The NGBS-Bronze project features a long list of high-performance products and technologies, including low-VOC paints, recycled-content flooring, low-flow plumbing fixtures, 96% efficient Lochinvar hot water heaters, daylighting sensors, and programmable thermostats. Tenants pay for their own utilities and each unit has its own gas, water, and electric meters, a move that the developer hopes will lead to greater conservation. “Village Green really tried to get out the message that each person is in control of their own energy and water use,” Naylor says. “Studies have shown that when this is the case, people conserve more.”

A favorite feature for many tenants is the 24,500-square-foot courtyard space with sunken rock gardens, private cabanas, and water features. It also acts as a stormwater reservoir, with a large culvert that filters and stores runoff until it flows into the storm sewer.

In order to appeal to a range of clients, the building offers more than 30 different floor plans from 500 to 1,400 square feet. To enhance flexibilty, many units have modular features such as mobile granite islands and bedrooms that can be set off from living spaces with oversized sliding glass doors or translucent glass panels. Monthly rent runs from about $1,000 for a studio to $2,600 for a penthouse, Balsis says.

While the building’s green credentials set it apart from typical multifamily housing, much of the project’s sustainable success is rooted in its location, which helped earn 25% of the building’s 280 NGBS points for its high-density infill plan with convenient access to public transportation and proximity to offices, shops, and restaurants. According to Camp, demand for close-in living is driving a resurgence of projects centered around mass transit.

“We’re not designing projects for the suburbs anymore,” Camp says. “Our clients are focused on urban infill because of the growing demand by people who want to live downtown.”

Name: Mill District City Apartments, Minneapolis
Size: 240,000 square feet, 175 units
Construction Cost: $32 million
Completed: February 2011
Certification: National Green Building Standard-Bronze
Builder: Frana Companies, Hopkins, Minn.
Architect: BKV Group, Minneapolis
Developer: Village Green, Minneapolis

Kelly Naylor and Gretchen Camp’s combined 27 years of experience designing buildings in urban settings was put to the test with the Mill District City Apartments, a project surrounded by luxury residences and grand institutions. “A huge issue was fitting into the context, as the lot is surrounded by important, well-designed buildings,” Naylor notes.

The pair chose a subtly modern design, with warm, neutral-colored materials that meld with the classic look of neighboring structures. The five-story building features two brick-and-stone wings that contrast with the middle wing, which holds the main entrance. Clad in glass and silver metal and with a functional yet abstract arrangement of bays, balconies, and canopies, this middle link generates a modern identity while still respecting the historic setting.

BKV’s concern for the neighborhood’s character helped reassure residents of neighboring buildings, including million-dollar-plus condominiums across the street. Early on, the pair attended multiple neighborhood association meetings to help allay fears that the project would turn out to look like a cookie-cutter rental property.

They saved the design splash for inside: The building’s understated exterior hides a vibrant, funky interior. “The color and excitement and wow is in the inside of the building,” Naylor says. “From the street you can see it just a bit.”