The Austonian Awarded Four-Star Commercial Rating From Austin Energy Green Building

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov.  9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Austonian, Austin's newest and tallest luxury residential high-rise in the heart of downtown, has been awarded a coveted Four-Star rating from Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB).

The Austonian is the newest and most modern example of a sustainable and environmentally-smart high-rise community in the United States.

The Austonian's Four Star rating from Austin Energy is the equivalent to the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Gold rating.

"This accomplishment is the result of support from our developer to realize a goal, keen attention to detail and a lot of hard work by the design and construction team," Bob Albanese, design and construction manager for The Austonian.

From its planning stages, The Austonian set out to create a new standard for luxury condominiums, redefining the term so that it's synonymous with green living. The Austonian reduces energy use, conserves water, improves air quality, preserves history and reduces sprawl. More information is available at www.theaustonian.com

"The Austonian is a one-of-a-kind building," said U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin). "There are national ramifications for what is being done here, and I hope this project sets an example for downtown living."

"The Austonian shows that we can have population growth, preserve the values of our community and be a green city," said Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell.

The building occupies just one-third of a city block, providing luxury homes for 166 families on less than three-quarters of an acre. In contrast, a suburban residential community housing the same number of families on one-acre lots requires at least 27 acres of asphalt and concrete.

About The Austonian

Located at the corner of 2nd and Congress in Austin, Texas, The Austonian luxury condominiums opened to residents in June 2010. The tallest residential building in the western United States, The Austonian offers panoramic views of Austin and the surrounding Texas Hill Country. More than 40,000 square feet of private amenities are available to residents of The Austonian and include a 55th floor that can host parties from 15 to 200, a 56th floor dedicated to exercise and 10th-floor amenities ranging from poolside cabanas and kitchens to a private screening room. The Austonian is the second North American luxury real estate project by Benchmark Development, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Grupo Villar Mir (GVM).

SOURCE The Austonian