Capping a yearlong effort to ensure efficiency and sustainability in planning, construction and operation, Alta Aspen Grove apartment community received LEED-Silver certification during a ceremony in early September.
The 280-unit luxury apartment complex officially opened its doors in mid-June in Littleton, Colo., just west of Denver.
Located on 17.5 acres at 7317 South Platte River Parkway, Alta Aspen Grove is adjacent to a nature preserve, a bicycle greenway path and a light rail station, and immediately adjacent to the upscale Aspen Grove Shopping Center. The gated, garden-style community of two- and three-story buildings offers one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans ranging from 695 to 1,491 sq ft.
High-end amenities include granite countertops in kitchen and baths, washer and dryer, double-sided gas fireplaces in select homes, private patios and balconies, nine-ft ceilings and crown molding, walk-in closets and a resort-style pool with outdoor fireplace and lounge.
The clubhouse features a double-sided fireplace, a game room with pool table and plasma televisions, a Cyber Café and business center outfitted with computer terminals, a wi-fi, printer, chairs with swing-out laptop platforms, printer and a full kitchen with range, oven, ice machine and a Starbucks coffee dispenser. The fitness center, accessible to residents 24 hours, features state-of-the-art cardio machines with individual TV monitors, iPod docks and USB ports, universal machines, free weights and exercise balls.
Deb Kleinman, executive director of the U.S. Green Building Council Colorado, presented the certification to the developer, Wood Partners Director Tim McEntee. Alta Aspen Grove is the first market rate apartment community of stick-frame construction in Colorado to be certified under LEED for Homes. “This is a groundbreaking project in Colorado. Colorado is a leader in sustainability and green building and those of you who participated in this project can be proud you’re leading the way,” said Kleinman. “I’m so impressed with Wood Partners’ commitment to green building. A company of your scale really has an impact on the market, so we’re pleased you have a strong presence in Colorado.”
Littleton Mayor Doug Clark praised the project’s sensitivity to its location, which abuts the 885-acre South Platte Park. “We consider that park to be the jewel of the South Metro area. The citizens of Littleton are very proud and protective of it; it’s only fitting that these apartments right on the edge of South Platte Park should be the first apartment community in the state to be certified as (LEED for Homes),” said Clark. “We commend Wood Partners for their commitment to the environment and for the good building practices and welcome them into the community.”
McEntee, whose involvement with the Alta Aspen Grove site stretches back a dozen years, said the development process had “been one of the most enjoyable associations and collaborative efforts I’ve had in my career.
“But it wasn’t an easy effort. It’s a very sensitive, beautiful location. You can imagine between the park preserve, the neighbors and an active regional mall (the community is adjacent to the Aspen Grove shopping center) there were a lot of issues but the city was really top shelf,” he said.
The complex was designed by Womack+Hampton Architects, Dallas, and built by Colorado Structures Inc., Denver, with urban and landscape design by Consilium Design Inc. of Centennial. and a multifamily real estate firm that also developed Glass House in Denver.
The Alta Aspen Grove is the first new luxury apartment community to open this year in the Denver metro area. It has been almost two years since a similar project was introduced in Littleton, back in July 2009.
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