Solera Project Updates

The Solera project opening is a date that’s fast approaching. We are excited to share the following dates and upcoming events with you.

Construction Tour
Our next building tour will be held on Friday, April 23 at 3pm. Please respond to this email to reserve your space on our construction tour and participate in our sustainability presentation.

Solera Leasing Office
The Solera leasing office will be open for business on May 1st! The leasing office will be located less than one block from the building at 2040 Lawrence Street. Starting on May 1st drop by our office to speak directly to leasing staff, obtain building leasing materials and learn more about the Solera project.

Model Unit
Solera’s model unit will be open for visits on May 1st. The model unit will be located directly in the building - we encourage folks to come out and see firsthand the unit finishes and construction quality. Tours of the model unit will be scheduled through the leasing office.

Building Website
The Solera building website will be launched April 26! Please plan to visit www.soleraliving.com to be one of the first to check out our building website and see our unit floor plans and pricing.

Occupancy
Unit occupancy will begin on third and fourth floors starting in the month of July. Occupancy on the rest of the floors will follow on a floor-by-floor basis as they are finished. We encourage folks to contact the leasing office starting May 1st to learn more about our construction schedule and building completion.

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Construction Update: March 12, 2010

Solera Construction Tour: Friday, March 19 at 3pm. Join us for a green building presentation and a walking tour of the building. Please send us an email to reserve your space.

The building’s exterior metal panel siding and stucco are currently being installed. The high roof insulation and full roofing membrane are being installed. The building is now enclosed and fully weather proofed on the 3rd and 4th floors with dry wall in those units underway now underway. Transition from temporary power to the building’s permanent power is occurring. The tower crane has been removed and the penetrations where the crane had been have now been filled – making the building nearly fully weather-tight.

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Apartment Trends: Lobby for A Good Cause

If the exterior of a building is like the cover of a book, then the lobby is the introduction/table of contents. It tells you what to expect, sets the tone, and helps you decide whether you want to read further. A well-designed lobby can make a positive first impression and communicate the value of the development, while creating a functional common space. Lately more and more apartment/condo developers are paying close attention to the lobby as a key component to the overall building’s design and personality.

Solera’s lobby design was inspired by the feel of a hotel or coffee shop, meant to draw people in and make them feel welcome. The lobby will include a comfortable seating area and “Mac bar” with four Mac computers at stationary desks to encourage surfing and lobby socializing. A complimentary coffee/tea service, managed by the leasing office, will occupy a central location in the room.

To prevent the common folly of outdated design, finishes will feature a mature color palette rather than a trendy one to create an enduring feel. The message of sustainability will continue through the lobby in the selection of finishes. In this way, the lobby is an extension of the apartments themselves and showcases what to expect in each home.

Rather than hiding building staff from tenants, as is typical in rental lobbies, Solera’s management and leasing staff will be immediately available at the front desk located in the lobby. This desk will function as a "concierge-type" desk staffed to provide increased service to tenants, such as holding packages, dry cleaning, and managing all maintenance and leasing services.

Of course form must follow function in an important space such as this. Tenants can access mailboxes directly across from the elevators. In addition to open seating areas, a ground floor conference room can be reserved for tenant private use. This space will enable tenants to hold professional meetings or private gatherings, ideal for the tele-commuter or the active community member. A small kitchen will also be located in the lobby for use by tenants and social functions the leasing staff organizes.

From the first step inside, apartment/condo buildings should catch your attention and give you a taste of what the homes have to offer. When done correctly, the lobby can create opportunities for socializing, emphasize the benefits of community living, and make tenants and guests feel welcome and involved. We plan for Solera’s entryway to do just that.

Once the “introduction” has caught your eye, you’ll be much more likely to see where it goes from there. It might be a novel idea, but without a doubt, intentional lobbies are the newest trend.

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The LEED Process: Design and Construction Credit Submissions

For a construction project to obtain LEED certification at any of the four levels (Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum) two important steps are required: Design Credit Submission and Construction Credit Submission.

These two submission steps occur at distinct moments in a project’s construction period:

• Design Credit Submission - After design is complete and construction started
  
• Construction Credit Submission - After construction is finished

At each of these stages, the project team submits the credits that pertain to each stage to LEED-Online; the USGBC web-based credit management tool.

