NEW YORK —The first green building on Murray Hill in Midtown Manhattan showcases bamboo, not only with a delicate grove of the plants in the lobby, but also in floors and furnishings. It’s just one of the stylish yet practical touches that distinguish 303 E 33rd, which will have 128 units on 12 floors when finished late this year or early 2010.
Why bamboo? “We chose bamboo because it is a ‘green’ material that happens to be the fastest-growing plant on Earth; therefore it can be continuously re-harvested every three years without causing damage to the surrounding environment, while preserving the natural hardwood forests and rainforests.” said Richard Cantor, principal of Cantor Pecorella, Inc., and Director of Marketing and Sales for 303 E. 33rd.
Energy Conscious
Besides bamboo, green building materials include recycled glass for countertops, bathroom tiles, refrigerators, and windows, and recycled materials wall insulation and exteriors. Floor-to-ceiling windows on the 7th through 12th floors allows ample amounts of sunlight, thus reducing energy costs for lighting. According to the developers, green materials cost 3 to 5 percent more than regular construction materials, but they put the building in step with the Big Apple’s current green campaign.
The rooftop is a place to play bocce, barbecue, and lounge by a reflecting pool. The rooftop garden is green in more ways than one—it has a variety of plants that helps to reduce heat, promote summer cooling, and insulate the building.
Fine Views and Amenities
303 is located at the corner of 33rd Street and 2nd Avenue, within a short walk to the East River Esplanade, the United Nations, and the First Avenue’s medical research corridor.
The 128 units range from studios and one-bedroom homes in a plethora of layouts to three-bedroom, two-bathroom duplexes with home offices and walk-out terraces. There are also two triplex penthouses with private terraces. Prices are $550,000 to $4.5 million dollars.
