McKenzie is First Fitwel Multifamily Property in Texas
The community places a focus on wellness with a bike share station, designated refrigerated area for fresh and frozen food delivery, safe and accessible street infrastructure and accessible outdoor living spaces.
DALLAS—These days, health is becoming increasingly important to building owners and developers due to a growing demand from tenants. And, Fitwel supports widespread adoption of health-promoting strategies in commercial real estate by providing a new standard for the building industry.
The McKenzie, a high-rise apartment community developed by StreetLights Residential, was recently recognized as the first certified Fitwel multifamily development in Texas, according to the Center for Active Design. The McKenzie was recognized for its focus on sustainability with an emphasis on health and wellness due to its location, building access, outdoor spaces, indoor environment, dwellings and shared spaces.
“With Fitwel certification, the building is designed with the tenant in mind and is developed to be more user friendly in terms of location, building access, outdoor spaces, indoor environment, dwellings, shared spaces, etc.,” Tom Bakewell, StreetLights’ president of development, tells GlobeSt.com. “As the first development in Texas to receive this certification, StreetLights and the McKenzie are setting the bar for future multifamily projects throughout the state.”
This certification demonstrates StreetLights’ commitment to prioritizing wellness within the design, development and operation of one of its newest projects.
“Our strategic focus has always been about crafting beautiful multifamily communities that lift the human spirit. The Fitwel certification supports our vision and reinforces our design-centric approach to multifamily,” said Doug Chesnut, StreetLights CEO. “We believe how people live should influence design, and this includes making health and wellness a priority.”
StreetLights and partner Tricon Capital Group Inc. recently completed the McKenzie, a 22-story residential high-rise with 183 luxury apartment homes in the growing Knox/Henderson neighborhood. The property has a bike share station, designated refrigerated area for fresh and frozen food delivery, safe and accessible street infrastructure for pedestrians, a smoke-free environment and accessible outdoor living spaces. The McKenzie has direct access to the Katy Trail, a 3.5-mile jogging trail that runs through the Uptown and Victory Park neighborhoods.
The McKenzie features units with a focus on improved quality of air, water, light and sleep including enhanced ventilation practices, Lutron smart lighting, blackout shades, windows designed to minimize exterior noise levels and a balcony in every residence.
“The McKenzie’s Fitwel certification demonstrates that StreetLights Residential is putting health at the forefront of their company ethos,” says Joanna Frank, president and CEO at the Center for Active Design. “We are eager to see the housing market in Texas follow StreetLights’ lead by continuing to invest in multifamily residential buildings that are designed to support resident health.”
The Fitwel certification team uses a verified approach to evaluate each project’s certification documentation. Through a double-blind process, two independent reviewers assess each project and then confirm a numerical score. Developed by public health professionals, this method ensures each review is unbiased and consistent. Fitwel certification is valid for three years, GlobeSt.com learns.
The McKenzie rentable homes also include chef’s kitchens with gas cooktops, built-in wine refrigerators and custom detailed cabinetry. Spacious walk-in showers and soaking tubs along with customizable closets are among some of the additional features within the private residential units. Additional amenities include a resident bar, garden room with exterior private garden, and an elevated pool deck accompanied by cabanas, outdoor dining, grilling and fire features. The McKenzie has a supper club area with kitchen and dining as well as a boutique fitness area adjacent to an outdoor fitness terrace. Resident services also include a valet, concierge and a 24-hour front door personnel.
StreetLights worked with Looney Ricks Kiss Architects for architecture. Linda Tycher & Associates served as the landscape architect and Waldrop + Nichols Studio was the interior designer.