Becker+Becker, a Fairfield-based design and development firm, today announced that residential leasing has begun at 360 State Street, a new 32-story mixed-use tower located in the heart of downtown New Haven. The building has been garnering attention and winning praise as a model for sustainable, environmentally-friendly design.

"With 360 State Street, we have transformed a long-vacant site into the greenest new structure in the state," said Bruce Becker, president of Becker+Becker. "From our use of recycled stone for countertops, to thermostats that know when you're home, to a pool heated with a fuel cell and elevators that recapture their own energy, the building is designed with half the carbon footprint of a conventional apartment building.

And the energy savings will be passed onto our tenants through lower utility bills." 360 State Street is Connecticut's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum residential project. In a letter certifying 360 State Street's designation, S. Richard Fedrizzi, who heads the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), noted that Becker+Becker's work on the project had earned it "a place among the finest developments incorporating the principles of smart growth, urbanism, and green design." Becker recently led state and federal officials through 360 State Street in a group headed by U.S. Senator Chris Dodd, who chose the project to promote his Livable Communities Act. The landmark bill will help communities cut traffic congestion, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and gasoline consumption, revitalize Main Streets and urban centers, and create more affordable housing. Accompanied by Deputy HUD Secretary Ron Sims and other officials, Sen. Dodd toured the building, and then spoke at the leasing office across the street.

"Through projects like this one here at 360 State Street," Dodd said, "regions can keep their young people, attract new knowledge workers, put existing residents back to work, and accommodate the baby boomer generation as they enter retirement." Speaking after Dodd, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano echoed the senator's enthusiasm. "By every measure 360 State Street exemplifies President Obama's concept of a partnership for sustainable communities." 360 State Street comprises 500 apartments atop 22,000 square feet of retail and a four-level public parking structure. Located directly across from the State Street Metro North train station, a half-mile from the Union Station Metro North station -- and with a Zipcar sharing program in the parking garage -- it is a transit-oriented residential development designed for those eager to have cars handy but minimize their use. New Haven Green is one block to the west, and Yale University, Yale New Haven Hospital and other downtown employers are within easy walking distance -- as are hundreds of restaurants, shops, galleries, museums and clubs.

The 500 luxury apartments at 360 State are a mix of studio, one and two-bedrooms, and three-bedroom penthouses. All feature open floor plans, Energy Star® appliances, stone countertops, stainless steel appliances, ample closet space and a full-sized washer and dryer. Oversized windows maximize views over the city and Long Island Sound. The residence contains more than 36,000 square feet of community amenities, including 24/7 front desk and concierge services, resident lounge and game room with billiards, spacious fitness center including private yoga studio, business center with Apple&Reg; computers and meeting rooms, expansive rooftop garden and lawn, heated outdoor pool and sundeck, and Wi-Fi access in all common areas.

Potential residents concerned about the energy and environmental costs of such luxury need not worry: 360 State Street will be the most eco-friendly mixed-use development in Connecticut.

"We set out to show how people can live large while leaving a smaller energy footprint," explains Bruce Becker. When the building is up and running, Becker notes, it will have one-half the carbon footprint of a comparable code-compliant apartment building in Connecticut. "Senator Dodd's legislation makes clear that only by changing our pattern of development can we find a more environmentally and socially sustainable way to build and to live. From the start this has been the guiding principle of 360 State." Key green design features include: a half-acre, irrigated green roof; bike storage; electric car charging stations and Zipcar fleet car-sharing program; recovery of waste heat; high-efficiency lighting and occupancy sensors; on-site 400-kilowatt fuel cell to provide clean renewable power, the first of its kind in the country; elevators that recapture their own energy; low flow water fixtures; low-VOC paint; carpet made from recycled fibers; high-performance insulated windows; and a recycling room on each floor.

[Note: The 360 State Street leasing office is currently open at 804 Chapel Street, directly across the street from the building, www.360statestreet.com. Becker+Becker is a full service green architecture, planning, historic preservation and real estate development firm, beckerandbecker.]

Published: March 24, 2010

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Peter L. Mosca is president and founder of BAK Communications, Inc. He has over 22 years of communications and media consulting experience, serving a variety of nonprofit organizations, including the CCIM Institute and the REALTOR Association on all three levels – national, state and local. He is the Spokesperson Trainer for the CCIM's Jay Levine Academy and trains hundreds of residential REALTORS nationwide to be effective industry spokespeople. He is consistently ranked as "excellent" by about 90% of those who attend his presentations. While his principal consulting focuses are public speaking and media relations development and content delivery and management, Peter is also the host of the Voice America Network's weekly radio program, "Income Property Investment Talk," a one-hour program that brings the powerhouses of commercial and residential real estate to property investors every Wednesday at 11 a.m. EST. Peter is married 17 years to his wife Barbara. They have two children: Ashley, 15 and Kelli, 12. Hence, the name BAK Communications, Inc.