We were returning Sunday morning from our weekly trip to the Hollywood Farmer's Market when my better half noticed a gent donning a large placard advertising a single-family development called The Gatsby Hollywood, which advertised itself as "L.A.’s first all solar-powered, all green urban community." Intriguing enough for us to snap a photo so we could remember to check it out later online...a peek both inside and out of the planned community below. Consisting of 34 homes, the planned Craftsman-styled homes will feature solar roof panels, Energy Star appliances, tankless water heaters, dual-pane windows with Low-E coating, drought-resistant California native plant landscaping and low-emitting building materials to recycled construction waste and lumber culled from managed forests. Each unit offers 2 bedrooms and 1,500-square-foot of living space, plus first floor office, three baths, attached two-car garages, and optional private 217-square-foot rooftop decks with views of the Hollywood sign. Currently still in development, we hope to get a look inside once they're finished (all for the sake of curiosity, as the $800k price tag is way beyond our budget, as most green developments at this time).
Though we think the advertised Craftsman style is a bit of a stretch, we do have to commend the developer for all the smart choices in materials and energy efficient appliances...we hope to see more new developments like these throughout LA, especially in high density areas. Further details about The Gatsby Hollywood here.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Apparently it's all CGI, too. I bet the Simms love it.
view kimg924's profile
That little half round green chair is so cute!
view kiljoywashere's profile
This is great! I recently read about similar examples of sustainable communities like this one, though the areas discussed aren't quite as heavily populated (or polluted for that matter!) as LA.
I love that being environmentally responsible and sustainable is creeping its way into urban development. Being green should be part of everyday living, and it's places like these that help make it possible. It's so great to see that this is being done in such a high dense, urban area.
view TyceH's profile
This is great, but somehow I just know that everyone who buys a place in this community will be insufferable.
view jooly's profile
Though I am happy that the development includes some energy efficiency features, it seems to me if you're going to charge $800,000 or more for a unit, you could be a lot more forthcoming with details on the energy saving and green features. For example: What R-value insulation is being used in the walls and roof? What types of double-pane windows will be installed? Since an Energy Star rating is simply a mimimal standard, what are the efficiency levels of the appliances being offered?
It is notable that the features I mentioned add very little onto the overall construction cost of a unit, however if the buyer is paying a substantial premium for such features in this development, the project is simply another example of "greenwashing".
view John H's profile
Jooly, that's priceless! 8^D
Imagine the neighborhood gossip.
"I saw Mrs. Ackerman throwing away recyclables."
view btoddster's profile