249-unit green residence, Kalahari, recently tops out in Central Harlem

According to developers of Kalahari, a green residence located in Central Harlem set for 2008 completion, the property has topped out. Kalahari, which includes two buildings connected with a garden, offers 249 homes with amenities such as a rooftop garden, concierge, a parking garage and grand lobby featuring original artwork by a MoMA-retained artist. Project developers are Full Spectrum NY, Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group and L&M Equity Participants, Ltd. Kalahari features premium two and three-bedroom simplex and duplex homes containing balconies at the top of the building. In addition to the 129 premium residences, Kalahari also contains 120 affordable homes whose owners were selected at random in May of 2006 in a New York City housing lottery. Kalahari's developers believe that the homes, which celebrate sustainability, traditional African culture and design and living beautifully should be accessible to a wide range of income levels. "We are pleased to announce that Kalahari has topped out, and thrilled to be a part of Harlem's changing skyline," said Ron Moelis, principal of L&M Equity Participants. "Sustainability is integrated into the design of these homes, as well as the luxurious finishes and amenities discerning home buyers seek." As one of the borough's greenest residences in today's market, Kalahari utilizes a fresh-filtered air purification system, wind-generated energy provided by Con Ed Solutions, on-site solar panels that supply over 25% of the building's energy and Energy-Star appliances throughout. These features reduce anticipated energy consumption by more than 30% below the NYS Energy Code. Kalahari also features one of the area's most striking facades, decorated with the powerful African Adinkra symbol in bold colors. The homes integrate the textures, patterns and decorative motifs made famous by traditional African painting, decorating and design. Zipcar, an environmentally-friendly car sharing service, will also retain three environmentally-friendly Toyota Prius' reserved for residents' and community use in Kalahari's parking garage. A movie theater, restaurant and café development will be situated next to Kalahari, and films will relate to the African and Latin diaspora. "We've spent the last 10 years developing homes and communities that deliver the lifestyles and working environments people truly value," said Carlton Brown, COO of Full Spectrum NY. "Kalahari merges style, sustainability and value in one of Manhattan's most vibrant neighborhoods.