Central Station Apartments in Evanston, Ill. Earns LEED Gold Certification

Central Station, a luxury apartment building in Evanston, Ill. has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, announced developer M&R Development. This makes the 80-unit midrise the first new-construction suburban rental building to be awarded this designation, according to usgbc.org.

Located at 1720 Central Street, Central Station includes 80 apartments, 81 parking spaces and more than 10,700 square feet of street-level retail. The residences measure 590 to 1,485 square feet, with rents starting at $1,415 a month. 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 utilizing systems that reduce energy and water consumption. Its walkable location and proximity to public transportation also earned Central Station LEED credits.

“We’re very proud to be recognized once again by the USGBC for one of our developments,” said Anthony Rossi, Sr., president of M&R Development and RMK Management Corp. “We cut our teeth, so to speak, on developing LEED buildings with Parc Huron in downtown Chicago which in 2010 became the first LEED Gold rental high rise in the state. And we’re very pleased to be on the forefront of LEED Gold again with Central Station as the area’s first LEED Gold new-construction luxury rental outside of Chicago.”

Rossi added, “The sophisticated design and attention to detail that goes along with building a LEED development also has proven to be very important to our residents. Central Station is more than 75 percent leased since opening last fall.”

Central Station includes studio, one-bed/one-bath, two-bed/two-bath and three-bed/two-bath plans, with some layouts including dens. Garage parking is available.

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 have also proven to be a draw for renters, said Rossi. Those 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.

Central Station is located in the desirable Central Street corridor, which was recently named one of the U.S.’s Ten Best Neighborhoods by the American Planning Association. The building is one block from a Metra stop and less than a half mile to a CTA Purple Line stop. Additionally, Central Station is within walking distance to the shops and restaurants along Central Street, numerous parks, recreation activities, Northwestern University’s Ryan Field and Evanston Hospital. It is also approximately one mile from Lake Michigan and Gross Point Lighthouse Beach.

Central Station is served by Kingsley Elementary School, Haven Middle School and Evanston High School, and is also one block from St. Athanasius School.

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

Chicago-based RMK Management Corp. manages more than 8,380 apartment homes in the Chicago, Minneapolis, Springfield, Ill. and Indianapolis areas. The company’s portfolio spans a range of apartment types, from high-rise and mid-rise buildings to two- and three-story walk-up apartments, garden apartments and affordable housing. RMK also develops, builds and renovates communities. The 30 Chicagoland communities are located in Round Lake, Waukegan, Barrington, Palatine, Libertyville, Schaumburg, Oswego, Geneva, Aurora, Naperville, Downers Grove, Oakbrook Terrace, Evanston, Lombard, Wildwood and Chicago. Communities in Minnesota are located in Minneapolis and Edina.