Small is desirable

Gerding Edlen Development Co., the Portland firm best known for its mixed-use urban renewal projects in the city’s Brewery Blocks and South Waterfront district, recently opened the showroom for Cyan PDX, a downtown residential high-rise that offers affordable—but cozy—urban green condos.

Sixty percent of the Cyan’s 340 units are priced under $300,000, according to project manager Damin Tarlow. Following in the footsteps of the Civic, Gerding Edlen’s high-rise tower in Portland with similarly sized lofts, Cyan’s one-bedrooms range from 525 to 600 square feet and two-bedrooms max out at 900 square feet. Designed by Thomas Hacker Architects, the Cyan is located on the Portland Streetcar line and within blocks of the city’s newest light rail line. All units come equipped with energy-efficient appliances, operable windows, bamboo flooring and countertops made of recycled glass. The condos are the nation’s first to house German-made Blomberg dishwashers and refrigerators. The refrigerator is the No. 1 best-selling refrigerator in Europe, as well as the most energy-efficient, according to the European Commission.

Gerding Edlen is pursuing a Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating from the U.S. Green Building Council for the project. If proven successful, Tarlow notes Gerding Edlen has identified several other markets where the project could be duplicated. Will Cyan LAX be next?

Want more condo news? Stay tuned for May 2008's "Leaning towers," a look at how green condo developers are riding out the economic downturn.