There was no flash-of-green moment for Alex Plessett, but four years ago the Philadelphia Sales Associate sensed the time was right to build one of the largest green housing developments in the country.
 
Today, Plessett and green builder Denise Lehmann are weeks away from completing the model home for Sheldon Crossing, a development of 20 high-end townhomes that combine sustainability with luxury. It's the largest LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) residential project in the nation's sixth-most populous city.
 
The team is out to prove that green building – often perceived as being modernistic, even bland – can effectively incorporate classic architecture and luxury amenities. Plessett calls it "livable green."
 
Starting at $749,000, the four-level homes combine a classic carriage-house look with eco-friendly materials and roofs dominated by green vegetation and solar panels. The interior features include a plethora of energy-saving strategies, including high R-value spray-foam insulation, water-saving plumbing and smart-home automation. Local officials waived the requirement for concrete sidewalks so that porous pavers could be used to reduce stormwater runoff.
 
With RE/MAX Services in Blue Bell, Pa., Plessett went from being Lehmann's real estate agent on house flips to a business partner. "I didn't know anything about green," says the 22-year real estate professional who has since earned the NAR Green designation. "I was in the sales mode: Show them a house – sell it. That's the mindset of a Realtor."

But as Lehmann convinced her colleague that building green was "just about building well," Plessett had a new favorite color. "I said, 'Why isn't everyone building green?' It's the future and it's the right thing to do."
 
Next to the Schuylkill River and 10 minutes from downtown Philly, Sheldon Crossing is built on a former mill site in the historic textile manufacturing community of Manayunk. It is surrounded by small shops and row houses. The pair hopes it is the beginning of a "Green Corridor" in the Philadelphia metro area.
 
A Hall of Fame member, Plessett has employed a public relations firm and multimedia Web site to market Sheldon Crossing, targeting high-earning professionals from three generations. The message, Lehmann says, is that "you can seamlessly integrate green with luxury. People misconstrued that sustainability was a sacrifice and that they had to give up luxury."
 
Sheldon Crossing's carriage-home style, reminiscent of the early 1900s, "will stand the test of time," says Lehmann. "Thirty years from now they will have held their value and appeal." The homes will use less energy and water, while offering a healthy environment with improved air, acoustic, and water quality. They will reduce waste and have lower exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. Maintenance costs will be less than with standard construction.
 
While Plessett's "sell-it" mindset still gets a workout every day, his real estate approach is forever changed. "Realtors need to educate themselves about living green and the benefits of green construction," he says. "Real estate is not just about selling your standard house. There is something else out there that far exceeds that in terms of sustainability. We need to teach our clients about green living."

© 2009 RE/MAX International, Inc. RE/MAX Affiliates may share this article, provided they do not charge for it and this notice is included. All other rights reserved.