Eco Lofts

The Eco-Lofts are being dubbed Atlanta's first-ever eco-friendly condominium development. Located in Chamblee (just outside Atlanta), Eco-Lofts will feature loft-style condos that range from the 200's to the $500's. The building qualifies as EarthCraft, which is a local green building program that is similar to LEED.

As for being powered by wind energy, you won't find any turbines located on the property. The developers, 3400 Partners, purchased 1 year's worth of wind power credits from Sterling Planet, an Atlanta-based renewable energy credit trader, after they had estimated the building's total electrical consumption over a 12-month period. Residents still get billed from Georgia Power; however, every kilowatt of electricity used is being pumped back onto the grid by a renewable source generated somewhere else. Residents pay a bit of a premium for the renewable energy credits but as of the beginning of the year, most of the units had been pre-sold...so it looks like the credits aren't scaring people away.

Eco Lofts, located in the heart of Chamblee, inside the Perimeter and adjacent to MARTA, features 125 loft-style condominium homes priced from the low $200s to $500s. Construction on phase one, Eco Lofts South, begins in March. The 100 percent wind-powered energy development features a large swimming pool, fitness center and covered parking garage.

Homes at the gated Eco Lofts community include large private balconies, private master bedroom, high glass window walls, 11-foot ceilings, hardwood floors, contemporary loft lighting fixtures, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops in kitchen and bath, large tubs and showers, huge walk-in closets, pre-wired for security systems, sound abatement insulation in walls, programmable digital thermostats for optimum energy efficiency and energy efficient electric heating.