Philly Development Offers Glimpse of Green Real Estate’s Future
By Erica Christoffer, Contributing Editor, REALTOR® Magazine
Alex Plessett & Denise Lehmann
Denise Lehmann and Alex Plessett are building their dream, quite literally.
The builder-REALTOR® pair are the masterminds behind the largest LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) designated green residential development in Philadelphia. In July, they broke ground on Sheldon Crossing, 20 units of high-end sustainable housing, and expect homes in Phase I to be available for purchase by the year’s end.
While Lehmann and Plessett both hope to see the success of their development come to fruition, they also have a message – that sustainability does not have to sacrifice quality, and that green is the future of real estate.
“REALTORS® are really just beginning to learn about sustainability issues and how important it is for their clients,” Plessett says. “They don’t all need to be experts, but it’s important to be able to talk to their buyers about green products, energy efficiency, and the benefits of living in a green home.
“It’s important for REALTORS® to jump on the bandwagon, because green is here – and it’s here to stay.”
