So I know people are saving the environment these days by using cloth bags for grocery shopping, all natural cleaning supplies, organic soaps and biodegradable Sun Chip bags;  but this is one big step further than turning off the water while you brush your teeth – I am talking about changing your lifestyle by buying into a green building. Are you in?

303 East 33rd street is the type of address that has a nice ring to it and, trust me, the building stands up to its cool address. We are talking about a slick eco-friendly building with luxury and amenities galore. I had the privilege to take a tour around the LEED approved building and see it with my own eyes.

First, let’s talk about the neighborhood. The charm of the tall buildings and the convenience of all the diverse restaurants; let’s be honest people, New York City can’t get any more classic than this. There is plenty of potential for buildings with expansive views and my favorite aspect about 303′s location is that it is right next to the Kipps Bay movie theater. You can catch a flick at a moments notice. This neighborhood has everything you need. Don’t be swayed by Murray Hill’s reputation of being filled with former frat boys and sorority sisters who haven’t shed their partying ways… The luxury of this building will have none of that.

My first impression of the structure was when I walked into the expansive lobby, which opened up to a courtyard and a recreation center exclusive for owners, and I thought to myself “I could live here.” The entire left wall, eventually running into the courtyard, is lined with bamboo waves giving the space a real organic feel. The waves are lined with Sansevieria Trifasciata, or what everyday people call snake plants. These plants are one of the many indoor greenery that is known for removing toxins like benzene from your living environment. A perfect fit for a LEED approved building

What is LEED?

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design. It is the U.S. Green Building Council’s verification system that requires buildings to reduce water usage, carbon dioxide emissions and the use of energy. They want to promote improvement for indoor environment quality, and have an overall awareness of how the building impacts the environment. Each building has to go through a laundry list of requirements to achieve this status.

This building has so many aspects to being environment friendly: from the four-inch bamboo floors, Bosch LEED approved energy saving appliances (including my favorite feature the washer/dryer in every unit), bamboo cabinetry, the insulated low-E coated glass window walls and much more.

The building is 12 floors high, with 128 units and options for studios starting in the high $500,000 to the three-bedroom penthouse for $4,500,000.

My favorite aspect of the building is the spacious rooftop available to all residents. There is room for entertaining, grilling, sunbathing and bocce ball. Views of the Chrysler Building, Empire State Building and the East River engulf your sight. What’s interesting is that LEED requires the rooftop of the building to be filled with plants and light reflecting materials to reduce New York’s issue of the mass production of heat. When you are up there it feels like your in a luscious garden.

If you are ready to flex your muscles or have a serious stretching session the basement is where you need to go. It has its own state-of-the-art gym, cardio-theater and yoga studio. The basement also has private storage units (important for Manhattanites) and bicycle storage (if you are interested in traveling green).

If you want to check out some of the available units here is a one bedroom available:

According to StreetEasy this one bedroom, one bathroom condo is located on the 4th floor. It covers 886 square feet and has common charges of $661 a month. It’s selling for $850,000. It has all of the luxury and features listed above.

If you are interested in living green in Murray Hill you better move fast, 70% of the building is already sold. Do you need to move in right away? Floors 1-10 are ready for occupancy and the rest of the building should be finished by October.

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