(Portland, Maine) – Portland is an innovative town supportive of movements towards sustainability, the environment, community and culture. Nowhere are these values more apparent in concrete form than at the LEED Platinum Oak Street Loft Apartments, located in downtown Portland.
As the first multi-family housing project in Maine to receive the prestigious LEED Platinum certification, the Oak Street Loft apartments focus on the creative culture of artists while embracing green living. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, with LEED Platinum as the highest designation available. To achieve such a high-standard the Oak Street Loft Apartments were held to rigorous standards while being built, and had to meet an expansive list of points to achieve LEED Platinum status.
To complete this project Avesta Housing partnered with Wright-Ryan Construction, a leader in green building in Maine. Features of the building contributing to the promotion of culture, community and green living in Maine include dedicated parking for alternative transportation, designated space for bicycles to encourage reduction of tenant’s carbon footprints, as well as solar collectors to help harvest natural energy and reduce utility costs. The building includes 37 efficiency apartments, which include heat, hot water, electricity and shared WiFi. Other amenities include a shared work space for residents and gallery space on the ground floor to encourage and promote artists. The area also includes a lounge and coffee area for tenants to converse. As well, the central location of the building off Congress Street is just steps from many local businesses and amenities. This proximity to the local community will encourage artists to build lives in Portland, as well as generate income for local small business owners. In essence, the Oak Street Loft Apartments were built for a community, to help the larger community, and to help lead the way for future environmentally sustainable multi-family housing projects.
For more information, contact: Allison Barton, abarton@www.wright-ryan.com, (207) 773-3625
