This is a case study analysis I performed for my Sustainable Development and Construction class at Georgetown University. An old apartment community was re-developed into LEED-certified community.

1. Case Study Analysis
ECO Modern Flats
Georgetown University
Sustainable Development and Construction
MPRE 752-201
Quentin Torbert
October 2017
Project Location
Situated between the University of Arkansas and Downtown Fayetteville, ECO Modern Flats
represents a prime location in the quaint town of 82,830 people. “One-of-a-kind shopping,
historic neighborhoods, exciting nightlife, live local music and fine arts, a nationally-recognized
public library, sporting events, community theater, and thousands of acres of park land for a wide
range of play, including fishing and free concerts, [shows] Fayetteville has something for
everyone” (http://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/902/About-Fayetteville). Thousands of Razorback
football fans come to Fayetteville each Saturday to
cheer on their team, which can provide great foot traffic
to market the apartment complex. During my college
career, I worked as a leasing agent for a property
management company. Game days were perfect
opportunities for open houses since many students

2. apartment hunters were able to view the apartments and sign leases the same day.
Project Team Members
The developer for the project is Specialized Real Estate Group. This company has a competitive
advantage because they operate and know the Fayetteville market and realized a void in the
market. Renters want a sustainable home that is close to common city amenities such as the
university, Dickson Street Entertainment District, and Downtown Fayetteville. Another
competitive advantage for Specialized Real Estate group is their small size and age. With fewer
than 20 employees, the developer is easily able to make quick decisions related to this project
while avoiding bureaucracy within the firm. The company started managing multifamily
properties in 2016, which makes them relatively new at property management. Many would see
their age as a disadvantage, but it is truly a competitive advantage because new companies are
easily able to bring fresh insight to the market.
US Bank (Arkansas) provided construction financing and permanent financing was by Atlanta’s
Grandbridge Real Estate Capital. An area of concern regarding financing may be due to
Specialized’s inexperience in the market. It’s standard practice to obtain a construction loan
before beginning construction. Specialized did the opposite by starting renovations without the
loan approved. This is very risky and shows immaturity with the company. In the end, however,
Specialized was able to get the loan. The H7 Group, construction manager, provided oversight of
the day to day construction progress done by site contractor Town Builder, Inc. VIRIDIAN is the
LEED consultant for the project and ensures all sustainable metrics are met
(https://casestudies.uli.org/eco-modern-flats/).

3. Architect Modus Studio is the creative mind behind the project. When apartment prospects see
the structure for the first time, they immediately see the importance of good design. Outdoor
living spaces were added to provide more community among residents. Residents can lounge at
the renovated pool area or go to the roof top deck that lends itself to priceless views of the city.
Sustainability Goals for the Project
ECO Modern Flats is setting the precedent in the state of Arkansas because it is “the first
multifamily project in the state to be certified under the LEED Program and achieved the highest
Platinum rating” (https://casestudies.uli.org/eco-modern-flats/). In some regards it is an amazing
feat, but in other regards, it is sad. The rehabilitation of ECO Modern Flats started in 2010 which
means no other apartment before this year had been LEED certified in Arkansas. This shows the
slow pace at which some people are to latching on to the sustainable movement. Some
developers only see sustainable options as money pits, but projects like ECO Modern Flats show
a path to obtain funding to renovate LEED-approved homes.
Water conservation is one of the focuses of the project. 50% of rainwater from the roofs are
collected and reused to water the gardens filled with native greenery. Energy conservation is
another focal point where faulty insulation and old mechanical system were replaced. Current
residents now enjoy energy efficient heat pump systems where they can control the heat and air
in their individual room.
Many apartment communities may look at the ECO
Modern project and think it’s impossible to push
sustainable measures, but recycling is the easiest
measure to replicate across the community.
Recycling bins were added to the community and
“within the first 18 months after ECO Modern Flats
opened, nearly six and a half tons of waste was collected from the complex”
(https://casestudies.uli.org/eco-modern-flats/). It takes one trail blazer to start an ambitious plan
like this and other apartments will follow.

4. Other Notes and Observations
I was drawn to ECO Modern because it is an infill, redevelopment project. I currently oversee re-
development projects for apartment communities in Florida, so the ECO Modern project opened
my eyes to new ideas I can take back to my company. Simple measures likes recycling is
something we can pilot at one community and spread to other communities if successful.
Through all my research of this project, I would have liked to see more information on Life
Cycle Assessment (LCA). From this week’s text book selection, we learned that the ultimate
goal of the LCA is to close material loops by reusing and recycling construction material rather
than disposing of them as waste at end of product life cycle. Specialized should have provided
more detail on how they expected to dispose of construction materials so Mother Nature
wouldn’t be disturbed.
About the Author
Quentin Torbert is pursuing a Masters in Real Estate from Georgetown University to learn about
global development. He is currently a Construction Project Associate for a Tampa-based real
estate investment firm. He is tasked with overseeing value-add renovations for multifamily units.
He can be reached at qt21@georgetown.edu.