TEXAS BBL.
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plank. Each unit is equipped with cus-
tom modern kitchen cabinetry with
stainless steel hardware, open shelving,
state-of-the art appliances and designer
lighting packages that are environmen-
tally friendly. The buildings’ carriageways
are artistic, with concrete paver designs.
The leasing center will feature 8-foot-tall
metal bamboo sculptures and several bam-
boo stalks through which water will
flow down into a tank layered with
river rock.
Adjacent to the project’s leasing office is
a cyber café that features a coffee bar, sev-
eral computers, a copy machine and flat-
screen TVs, Courty explains. The develop-
ment also boasts a state-of-the-art fitness
center that includes cardio equipment and
universal weights.
Midtown Commons is focused heavi-
ly on outdoor living spaces for resi-
dents and includes three courtyards
that have unique features, including a
resort-style swimming pool with a sun-
bathing shelf; fireplace; fire pit; built-in
cooking center and grill; stone seating
wall; and integrated crushed granite
and stained concrete pathways.
Earth-Friendly Features
Midtown Commons is a green develop-
ment, with sustainable guidelines for
Texas BBL to follow. “There are several
design criteria and processes in the field
we had to abide by,” Courty says.
Midtown Commons has been recog-
nized with a three-star rating from Austin
Energy Green Building, America’s No. 1
green building program.
“[The] type of equipment and materi-
als [used] are specific,” Courty explains.
“We will be installing Energy Star
appliances, low-flow faucets and show-
er heads to help with water conserva-
tion; 13.0 SEER [seasonal energy effi-
ciency rating] cooling equipment effi-
ciency; and double-pane insulated win-
dows with low sound transmissions.”
Above and Beyond
Texas BBL has incorporated a construc-
tion waste management program to recy-
cle trees, wood, paper, metal and concrete
throughout the project.
“All building materials had to be sub-
mitted to the city of Austin for review
— from windows to landscape mulch,”
FEBRUARY 2009
A TRUE TEAM
Developer — High Street Crestview
Station, LLC, a Delaware Limited
Liability Company.
Architect — James, Harwick +
Partners Inc.
Project architect — Mark Wolf
Project manager — Sheila Kleinpeter
Courty adds. Midtown Commons also
features fluorescent lighting for most
interior and exterior fixtures, radiant
barrier roof sheathing, cool-color shin-
gles that have a 40-year lifespan and a
75 percent solar reflectivity so the
building stays cool.
And “most exterior products are light
in color, so [the building] doesn’t absorb
a lot of heat,” he explains.
Courty says Texas BBL is finding
ways to accommodate the green build-
ing trend. One of the company’s staff
members is studying to be LEED certi-
fied, Courty says. “This is a good build-
ing process for us, just for the simple
fact that we are more conscious of the
materials we use,” Courty adds. ■
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