In the heart of downtown Los Angeles, Houston-based developer Hanover Co. spotted an opportunity to paint a new class of multifamily, sustainable housing into the city’s rapidly evolving skyline. Named for the lively intersection at West Olympic boulevard and South Olive street where the mixed-use development stands, the Hanover Olympic opened its doors to tenants in July with a unique option for environmentally conscious renters.
Dubbed the “eco-green” apartments, 20 of the Olympic’s 263 units are each powered by 10 rooftop solar panels, making them the city’s first net zero energy rental units. The panels produce enough energy (approximately 4,700 kW/hours per unit, per year) for each unit to be self-sustaining and to send power back to the utility for monthly credits on tenants’ energy bills that vary throughout the year.
“There are other multifamily projects that may feature solar panels on the roof, or have solar panels feeding a house meter, but this is the first time that a solar-powered, net zero system powers individual units in this city,” says Ryan Hamilton, acquisitions and development partner for Hanover.
Ed LaCasse Photography
Designed in collaboration with local firm TCA Architects, the solar-powered units feature a slightly different aesthetic than the standard plans, and cost more to rent. Flooring, cabinets, backsplashes, and baths feature sustainable materials and finishes in earth-toned hues, and the apartments are fitted with recycled-glass countertops and reclaimed hardwood flooring throughout.
Ranging from 539 square feet to 1,342 square feet, the studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom eco-green units are equipped with GE Energy Star appliances, dual-flush toilets, low-flow showerheads and fixtures, and LED lighting, as well as high-performance argon gas-insulated windows. Nest thermostats and mounted iPad mini energy trackers provide a visual reference of how much energy each unit’s solar panels are generating versus how much energy the apartment is consuming.
According to Hanover’s collected data, these water- and energy-saving features contribute to a 15% reduction in tenants’ electricity bills.
“It was a self-imposed directive,” says Hamilton. “We developed the Olympic as an internal pilot program to determine whether these types of enhanced sustainable features are ones that residents will find attractive, and whether there is a demand in the marketplace for them.”
Ed LaCasse Photography
Signs point to yes, as Hamilton says all of the complex’s units, which range in rent from $2,198 to $3,476 per month, are leasing quickly, including the eco-units. The LEED-pending and CALGreen code-compliant building is targeted toward the growing population of Southern Californians who are willing to pay a bit more for sustainability.
Although multifamily buildings over three stories don’t have to meet California’s net zero mandate until 2030, Hanover’s step toward shrinking Los Angeles’ giant carbon footprint sets a sound new standard to follow in the near future.
Ed LaCasse Photography
Project: Hanover Olympic
Location: Los Angeles
Developer: Hanover Co., Houston
Architect: TCA Architects, Los Angeles
General Contractor: Hanover R.S. Construction, Houston
Unit Size: 539 to 1,324 square feet
Rent: $2,198 to $3,476 per month
Construction Cost: Withheld
