West 130 Apartments on Track to Earn LEED Status

The West 130 luxury apartment complex has not only improved the look of West Hempstead, but it's also helping the environment and serving as a model for other mutl-family dwellings.

Mill Creek Residential, the developer of the 150-unit transit-oriented community in West Hempstead, and Metro 303, a similar luxury apartment complex in Hempstead, announced this week that both developments are on target to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) For Homes Gold Certification. This certification would make the two communities the first on Long Island to be LEED for Homes Gold certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.

West 130, which sits on the former site of the infamous Courtesy Hotel, and Metro 303 were both thoughtfully designed and constructed to minimize their ecological footprint in five key areas of human and environmental health: site development; water savings and efficiency; energy efficiency; construction materials and resources; and indoor air quality.

For instance, both communities are smoke-free, and are within easy walking disance to mass transit options. (West 130 residents are only steps away from the West Hempstead LIRR train station, allowing them to commute into New York City’s Penn Station within 50 minutes.) They are equipped with electric car charging stations, EnergyStar refrigerators, dishwashers, washers and ventilation fans, and have high efficiency air filtration systems for superior indoor air quality and high reflectivity roof material to reduce energy needs. The landscaping in both developments also uses drought-resistant and indigenous plants. These are just some examples of the sustainable elements that contribute to their LEED Gold status.

“We are excited to deliver the first multifamily developments designed to meet the energy standards set by the LEED rating system,” says Maria Rigopoulos, Managing Director for MCRT. “Our decision to make the additional investment in ‘green’ building was driven by the opportunity to provide more sustainable living environments for our residents and energy savings through efficient appliances and building systems.”

The four-story West 130, which opened for leasing in late November, features a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury apartments with private underground garage parking for residents. The new development was awarded a Smart Growth award in 2009 by Vision Long Island for its role in revitalizing the West Hempstead neighborhood. Mill Creek purchased the property after community members fought tirelessly to shut down the crime-infested Courtesy Hotel that had stood on this site.

“I congratulate Mill Creek on its effort to construct LEED-certified buildings at West 130, the state-of-the-art luxury apartment complex in the community of West Hempstead,” Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray said. “Mill Creek’s focus on planet-friendly construction goes hand-in-hand with Hempstead Town’s ongoing clean energy initiatives. In creating the groundbreaking transit-oriented development zone, it is clear that Hempstead Town is focused on smart growth and energy conservation principles. I am truly excited at the prospect of residents stepping out of their energy efficient apartments on board an environmentally friendly commuter train.”

Metro 303, which is within easy walking distance to the Country Life Press LIRR station and the multi-modal Hempstead LIRR and bus terminal, features a total of 166 upscale rental residences that offer a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts within a four-story building with two levels of enclosed private parking for residents. It was recently honored with the 2012 Award for Housing Choices by Vision Long Island in recognition of its role in furthering the diversification of much-needed housing options on Long Island.

“Now that we have begun our transformative downtown revitalization project, it is important to encourage residential and commercial growth throughout the Village of Hempstead,” said Mayor Wayne J. Hall Sr. “The Metro 303 Project is an excellent example of this kind of growth being conducted in an environmentally friendly manner.”

Apartment homes at Metro 303 and West 130 feature modern upscale kitchens. Both communities also offer numerous on-site amenities, including a lounge with fireplace, game area, Wi-Fi, and multiple flat screen televisions, an outdoor pool and sun deck, a fitness studio with cardio theater, and beautifully landscaped courtyards including fountains and outdoor fireside seating. 

For leasing information or to learn more about West 130, visit West130.com or call 516-292-8400. For Metro 303, visit Metro303.com or call 877-789-5434.