Trumps seeks the other green

A newcomer to the Philadelphia market is chasing the green -- the LEED kind of green.

The new Trump Tower Philadelphia, which will sit on the Delaware River, is striving to achieve a LEED Silver certification. At 45 floors, the residential complex features 225 residences and 31 different floor plans.

Employing Philadelphia-based Alesker & Dundon Architecture, LLC, to design the sustainable features to meet LEED requirements, Trump has integrated several green roofs among standard amenities such as a tennis court, indoor and outdoor pool, fitness center, putting green, a business center, and a wine cellar and tasting room. Exempting the highest roof, most will be landscaped and will house recreation areas such as the swimming pool and serenity gardens, to make the building LEED worthy.

Rainwater catchments systems will be placed on the roofs allowing for self-irrigation of the plants. Condensate from the air conditioning system will also be collected and used for watering. Any excess rainwater that collects will be purified and released into the Delaware River.

In addition, the design team integrated living walls will help filter out fumes from the parking garage. In addition, the building is set on a former brownfield industrial site, and 35 percent of the land will remain undeveloped, leaving some open space.

Heat will also be recycled from the units’ kitchens and bathrooms and used to heat corridors and the lobby areas. Building materials will come from sustainable sources and local businesses, to reduce the effects of transportation.