By: Deborah Johnson Wood
When developer Doug Harjer uses the term 'green' to describe his VidaNova condominiums he's not just tossing out catchphrases. The first 16 of 44 planned condos units are underway at Edison Landing in downtown Muskegon and solar-powered illuminated house numbers are but a small detail of a much larger energy efficiency endeavor.
"We had an energy audit done," Harjer says, “and it was determined that because of our tight envelope and 1,700 square feet per condo it will cost a homeowner only about $410 a year for heating and $120 for air conditioning.”
Other energy savers include LiveRoof pre-grown roofs atop each condo; EnergyStar appliances and light fixtures; an energy recovery ventilation system in the bathrooms and kitchen that exchanges warmed or cooled air (depending on the season) to remove odors and moisture; and garage exhaust fans that run automatically when the garage door is closed and eliminate potential carbon monoxide buildup.
Each condo is two stories with upper and lower balconies, with 1,000 square feet on the main floor and 700 square feet upstairs. Each residence sits on the shore of Muskegon Lake overlooking a public boardwalk. Several floor plans are available. Condo prices run from $350,000 to $375,000 each. Forty boat slips will be available for purchase this summer for $30,000 apiece.
"One guy stopped by an open house and he was inquiring about keeping his seaplane at the docks," Harjer says. "I believe that Muskegon is really on the verge of making the turn that’s been promised for so long."
The condo model, which has received Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, is open for visitors.
Source: Doug Harjer, Douglas L. Harjer, Inc.
Photos:
The garden rooftop
Waterfront elevation
Photographs of VidaNova by Brian Kelly
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Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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