Already known as an industry leader for creating green, sustainable buildings, developer Larry Bijou has added another honor to his mantle.
His creation, the Garden Street Lofts at 14th and Garden streets, which was once an old Hostess coconut processing factory, has been certified by a national non-profit organization as the first “gold” standard residential high-rise in New Jersey.
In the Lofts, the floors are made with bamboo because it is much easier to replenish than wood, the sheetrock is made from 99 percent recycled materials, and the insulation is made from old cotton and denim jeans.
The insulation is made from old cotton and denim jeans.
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“Preserving an old structure while wrapping a new structure around and above it is no easy task,” lead contractor Anthony Del Russo said.
The U.S. Green Building Council (GBC), a non-profit “preeminent” national rating organization that assesses environmental impact of buildings, awards certification on four levels: standard certified, silver, gold, and platinum. Ratings are based on a variety of different standards builders are asked to meet.
Bijou said at a press conference Tuesday that projects such as the Lofts are helping position Hoboken as the state’s leader in “green” building.
Florence Block, executive director of the GBC’s New Jersey chapter, agreed, adding that Hoboken may be considered for a special “green” neighborhood design project sponsored by the GBC.
Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise said Hoboken has been “redefining itself” as a green city, and the county has also been at the forefront of sustainable building.
Brandy Forbes, Hoboken director of Community Development, said the city may create incentives to entice greener development, possibly in the form of expedited processing and special hearing dates.
Freeholder Anthony Romano said he is just glad to see that the old dilapidated factories of his youth are being beautified and put to use.
A few still available for purchase
Only seven of the Lofts’ 30 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments remain available, starting at $999,000.
Penthouse apartments, with a fireplace, 1,400 square-foot wrap-around terrace, and six-person outdoor hot tub, start at $2.4 million, according to Irene Perello of Hudson Place Realty.
For more information on the Garden Street Lofts, visit www.gardenstreetlofts.com.
Timothy J. Carroll may be reached at tcarroll@hudsonreporter.com.