The Solera project – now under construction for one year – recently completed its Design Credit Submission. The following credits were included in this submission:

Sustainable Sites Credits:
SS 1: Site Selection
SS 2: Development
SS 4.1: Alternative Transportation, Public Access
SS 4.2: Alternative Transportation, Bike Storage
SS 4.3: Alternative Transportation, Low Emitting Vehicles
SS 4.4: Alternative Transportation, Parking Capacity
SS 7.1: Heat Island Effect, Non-Roof
SS 7.2: Heat Island Effect, Roof

Water Efficiency Credits:
WE 1.1: Water Efficient Landscaping, Reduce 50%
WE 1.2: Water Efficient Landscaping, No Potable
WE 3.1 & 3.2: Water Use Reduction, 20% & 30%

Energy and Atmosphere:
EA Pre-req 2: Minimum Energy Performance
EA Pre-req 3: Fundamental Refrigerant Management
EA 1: Optimize Energy Performance

Materials and Resources:
MR Pre-req 1: Storage & Collection of Recyclables

Indoor Environmental Quality:
Pre-req 1: Minimum IAQ Performance
EQ 6.1: Controllability of Systems: Lighting
EQ 6.2: Controllability of Systems: Thermal Control
EQ 7.1: Thermal Comfort: Design
EQ 8.1: Daylighting & Views: 75% of Spaces

In addition to the above standard Design Credits, the Solera team also submitted four Innovation in Design credits.

The GBCI, the Green Building Certification Institute, is currently reviewing Solera’s Design Credit Submission. The GBCI is the third-party entity that USGBC created to review all LEED applications. Ideally all credits that the Solera team submitted will be accepted. However, in the event that any credits are denied, the Solera team will have the ability to make additions and/or edits to the submission to ensure that the Solera project achieves all 28 Design Credits.

Solera anticipates completing the Construction Credit Submission in August or September 2010, after construction is complete and building operations are underway.

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Construction Update: February 5, 2010

Picture of fully topped out Solera building. Plastic tarp currently covers building exterior to protect scaffold plates from snow and to retain building heat. Exterior framing is now complete on all floors and interior framing is complete up to the 10th floor. Windows are installed up to the 8th floor.

Picture of south building façade of masonry base with residential floors above.

Tyvek is currently being installed to function as building’s vapor barrier. Installation of the permanent building elevators has started; an 8 week process.

Construction of Solera’s structural steel architectural element that runs up the corner of the façade is currently underway.

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LoDo and Ballpark Serving Up Some of Denver’s Best Restaurants

Our December blog focused on the many popular holiday events just minutes from Solera’s downtown apartments, but for Solera tenants, easy access to Denver hot spots is a year-round benefit.

The Mile High City boasts a flourishing restaurant scene, and Solera is lucky to be near many top eateries in Denver. We’ve compiled a list of stops you’ll want to hit up on a regular basis:

Snooze: 2262 Larimer St.

Winning Best Breakfast/Brunch in 5280 magazine for three consecutive years, Channel 7’s A-List in 2008 and 2009, and a Mayor’s Design Award in 2007, it’s no wonder that Snooze has created quite the buzz (and we don’t mean the sound of your alarm.) This A.M. eatery serves beautiful and flavorful breakfast fare, making each dish not only the most important meal of the day, but the most delicious as well. With hours from 6:30am-2:30pm Monday-Friday and 7:00am to 2:30pm Saturday and Sunday, you can either get your day going early or stroll in for a post sleep-in pancake. Either way, you’ll be welcomed by a fun, fresh atmosphere to kick your day off right.

Hi*Rise: 2162 Larimer St.

Another morning/early afternoon joint, Hi*Rise is a must-visit bakery, deli and café in the Ballpark neighborhood. The inclusive menu features everything from artisan breads, bagels and sandwiches to seasonal salads, sweet treats and locally roasted coffee. All of the breads, pastries, and sweets are made from scratch every day. And for those on a gluten-free regimen, Hi*Rise offers breads and sandwiches sans gluten to satisfy those needs. Open Monday through Saturday from 6:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday from 7:00am to 3:00pm, Hi*Rise is at your service for most of the day, and even delivers! We also hear they make a tasty cupcake, as proved by their two awards at Gabby Gourmet’s Cupcake testing and an award for Best Cupcake at the Taste of Colorado. Yum!

Marco's Coal Fired Pizza: 2129 Larimer St.

