These Gables Are More Than Green
Environmentally Friendly Building in Lap of Luxury

By Barbara Ruben
Special to The Washington Post
Saturday, October 25, 2008

When new residents move into Gables Takoma Park, they receive a basket of green cleaning products and pamphlets on how to save energy. Residents with hybrid cars get parking spaces closer to the elevator in the garage.

Electricity for the building is generated by wind power, and the roof is painted white to reflect summer heat away.

Gables -- actually in the District's Takoma neighborhood, just over the city line from Maryland's Takoma Park -- is one of a handful of apartment complexes in the Washington area to be certified as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building. The rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, evaluates buildings on energy efficiency, water use, emissions and other green factors outside and in.

The native plantings out front, such as sedum and black-eyed Susans, require fewer pesticides and less water than the usual expanse of lawn surrounding apartment buildings. Components of the 145-unit building, which opened in September, are recycled from a commercial bakery that used to sit on the site.

Exterior lights point down to reduce light pollution. Inside, compact fluorescents glow from every light fixture, and low-flow shower heads mean less water is used.

"The green features were not the deciding factor, but it is certainly nice to know that when I turn on the shower and the water pressure is a little low that I'm saving the Earth," said Melisa Goh, who recently moved from Chicago to the District.

She also found the Arts and Crafts motif and paintings by local artists in the lobby appealing. In addition, Gables' location just two blocks from the Takoma Metro station attracted Goh, 37, an online producer for National Public Radio.

But she has found Metro's proximity to have its disadvantages.

"When the trains come through, you can't really ignore them," Goh said. "They're definitely present." Tracks for both Metro and freight trains pass behind Gables, and Goh said she thinks her concrete deck makes the sound echo.

Other than that, she has no complaints.

"One of the things that stand out is the quality of the service of the staff. They are kind to a degree I find amazing," she said. "When I moved in, they were available all day with an extra hand or a hammer."

Goh and her husband, Robb Hill, a photographer who works from home, are renting a one-bedroom-with-den unit, which she said is large enough to accommodate their needs.

Goh, who was unfamiliar with the Washington area, said she likes her new neighborhood, which reminds her of her hometown, Bloomington, Ind.

Kristen Ezzell and her partner, Shae Agee, also found the area appealing. They moved to the Gables from downtown Washington in late September. Ezzell and Agee said they like the easier parking and the choice of restaurants and grocery stores that living near the suburbs affords them.

Ezzell, 34, said they also chose Takoma because they feel that it is more open and accepting of gay couples. Even the application process at Gables was accommodating.

"Usually, you have to put in two applications [unlike married couples] when you rent an apartment, but they didn't make us do that at the Gables, and we appreciate that," Ezzell said.

In addition, they like the size of the apartment.

"It's very big for a one-bedroom, with walk-in closets. We have a lot of space. The stainless-steel appliances are just beautiful," Ezzell said.

Kitchens also have granite counters. Building amenities include a fitness room, a juice bar, a coffee station, a WiFi-equipped lounge and two rooftop terraces, along with the environmental features.

Ezzell said she appreciates energy- and water-saving elements, including toilets with two flush settings.

"We like that the apartment is environmentally friendly and that we save on our water and electricity bill," Ezzell said.

Ezzell also said that the building is pet-friendly and that staff members always greet their dog, Peyton, when they go for walks.

Some construction is still going on at the building, Ezzell noted. But staff has tried to minimize its impact on residents, such as when Agee got sick recently and made a trip to the emergency room.

"They knew she'd have to be home, so [the apartment manager] stopped construction so she could rest," Ezzell said. "They didn't have to do that, but they did."