I visited the Riverside Mews Condominium project on Pittsburgh's South Side a few weeks ago. These LEED certified, high-end condos being built by Sota Construction show exactly how beautiful and high-quality a green home can be. The first thing you notice about the project is the modern geometric styling that incorporates outdoor space in every home. Plans call for a total of 48 units to be built between 18th and 19th Street on Pittsburgh’s South Side.
The homes were voted Best Green / Energy Efficient Homes under 500K by the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh in 2008. And rightfully so, they incorporate the latest energy-efficient building techniques and materials, as well as amazing luxury finishes. Low-VOC paint 
throughout, bamboo floors, sustainable produced ceramic tile in the spa-like bathrooms, granite countertops and stainless ENERGY STAR appliances are all standard.
To get maximum energy-efficiency the homes are insulated with Bio-spray foam, which both seals and insulates all exterior walls, and wool batting between the units to insulate from the neighbors. High-efficiency heat pumps, sealed ductwork and tankless water heaters are standard on all units. Even the driveway is made of recycled cobblestone that was found on site and repurposed as pavers. The aggregate in the concrete was once at the bottom of the rivers, before it was dredged and used to form concrete block for the project, and the metal work was fabricated locally from recycled 
aluminum.
Their new model is a showpiece of green and sustainable design, but the most unique unit is the planned zero-energy home which is heated by a geo-thermal heat pump and lit throughout with LED lighting. All the condos are, or will be, ENERGY STAR labeled with HERS ratings in the mid 50’s all the way down to the 20’s.
Riverside Mews also benefits from a great central location (A walk score of 95 out of 100) with an easy commute to downtown or Oakland by bike or on foot. Plus with all the Southside restaurants, clubs and shopping it will be easy to leave your car parked.
Want to see Riverside Mews for yourself? Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, your certified green agent and RE/MAX green specialist at 724-933-6300 x214 or visit my website at www.greenhomespgh.com.
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