipment and a pet spa. In addition to the independent ventilation systems that introduce fresh air and exhaust stale air, a UV light further treats the air to eliminate nearly all viruses, bacteria and mold.

Roe Corporation expects the first apartments to be ready for purchase in early 2021. If you’re in the market, the starting price is listed at $11 million.