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Philadelphia — Jan. 13, 2015 — Post Brothers, a leading-edge real estate company specializing in the creation of innovative residential communities in key metropolitan markets, announced that Goldtex, its distinctive 13-story apartment community in Philadelphia, has received the prestigious LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
The recognition represents Philadelphia’s first and only LEED Gold certification for a residential high-rise building.
Once home to the Goldtex shoe factory, the reimagined Goldtex building is now home to the city’s most unique — and environmentally friendly — apartment community. In total, the zero-carbon-footprint redesign saves an estimated 15 million pounds of CO2 each year, the equivalent of the emissions from 1,200 motor vehicles.
Goldtex, along with the entirety of Post Brothers’ portfolio, runs on 100 percent wind-generated power. Post Brothers is the largest residential landlord purchaser of wind-generated power in the region.
“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 and co-founder, Post Brothers. “This recognition from the USGBC is a testament to the meticulous attention we paid to every component of Goldtex’s infrastructure to transform a once-outdated factory into one of the most environmentally advanced buildings anywhere in Philadelphia.”
To achieve LEED certification, Goldtex was assessed based on the industry’s highest standards for the use of sustainable and renewable resources, minimizing environmental waste and pollution, optimizing indoor air quality, and seeking to reduce or eliminate contact with toxic or hazardous conditions.
The USGBC cited a number of sustainable implementations in its LEED Gold rating, including Goldtex’s entirely new building envelope, which creates an insulating thermal barrier using 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, further maximizing the building’s energy consumption and retention.
Goldtex’s windows and electronically controlled shades, combined with a revamped HVAC system that uses ambient heat, are also designed to provide seamless temperature control while conserving energy use. Each apartment is also equipped with Energy Star-rated appliances and efficient LED light fixtures.
Located in one of Center City’s hottest neighborhoods, Goldtex continues to experience high demand from the area’s growing rental base. The building provides panoramic city views from its stylish rooftop pool lounge, while offering high-end finishes, extra-high ceilings and windows, and locally inspired artistic designs to create a unique upscale environment that’s both authentic and original.
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 about 1,000 apartment units centered around a brand new expansive pool club and leisure area. Additionally, the company recently launched a $250 million investment strategy in University City, Philadelphia’s epicenter for collegiate education and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) commerce.
For more information, visit www.postrents.com.
