Eco-friendly design has become one of the most important elements for luxury home buyers today. Around the world, residents are growing more conscious of their impact on the environment and seeking out residences that put sustainability and protecting local flora and fauna at the forefront of their design plans. Developers and architects are responding to this demand by launching forward-thinking properties designed to reduce impact and seamlessly blend into nature, and they’re located everywhere from the oceanside and mountainous landscapes of Mexico to the urban lifestyles of Miami and New York City.
One&Only Mandarina Private Homes, Mexico (pictured - Image Credit: Rupert Peace)
With awe-inspiring vistas of lush mountainsides and the Pacific Ocean, secluded eco-designed villas and swimmable shores, Mandarina is a master-planned resort and residential community drawing the most discerning luxury buyers to Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit. The destination offers one of the world’s first collections of One&Only branded residences designed by acclaimed architect Rick Joy with contemporary style and sustainability in mind. With 55 four-, five-, six- and eight-bedroom residences, One&Only Mandarina Private Homes harmonize eloquently with the surrounding tropical landscape and feature the finest raw materials indigenous to the region, including clay, woods, precious metals and stone. They boast unique design elements such as private plunge pools, sprawling terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the natural surroundings, with pricing starting at $4.4 million. Owners enjoy the exclusive services and amenities at Mandarina resort, which include several restaurants, the KidsOnly Club and a world-class polo and equestrian club.
Charlotte of the Upper West Side, Manhattan
Believed to be the most sustainable condominium building ever built in New York City, Charlotte of the Upper West Side is a building inspired by—and designed for—an entire generation. Designed by the celebrated BKSK Architects and engineered to meet the exacting standards of the German-based Passive House Institute, the state-of-the-art building boosts its residents' health, wellbeing, safety, and comfort. Located at 470 Columbus and West 83rd Street, Charlotte of the Upper West Side brings seven striking and sustainably-designed full-floor residences to one of New York City’s most coveted neighborhoods. The building’s architects, engineers, and development team went to extraordinary lengths to pursue Passive House certification, which is known to reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling by up to 90 percent. Robust insulation and airtight seals minimize air leaks and drafts, keeping rooms consistently comfortable and quiet while significantly reducing energy consumption. Each residence also features its own state-of-the-art, Swiss-engineered energy recovery ventilation (ERV) system that delivers fresh filtered outside air to each room of the home, consistently exchanging stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air. In addition to these sustainability features, each home features four bedrooms with ensuite baths, including a separate master bedroom wing as well as generous 20 x 47-foot kitchen-living-dining-room with operable floor-to-ceiling windows. Henrybuilt, the leading luxury, custom cabinetry maker, designed the bespoke kitchens, combining refined, timeless style with superior functionality. Residences at Charlotte of the Upper West Side start at $10.74 million.
Fairmont Residences Mayakoba, Mexico
Situated amidst lush greenery, lagoons and fairways, Fairmont Residences Mayakoba offers a collection of boutique buildings comprising three-bedroom residences and three- to four- bedroom penthouses, with pricing starting at $1.4 million for full ownership and $219,000 for co-ownership. Designed with expansive floor plans, double-height ceilings and seamless indoor-outdoor integration, the homes offer newly reimagined interiors by Room 1804, with finishes including hand-crafted natural stone, tile and wood accents. Residents enjoy absolute privacy and exclusivity, paired with the remarkable services and amenities of the Mayakoba resort, including a scuba dive school, water sports center and several beach clubs designed to preserve and enhance the native landscape. Owners can even join in local conservation efforts at the Mayakoba Turtle Camp. Mayakoba goes to great lengths to protect the surrounding nature, mangroves and wildlife habitats through careful land planning and the preservation of open space -- the community is the first destination in Quintana Roo and the fourth in Mexico to be awarded Mexico’s highest level certification in environmental performance for Sustainable and Responsible Tourism Development.
The Perigon, Miami Beach
Targeting LEED Gold certification on the sands of Miami Beach is The Perigon, the city’s newest architectural marvel promising to transform its quiet enclave between the Atlantic Ocean and Indian Creek into a European-inspired riviera. The tower is designed by the best and brightest stars out of Europe, including OMA, the firm led by Rem Koolhaas, Tara Bernerd, the interior design darling famed for her work with hotels and yachts, and Gustafson Porter+Bowman, the London landscape architects known for envisioning the grounds of the Eiffel Tower and the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain. Not only is the new development elevating ultra-luxury lifestyle in the market, but it’s also integrating seamlessly into the environment with many sustainable design elements, such as electric vehicle charging spaces. You can get a sense of the development and its idyllic coastal setting here (Credit Binyan Studios). There are 82 residences at the building, with pricing starting at $4 million. Amenities include a resident-only oceanfront restaurant, speakeasy-style bar and conservatory with a daily breakfast bar, as well as a full slate of resort-style spaces.
