In February, the team at Common opened Mily on Green, a 9 floor, 108 unit home in Spring Garden. The home is our first in Philadelphia to offer renters 2- and 3-bedroom apartments, and features a host of amenities, from a coworking space to a children’s play area. Mily on Green is stunning — from its beautiful, refined finishes to the cozy and sophisticated furniture that you’ll find in the shared lounge. But beyond being beautiful, Mily on Green also offers renters the opportunity to make a positive impact on their own wellbeing and the planet’s.
Mily on Green is a LEED Gold certified home under the LEED v4 for New Construction Rating System. You might have heard this terminology before, but if you aren’t familiar, LEED is an acronym for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.” This rating system is the internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings, and we’re thrilled to offer Philadelphia renters a home that meets these standards.
But how exactly does Mily on Green promote positive impacts on the environment and human health? What does this look like in practice, and how can you make the most of the building’s unique features? Keep reading to find out.
Energy efficient
Mily on Green was built to be energy efficient across as many levels as possible. The home features a high performance variable refrigerant flow heating and cooling system, which saves energy by simultaneously heating and cooling a home through energy re-absorption.
In your unit, you’ll also find high efficiency LED lighting and ENERGY STAR labeled appliances. To receive an ENERGY STAR label, an appliance must meet the standards of the EPA and the Department of Energy. In addition, Mily on Green was also built with additional insulation in the walls and roofing, so your unit stays warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
Our partners at Mily on Green, Elk Street Management, anticipate that these differences will amount to 21% energy cost savings for residents compared to other new construction buildings. But that’s not all: these features also reduce the greenhouse gas emissions residents generate in everyday life and improves the air quality of the home.
Improved air quality
Are you someone who loves that “new car smell” or the smell of a freshly painted room in your apartment? We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that smell is actually the result of volatile organic compounds (commonly known as VOCs), an indoor air contaminant. We’re all exposed to VOCs in our life, but over time, a high concentration of them can cause a myriad of health problems, from headaches to chronic diseases.
Mily on Green uses high quality, superior finishes across various spaces and places in the home to reduce the level of VOCs, including flooring, paint, insulation, adhesives, sealants, and coatings. While these finishes aren’t 100% VOC free, they have a much lower level of contaminants than you’ll find in other new construction buildings.
To lower VOC emissions in your own home (maybe your new apartment at Mily on Green?) consider purchasing furniture with a Greenguard certification.
Water conservation
Remember those in-unit ENERGY STAR appliances that save on energy costs? At Mily on Green, in-unit dishwashers and clothes washing machines are ENERGY STAR labeled for improved water efficiency too. In the home’s restrooms, you’ll also find low-flow plumbing fixtures. These fixtures reduce the amount of water needed for everyday tasks like washing your hands, taking a shower, or flushing the toilet.
But don’t worry, low flow doesn’t mean low water pressure. Shower head manufacturers have created technology that uses less water without reducing the quality of your shower. And it all pays off: in one year, low-flow plumbing fixtures can save over 2 million gallons of potable (drinkable) water, which protects drinking water resources for surrounding communities.
Earth friendly amenities
Mily on Green’s commitment to sustainability also extends to the home’s amenities. If you were to take a bird’s eye view of our new home, you’d notice 9,7000 square feet of vegetated roofing, otherwise known as a green roof. When complete, this green roof (which features comfy lounge furniture and is attached to a sunny coworking space) will be home to a variety of stonecrop and native plants, special draining systems, and growing media.
Not only does this green roof offer a peaceful place to relax or gather with friends, but it also provides a wildlife habitat for a variety of birds, bees, and butterflies. The roof is water efficient, too. A drip irrigation system keeps plants hydrated during dry and windy periods, and uses 92% less water than a traditional system.
Mily on Green also encourages more sustainable modes of transportation. Located at 545 N Broad Street in Spring Garden, residents have access to a highly walkable neighborhood and are only minutes away from the Spring Garden Septa station. The area is also bike friendly, and Mily on Green offers residents bike storage, a must have in a city apartment. For those who prefer to drive, Mily on Green features below-ground parking and electric vehicle charging.
Make Mily on Green your home
If you’re looking to live sustainably, how you live and where you live matter. We’re excited to offer renters in Philadelphia a home that makes sustainable living easier, and makes a positive impact on the planet and the wellbeing of our members. Mily on Green is now leasing 2- and 3-bedroom apartments starting at $2,300/month, with 1 month off a 12-18 month lease! Take an inside look at the home on our website, and book a tour today.
Sources
- VRF HVAC System Basics, https://www.rasmech.com/blog/vrf-hvac-system/
- UL Greenguard Certification, https://www.ul.com/resources/ul-greenguard-certification-program
- 5 Things to Know About Low Flow Faucets, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/low-flow-faucets/