The Lofts of Washington University Receives LEED Platinum Certification

The Lofts of Washington University has been awarded LEED Platinum Certification from the United States Green Building Council. The project received 84 total points out of only 80 required to achieve platinum, the highest level of certification. This 167-unit student housing and retail complex located in the Delmar Loop area of University City, Missouri, features a United Provisions grocery store and the 24-hour Peacock Loop Diner. The $80 million project was built on 4.5 acres which were previously occupied by underutilized buildings and surface parking.

Together with the University, the project team was striving for platinum certification throughout the design and construction process. Cole’s contribution includes working closely with Paric, the General Contractor, on pollution prevention during construction. In addition, Cole utilized a creative approach to stormwater management with a 25,000 gallon cistern to harvest rain water, several rain gardens for bioretention, and assisted DTLS Landscape Studio on a green roof. Cole has been involved in many LEED Certified projects on the Washington University campus, but this is the first LEED Platinum Certification for both Cole and the University.

Designed to minimize impact on the environment while creating healthy spaces for people, it is anticipated that the project will be 46 percent more efficient than standard construction. Architects Tao + Lee and William Rawn Associates are responsible for the solar thermal panels which heat 25 percent of the buildings’ hot water, solar photovoltaic cells providing 10 percent of the electrical needs, and exterior aluminum sunshades serving as both a cooling element and a unique design feature.

The Lofts is the first model of its kind for Washington University. The mix of uses brings new amenities to the neighborhood and has created a positive dramatic change for the Delmar Loop built environment.

Texas Update

As Cole’s market presence continues to strengthen, we’re gearing up for even greater opportunity. We recently found a new home in Frisco. The office is located at the bustling Frisco Square and we’re quite pleased to be part of such a progressive community with sound future growth plans. Keep an eye out for more updates once we get fully settled. Rest assured, this move hasn’t slowed our growth as plans to add to our staff are in the works.

A project we’re quite proud of recently opened in Celina. Turquoise Firefly is a combination boutique and bar that is the first of its kind in Celina. Cole designed the parking, utilities, and landscape, but our most critical role was accelerating the schedule. Once Cole took over the project, we were able to complete the plat, site plan, and construction plans in under two months. We managed the approval process through the City and were able to obtain a certificate of occupancy in just three months.

Our portfolio of multi-family residential projects continues to expand with Singing Oaks, a 120-unit renovation project in Denton which is under construction and 50% complete. Also on the boards is Amberwood in Longview, a 78-unit new construction project. In addition, we recently joined Pinnacle Housing for the grand opening of the first multi-family project in Tyler, TX. This market is hot and we are primed to bring our experience and expertise to formulate success for future projects.

Contact: Sandy Stephens, PE / sstephens@coletx.com (972) 624-6000 or Dana Martin / dmartin@coletx.com (314) 596-6132

Cole’s St. Charles Office Has Moved

Cole’s office in St. Charles County, MO, recently relocated from O’Fallon to downtown St. Charles. This new space puts us in a more central location to better serve our clients in St. Charles and the surrounding area. The office is located at the new Streets of St. Charles, a sophisticated 1.4 million square foot mixed-use development combining retail, dining, entertainment, hospitality, residential, and offices components. Cole has been involved in this project from its inception with contribution from all disciplines – planning, civil engineering, surveying, and landscape architecture. Our new space also allows us to have a daily pulse on the progression of Streets of St. Charles.

Please make note of our new address: 1520 S. Fifth Street, Suite 307, St. Charles, MO 63303