Emerald city

When we called some major Chicago apartment-finding agencies with an eco-conscious query—“Do you work with any green buildings?”—the response went something like this: “Uhhh…[long pause]…we never get asked that question.” But after the initial confusion, we were ultimately routed to staffers who had some green knowledge and suggestions. It turns out there are green residential buildings and housing developments in Chicago—and plenty more on the horizon.

The Apartment People (51 W Huron St, 312-335-8802) told us about a green rental building in the Loop (MDA Chicago City Apartments, see right). MetroPro Realty (5307 S Hyde Park Blvd, 773-667-1000) gave us leads on a new eco-conscious housing development under construction in Evanston that will use geothermal energy (a system of below-ground pipes that draws heat from the ground)(847-471-9141, churchstvillage.com)and a green house in Bronzeville with heavily insulated walls and roof, solar panels, and native plants and shrubs (44th St and Vincennes Ave). This house is part of the Housing Department’s “City Lots for City Living” program, which builds affordable housing for low-income families. IIT architecture students are building it, to be sold for $300,000 by lottery this fall. To enter the lottery, call 773-285-1685. You’ll have  until Aug 24 to submit loan preapproval papers, and a winner will be selected at random on Sept 4.

Many of these green buildings take environmental measures such as using low-VOC paint, but the best of the bunch are working toward Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Spaces that are LEED-certified must pass a rigorous review by the Green Building Council and use energy-efficient design strategies (like solar power and insulation) and eco-friendly materials throughout (like recycled wood floors, carpeting and fabrics).

The moral of this story? You don’t have to go all Al Gore on your broker, but she’s not going to tell you about green options unless you ask. If you’re looking to buy or rent sans real-estate agent, check out these buildings, all with units available.

BUY
340 on the Park
340 E Randolph St (312-540-9891, 340ontheparkchicago.com)
Water collected after each rainfall is reused to irrigate a lush, landscaped rooftop garden, and tinted, insulated glass controls the amount of heat gained and lost. Two-bedroom homes start at $681,000.

Clybourn Point
1322 N Clybourn Ave (312-856-1970, clybournpoint.com)
Construction was just completed on this six-unit River North condo building. It uses photovoltaic cells (a way to collect solar energy), has a garden covering 75 percent of the roof, and uses recycled materials throughout the units and common spaces. Three-bedroom homes start at $549,000.

RENT
MDA Chicago City Apartments
63 E Lake St (877-716-6707, villagegreen.com)
As the first rental building in the city seeking LEED certification, this is a special spot. Units are outfitted with Energy Star appliances, bamboo floors and recycled carpet padding. Studio rentals start at $1,165 a month. (See “Green house effect” page 16, for more info.)

COMING SOON…
Emerald Chicago
120 S Halsted St (312-226-0555, emeraldchicago.com)
This South Loop condo building is seeking LEED certification and will be completed by spring 2008. Look for bamboo flooring, low-VOC paint and fabrics made from recycled fiber. (Even the marketing materials are printed on recycled paper with soy ink.) One-bedroom homes start at $273,000.

Lexington Park Condos
2138 S Indiana Ave (312-842-2202, lexingtonparkcondos.com)
Nifty features like a trash chute designed to sort and recycle garbage should help this building earn LEED certification. Plus, extra windows throughout the building reduce the need for electrical lighting during the day. Units will be move-in ready in summer 2008, and one-bedroom homes start at $200,000.