Charlotte of the Upper West Side Wins Prestigious American Institute of Architects Award

Charlotte of the Upper West Side , a nine-story ultra-luxury residential development at 470 Columbus Avenue, has already received numerous accolades and column inches of media coverage for its innovative and rigorous approach to sustainability. Developed by the Roe Corporation and designed by the firm BKSK Architects, with interiors for its seven full-floor condos (including one duplex penthouse) by Alyssa Kapito Interiors & BKSK Architects, the boutique building has been lauded in The Wall Street Journal , The New York Times and Elle Décor , among other publications, for its exceptional air quality and energy efficiency. Now, Charlotte of the Upper West Side can add “American Institute of Architects award winner” to its list of laurels. In December, the American Institute of Architects New York State (AIANYS) Design Awards recognized Charlotte and BKSK with its Merit Award for the Residential Multi Family, Multiple Dwellings category. According to the program for the awards ceremony, held virtually on Dec. 13: “The Charlotte of the Upper West Side project features an innovative blend of traditional architectural elements with modern elements, resulting in a cohesive design that dialogues with the surrounding architecture. Moreover, its commitment to sustainability and health helps establish new benchmarks for residential buildings in NYC.” Douglas Elliman agents Andrew Anderson , Bruce Ehrmann and Greg Williamson , who lead sales and marketing for the building, celebrated the AIANYS award as richly deserved recognition for a one-of-a-kind project. “Not only is it architecturally stunning, but the interior finishes are also equally beautiful,” said Anderson, noting the Henrybuilt kitchens and baths in particular. “So many buildings claim to be unique—this one truly is.” “In my 17 years representing new developments throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, I’ve never seen a developer execute at such a high level,” said Williamson of the Roe Corporation. “The old saying about ‘sparing no expense’ is actually true in the case of the project.” Speaking with Elliman Insider in December, the firm’s founder John Roe confirmed that the investment was considerable—and necessary for his goal of elevating the standard for sustainability in residential development. That started with qualifying for Passive House Institute certification , a voluntary standard for reducing energy consumption from heating and cooling by up to 90 percent. The architects, engineers and developers achieved this through a combination of reinforced insulation and airtight sealing to minimize leaks and drafts, the use of quadruple-layered, ultra-clear window glass that is up to four times more energy-efficient than standard residential windows, and the façade’s innovative terra cotta louvers, which deflect high-angled summer sunshine while capturing low-angled sunlight in the winter. And because its Upper West Side location requires the involvement of NYC’s Landmarks Preservation Commission, Charlotte of the Upper West Side is now the city’s only Landmarks-approved Passive House building. Roe said that he and his wife, Cherry, were determined to set new baselines for sustainability that would have meaningful impact for future generations, including their daughter—and namesake of the building—Charlotte. “We wanted to create a model for what sustainability can achieve,” he said. “No one’s done it to the level that we’ve don’t it here.” While sustainability and energy efficiency may be future-facing principles, Roe added, they provide the foundation for an experience of wellness that is very much present for Charlotte residents. The building’s 40 UV-C air filtration systems are capable of killing 99.99% of bacteria, fungi, mold and viruses that run through the ducts, while each residence’s Swiss-engineered ventilation system can completely exchange the home’s indoor air with freshly filtered, temperature-controlled outdoor up to 30 times a day. As a result, Roe said, flowers and fruit stay fresh longer, residents tend to sleep more comfortably and unpleasant odors—whether from cooking inside or, say, smoke from wildfires in Canada—are undetectable. “Wellness is when you actually feel demonstrable effects of the design and build,” he said. “And that’s very difficult to do that without sustainability as a base.” And yes, it is also expensive. “The cost per square foot turned out to be $1,300, which is about 40% to 50% more than what it would be for a comparable New York City luxury development,” Roe acknowledged, but stressed that he had no regrets, adding, “There’s no point in building a Ferrari and putting a 100-horsepower engine inside it.”