Renovation Underway on All-Electric Apartment Building on 111th Street
Currently under renovation, Columbia University's apartment building for graduate students and faculty at 518 W. 111th Street is a six-story structure covering 43,000 square feet whose sustainable design and construction standards will pave the way for future renovations.
Columbia’s renovation of 518 W. 111th Street, an apartment building for graduate students and faculty located in a historic district, will set the sustainability standard for future renovations of its kind. After completion in January 2025, the building will be fully electric and will no longer use fossil fuels for heating or cooling, among other eco-conscious upgrades.
In addition to electrifying the building, the gut renovation will also include sustainability upgrades like high-efficiency plumbing fixtures, LED lighting, and a variable air volume HVAC system to minimize heating and cooling waste. EnergyStar certified appliances and fixtures in the apartments will also contribute to its efficiency.
These features will qualify the renovation project to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Columbia University committed to net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, and building electrification is a significant strategy for achieving this goal. The University completed electrification studies on multiple campuses last year, informing the strategies to lead its transition away from fossil fuels. Columbia’s Plan 2030 also identifies Responsible Design and Construction as a focus area, a goal of which is to standardize sustainable practices across all new projects and renovations.
The renovation is currently in the demolition stage, with planned completion by the end of 2024 and residents set to move in as soon as February 2025.