Many Options on North Shore to Live Green

Submitted by Taylor Johnson

People across the North Shore are celebrating Earth Day this week, but for those seeking a way to live green every day, there are several new options.

Central Station Apartments
1720 Central St., Evanston
Certified LEED Gold

Located at 1720 Central Street, Central Station includes 80 apartments including studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom plans. It is managed by Chicago-based RMK Management Corp.

The building earned LEED credits for features such as electric car charging stations, a green roof, Energy Star-rated appliances, and systems that reduce energy and water consumption. Its walkable location and proximity to public transportation also earned Central Station LEED credits.

All homes feature stainless steel Energy Star appliances, quartz countertops and custom backsplashes in the kitchen; hardwood flooring in the living and dining areas; sophisticated data wiring; a computer niche, per plan; and a full-sized washer and dryer. Most homes also include a Juliette balcony or patio, per plan.

The amenities include a 24-hour fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment; a cyber lounge with a coffee bar, LED flat screen televisions, computers and printers, and several seating areas; a professionally landscaped green roof; complimentary bicycle storage; package receiving; dry cleaning drop-off service; and complimentary Wi-Fi access in all common areas. The ground floor of Central Station features over 10,000 square-feet of retail space, including Ten Mile House restaurant. Garage parking is available.

For more information, visit www.centralstationapartments.com or call (847) 864-8500.

E2 Apartments
1881 Oak Ave. and 1890 Maple Ave., Evanston
Certification pending, LEED Silver

Designed by FitzGerald Associates Architects, E2 consists of two buildings, a 16-story tower at 1881 Oak Ave. and a 14-story tower at 1890 Maple Ave. in downtown Evanston. The two buildings are connected by a four-story structure that includes three floors of parking and a fourth-floor amenity deck. Evanston-based Morgante Wilson Architects is responsible for all common area interior design work at E2. The building also contains 4,000 square feet of ground floor retail space.

Apartment tower residences range from 500 to 1,400 square feet and offer studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts. The property also has 12 rental townhomes with private access from Emerson Street. The three-story E2 townhomes range in size from 1,750 square feet to 1,875 square feet and have three bedrooms, 2 ½ baths, and a third-floor deck. Residents of the townhomes have complete access to the same building amenities as tower residents.

Units feature quartz countertops, plank floors, stainless steel appliances, in-unit laundry, oversized windows and high-end lighting and Grohe plumbing fixtures. The residences at E2 also appeal to the high-tech crowd, as each unit has a built-in Bluetooth audio system and electronic access control.

E2’s amenity deck offers a full-size basketball court, yoga studio, state-of-the-art fitness center, lounge area, party room with demonstration kitchen, theater, business center with conference room and flat screen TV for presentations, coffee bar, an outdoor pool and spa with cabanas and grilling stations. Biking enthusiasts will feel at home at E2 as well, with the development’s ample bicycle storage area and “bike kitchen,” which offers residents space as well as supplies for quick repairs.

For more information, visit www.E2apts.com.

Church Street Village townhomes
1641 Church Street, Evanston
Includes geo-thermal heating and cooling

Located near the intersection of Church Street and Ashland Avenue, Church Street Village offers three-story brick townhomes with two or three bedrooms, 2 to 2½ baths, and an attached one- or two-car garage. The townhomes also offer a first-floor den or office space and private outdoor space, per plan. Prices for the townhomes range from $329,000 to $383,000.

All homes, which feature an open-concept living area, include a high level of interior finishes including granite kitchen countertops, stainless steel appliances, hardwood flooring throughout the main level, and 9-foot ceilings.

The townhomes also include a 100-percent-geo-thermal heating and cooling system, which is considered cleaner, more efficient and more cost-effective than traditional heating and cooling systems. Church Street Village is one of the largest multi-family properties to utilize geo-thermal energy in the Midwest.

For more information on Church Street Village, visit www.churchstreetvillage-evanston.com

Photos: 1. Central, 2. E2, 3. Church