Link Apartments Manchester First in Richmond to Meet Rigorous National Green Building Standard Criteria

Grubb Properties Inc., a N.C.-based real estate development and management firm, is proud to announce that its Link Apartments Manchester project has been certified to the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) by Home Innovation Research Labs. Home Innovation president and CEO, Michael Luzier, presented the certification at the May 9th grand opening of Link Apartments Manchester. The brand new smoke-free development is the first project in Richmond, Va., to achieve this third-party verification of sustainable construction and development. In addition, the project was recently named as a Finalist for the 12th Annual GRACRE Real Estate Awards, which honor outstanding real estate projects and transactions in the metropolitan Richmond region.

“We are honored to receive the National Green Building Standard certification,” said Clay Grubb, CEO of Grubb Properties. “Our vision for this community was to provide a high quality lifestyle for residents who really wanted to be connected to their community. We feel that conscientious, sustainable living is an important part of that connection.”

Home Innovation CEO Michael Luzier presents NGBS Green Certification to Clay Grubb.

Link Apartments Manchester features 187 new luxury apartments as well as  a gated controlled-access parking deck. Floor plans range from 645 square-foot one bedroom, one bathroom units, up to 1,111 square-foot two bedroom, two bathroom units and rents start at $990. The community is 50 percent leased and celebrated its Grand Opening on Thursday, May 9th. In addition to the official presentation from Home Innovation Research Labs, the event included remarks from Clay Grubb, live music, and refreshments from local gourmet eateries.

Michael Luzier, Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones, and Clay Grubb.

“We are always excited to see companies like Grubb Properties who build and operate responsibly by meeting the rigorous requirements of the National Green Building Standard, and set a very high bar for other developers,” said Luzier. “We hope this is the first of many projects in the Richmond area to pursue NGBS certification, and appreciate Link Apartments Manchester leading the way.”

ABOUT: Home Innovation Research Labs, located in Upper Marlboro, Md., is a full-service research, testing, and consulting firm determined to improve the quality, durability, affordability, and environmental performance of single- and multifamily homes and home building products – in short, we aim to perfect the home. Founded in 1964 as a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), our team has been integral in solving many of our client’s most difficult product and technology issues, and helping to introduce some of the most groundbreaking innovations in construction. Through an interdisciplinary research approach – including market research, building science analysis, laboratory testing, and standards development – we help to find a home for innovation in the construction industry.

NOTE TO EDITORS ON STYLE USAGE: To identify this company and its work correctly, first reference should be "Home Innovation Research Labs." In subsequent mentions, “Home Innovation” should be used; we are not identified by an acronym. Prior to February 12, 2013, the company was known as the NAHB Research Center.