Miami Beach's Newest Green Home Goes For Platinum

This two-story 3,200-square-foot, 5-bedroom dwelling is situated on a 7,000-square-foot, highly visible corner lot adjacent to the star-studded North Bay neighborhood (Matt Damon is among the local residents), the Miami Beach Golf Course, and South Beach’s Lincoln Road—the shopping Mecca for the city.

With building permits just approved, all of the major elements, such as geothermal heating and cooling, fresh air intake air conditioning, solar panels, a wind turbine, and a rainwater cistern, are falling into place. One of the myths that this team hopes to dispel is that building green is much more expensive. Arkin says, “Though the upfront costs for these systems are 10-15% more, the systems and materials last much longer and require much less maintenance. They are the gifts that keep giving.” Lahn confirms that this type of home requires less maintenance and cost to run, not to mention the tax incentive for building it. Gary Shlifer, Performance Green Building Consultant and LEED AP hired for the project, says "The real question is, 'What will it cost if we don’t build green today?'"

From the modern design to the smart technology, this Miami Beach addition to the LEED landscape is certain to reinforce the benefits, beauty, and interest in green building today. “There’s more of a market for projects that employ sustainable components than we ever imagined,” says Lahn. Realtor Tara West agrees. Having sold "green" homes in Europe, she is excited to take on her first U.S. listing with the 2020 Alton Road project. “We started to get calls as soon as the sign went up,” says West. The asking price is $1,950,000.

The project is underway now and expected to be completed in Spring 2012. A real-time video camera will be erected at the construction site, so anyone can follow the project’s advancements day-to-day. We will be reporting on the 2020 Alton Road Project with regular updates on the Bob Vila Blog, offering insights into the progress of the construction, the systems, the materials, and ways you might improve the greening of your own home.  Until then, experience a virtual tour of the home below:

 For more on the Florida Green Home Design Group's 2020 Alton Road Project, click here.