ORLANDO-Construction has commenced on what will be the first apartment project in the Orlando area to be certified LEED. City officials were on hand on Wednesday for the groundbreaking ceremony for Azul Baldwin Park.

The 178-unit project to be developed by the McLean, VA-based Jefferson Apartment Group and investment partner Pacolet Milliken of Spartanburg, SC is designed as a boutique luxury hotel-styled apartment community.

To seek certification, Azul Baldwin Park will include a number of elements relating to the Energy and Atmosphere LEED category, such as a concrete tile roofing product that contains a high solar reflective index value that will be used to reduce the overall amount of solar energy the building attracts and absorbs, in turn minimizing the “Heat Island Effect.” Additionally, the fixtures selected throughout the building (low-flow toilets, urinals, kitchen sinks and showers) will use 40% less water than comparable properties. The Water Efficiency LEED category will also be met through the exclusive use of reclaimed water for landscape irrigation, company officials state.

“Jefferson Apartment Group is proud to be the first developer in the Orlando area to deliver LEED certified apartments,” states Mike Mulhall, senior vice president managing partner, Florida. “Azul Baldwin Park will offer the highly-desirable mix of luxury living and exceptional amenities in an energy efficient, environmentally sensitive building.”