If you’re looking for service, style, and some of the best pizza you’ve ever had, Marco’s Coal Fired Pizza is the place to go. Winner of the Mayor’s Design Award for the category “Buildings that Beckon,” Marco’s creates a trattoria-style atmosphere that is both elegant and fun, with an attentive staff and exposed pizza kitchen so you can follow your order from the oven to the table. A 5280 favorite, Marco’s was awarded Top of the Town for the categories Top Pizza and Top Meatball Sandwich. They were also noted as one of 5280’s Best New Restaurants in 2008. Stop by Sunday through Thursday from 11:00am to 10:00pm or Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 11:00pm.

twelve restaurant: 2233 Larimer St.

An instant favorite among many, twelve restaurant (and yes, the lowercase is intentional) earned the Readers Choice award in Westword’s 2009 “Best of” under the categories Best New Restaurant and Best New American Restaurant. Serving dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30pm to 10:00pm, twelve features globally influenced and seasonally inspired cuisine with vegetarian and gluten-free options. Make sure to stop by often to see what’s new, because, as the name implies, twelve restaurant changes its menu monthly meaning twelve new and exciting dining experiences each year.

When the evening rolls around, it’s time to hit the downtown bars for happy hour or late night events. If you’re looking for an active party scene, you might hit up Market Street between 19th and 20th. Home of Lodo’s Bar and Grill, Giggling Grizzly, The Tavern Downtown, Theorie and Cowboy Lounge, this strip is full of life on the weekends. Lodo’s is open 7 days a week from 11:00am to 2:00am and always has events going on throughout the month, whether it’s Super Bowl parties, Keggs and Eggs or Brunch and Build your own Bloody Mary bars.

If you’re looking for a more laid back scene or maybe some live music, head over to Larimer St. between 20th and 21st. Check out Scruffy Murphy’s, Herb’s Hideout and the Ginn Mill after catching a show at the Marquis Theatre. The Denver Cruisers, a local bike club, meets at the Gin Mill every Wednesday night at 7:00pm in warm seasons to ride to the local bars with other Cruiser lovers and enjoy a low-key atmosphere. Scruffy Murphy’s also hosts nightly events such as Punk Rock Mondays, Geeks who Drink, open mic sessions and live music.

Other great (and close!) places to visit include the Great Divide Brewery for monthly events, Pacific Mercantile for authentic Asian grocery shopping, and Twentieth Street Café for a great meal morning, noon and night.

There are countless options nearby when living downtown, regardless of the time of day or mood you’re in. Grab pancakes, coffee, and pastries in the morning. Swing by for an award-winning meatball sandwich at lunch. Make reservations for a globally influenced meal at dinner. And then hit the bars to celebrate a long and successful day.

Solera encourages urban dwellers to support the local restaurants and shops within blocks of their homes and to take advantage of the places that give Denver its fantastic reputation.

From the options we’ve pointed out, it’ll be a job both fulfilling and filling.

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Indoor Air Quality: Take a deep breath; it may not be as clean as you thought.

Did you know that it is estimated that people spend up to 90% of their time indoors? Did you also know that the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that indoor pollutant levels may run two to five times higher than outdoor air?

These facts of course make the materials utilized in building construction and the mechanical systems that process indoor air essential to occupant health. Unfortunately, though, many buildings, new and old, do not pay enough attention to the quality of materials utilized or the cleanliness of building mechanical systems and their respective impacts on indoor air quality. Not surprisingly, it is estimated that 2% of all office workers suffer from some type of Sick Building Syndrome.

LEED-certified office buildings have been found to be a healthier work place, with decreased absenteeism and increased productivity. Though there aren’t nearly as many LEED-certified residential buildings as LEED office buildings, it’s likely that, in time, research will show that people are healthier and less often sick in LEED-certified homes, just as documented in LEED-certified office buildings.  

At Solera steps are being taken now, during construction, to protect the building’s indoor air quality. All air ducts being installed are covered and sealed to protect the mechanical system from construction debris and dust. When the mechanical system is used during construction, which will be kept to a minimum and will only occur in building corridors, high density filters will be used. These air filters will be replaced frequently and of course prior to move-in. Also steps are being taken during construction to reduce the production of air pollution by restricting idling vehicles, timing the installation of porous materials to protect them from air pollution and exhausting sources of indoor air pollution to
the exterior.

Did you know that that new car smell is actually bad for you? That’s because new car interiors are made of materials that are high in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are known for off-gassing irritants that are hazardous for occupant health. That’s why at Solera we’re selecting only healthy materials – that are low in VOC content - to ensure the indoor air of Solera is a high quality. Paints, sealants/adhesives, carpets and wood will all be made of little to no off-gassing VOC materials; a precaution that few other buildings take.

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