Windermere’s Model Residence is First Luxury Home in Northeast to be Awarded LEED Certification

PRLog (Press Release) - Jul 24, 2008 -
The residential division of National Realty & Development Corp. has received LEED for Homes certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for the sustainable land use design and “green” technologies featured at Windermere on the Lake, a new luxury eco-village the company is developing in North Stamford, Connecticut.

Windermere on the Lake’s Cumbria model residence is the first luxury home in the Northeast to receive the prestigious LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, a third-party certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council that serves as the benchmark for high performance green homes. The LEED for Homes certification demonstrates that the 8,000-square-foot Cumbria model home has less environmental impact than a home conventionally built at one third its size.  

“We are extremely gratified that our model residence has achieved this important certification and is the first luxury home in the Northeast to do so. This tremendous accomplishment clearly positions Windermere on the Lake as a national prototype for environmentally sustainable residential development,” said Mark Hallett Robbins, President of National Realty & Development Corp.’s residential division. “By achieving ENERGY STAR certification and LEED for Homes certification, Windermere on the Lake has proven that a home can be spacious, luxurious, and more sustainable all at once,” Mr. Robbins added.

“A passionate commitment to sustainability by Windermere’s project team inspired a holistic approach to green building systems from design, procurement and construction. Achieving ENERGY STAR Certification, with a HERS (Home Energy Rating Score) Index of 49 the home can boast a 50 percent energy savings than if it had been built only to code,” said Steven Winter, President of Steven Winter Associates, a nationally recognized architectural and engineering research and consulting firm with specialized expertise in green technologies and procedures. “These are the first homes we’ve certified in the LEED for Homes program to bring together this level of luxury and sustainability,” said Mr. Winter, whose firm served as consultant for Windermere on the Lake in achieving the certification.

The first of 24 luxury homes planned for the 74-acre eco-village, the Cumbria model home features a wide range of eco-friendly and energy-saving features including: geothermal heating and cooling systems, paints and carpeting with extremely low VOC levels (volatile organic compounds), high performance windows and insulation, heat recovery ventilation systems and extensive use of sustainable building materials including Forestry Stewardship Council certified flooring. In addition, the Energy Star qualified homes at Windermere on the Lake meet efficiency guidelines set by the Federal EPA.

Designed in the style of a classic English village, Windermere on the Lake also boasts extensive and ongoing Habitat Management and Restoration Protection Plans to ensure lifelong preservation of the property. Wildflower and butterfly plantings, bluebird nesting boxes and log crib habitats in the ponds encourage native wildlife to thrive. As a conservation development, 25 acres of the property have been donated to the Stamford Land Conservation Trust – the largest gift in the Trust’s history. An additional 25 acres is retained as permanent open space.

Designed by Roger Bartels of Bartels-Pagliaro Architects of Norwalk, the semi-custom designed homes at Windermere on the Lake are inspired by the 19th Century English Arts and Crafts movement. The homes, which range from four to six bedrooms each with three-car garages, are priced from $2.985 million.

Among the standard home features are Christopher Peacock Cabinetry in the kitchens and baths, Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, hand-cut stone and tile in kitchens and baths, Waterworks fixtures, Baldwin hardware, hardwood 5”oak plank floors, masonry fireplaces and natural cedar shingle roofs. Optional interior features include wine cellars, home theaters, custom libraries, steam showers, elevators and exercise rooms. Exterior options include landmark towers, light monitors, outdoor cooking/entertainment areas and walkout basements.  

In a feature that is unique to Windermere on the Lake, each home includes a custom English country garden created by noted British landscape architect Simon Johnson in consultation with the homeowners. Three optional plans allow homeowners to create even more elaborate gardens with fountains and swimming pools. Simon Johnson is also responsible for developing the master site plan for the heavily wooded property.  

Windermere on the Lake is a gated, maintenance-free community offering a wealth of amenities including outdoor swimming pool, tennis court and clubhouse with fitness center. Residents can also explore the property’s extensive walking trails, canoe on the lake or fish from a floating dock.

Located in the historic Long Ridge area of North Stamford, Windermere on the Lake is convenient to business centers in nearby downtown Stamford and Greenwich and less than an hour from Manhattan. Golf and tennis clubs, fine restaurants, shopping and a variety of cultural attractions are also nearby.    

Windermere on the Lake is the flagship green residential community of National Realty & Development Corp.’s residential division, which develops environmentally sustainable, architecturally superior planned communities.

For more information about Windermere on the Lake, visit the Sales Center at 191 Erskine Road, North Stamford, Connecticut or call (203) 322-0055. Visit the website at www.windermereonthelake.com.

Contact: Dean Bender, Thompson & Bender, (914) 762-1900, dean@thompson-bender.com