Banyan Street Manor Goes Green

Banyan Street Manor is a 55-unit, Section 8 apartment building acquired by Seattle-based Vitus Group. It was blessed and rededicated on April 26, 2012. It incorporates green design features that push the envelope and transforms a former property owned by the Hawaii State Public Housing Authority.

The focal point of the renovated building is the three green walls. They are the largest living walls in Hawaii. They serve the dual purpose of aesthetics and air filtering to reduce the building's temperature by up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

The largest living green walls in Hawaii at newly renovated Banyan Street Manor.

Banyan Street Manor reduces the carbon footprint with photovoltaic panelsand rooftop organic garden.

Other cooling features are the white roof and a rooftop organic garden. Those provide greenery to absorb the heat. They also produce USDA certified organic produce - fruits, vegetables and herbs - for the tenants' tables.

Photovoltaic panels generate electricity to power the common areas and offset overall operating costs. Additional green measures to reduce the building's and residents' overall carbon footprint include solar water heaters, exterior shutters, low-flow toilets, energy star appliances and energy saving light bulbs. Low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) paint and vinyl plank flooring help maintain an environment and indoor air quality to promote healthy living.

Transformed a loading zone to gathering/recreation space.

The Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition recently selected Banyan Street Manor to receive an Honorable Mention certificate in the Public Housing Revitalization category for the 2012 Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards competition. The award is presented to the most outstanding Low Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit) developments across the nation.

The revitalization of Banyan Street Manor reflects a transformation in physical structure to create a more livable community. The visionary redevelopment also represents a more resident-centric focus as exampled by the repurposing of an underutilized loading zone space to create a community gathering place for recreation and social activities to occur.

Banyan Street Manor is 100% occupied with tenants who earn up to 50% of area median income.

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