FAQ

Why should somebody want to buy a G-8 home?
Urban home buyers are weighing a lot of important issues when considering where to live: location, price, layout, architecture, quality of workmanship and, increasingly, environmental impact. Up to now, it has often seemed as if sustainable living was a luxury for people with money. We don’t believe it has to be that way, and we think people will be pleasantly surprised by what they will get in a G-8 home.

Why are you developing these kinds of homes in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia, under Mayor Nutter, pledged this year to be the greenest city in the United States by the year 2015. There are over 100 initiatives in place to make that happen. Philadelphia is a city where people are actively taking part in an innovative approach to their lifestyle. And we can have a positive and long lasting impact on that decision. Philadelphians love urban living and now they also have the ability to actively reduce their impact on the environment—and to show other cities how it can be done. We really want to have a conversation with these people.

How is G-8 different from other developers?
There are certainly other builders doing interesting things with green building in this city. At the same time, we think some essential factors get lost in the excitement that surrounds the current interest in sustainable living. We want to build homes that go beyond the cool factor and genuinely place the home owner into a sustainable lifestyle, with serious energy conservation and environmental responsibility designed into the building. Second, we believe it’s possible to provide this kind of home at a reasonable price.

What kinds of layouts and designs will your homes have?
We have a number of plans that are nearly finalized and we’ll be posting them on this site soon. Our G-8 architects have taken an original approach to reinventing the "Philadelphia rowhouse," making innovative as well as practical use of levels and open spaces, and of light and unique finish materials. But we’d rather have you see these for yourself than try to describe them in words.

You’ve said that the idea of community is an important part of what you’re doing. Can you talk about that?
t’s true we're serious about community. We take what I would call a comprehensive view of our work and of the idea of a sustainable lifestyle. We’re interested in a long-term relationship with our buyers. We see this not just as a real estate transaction but as a partnership and, in a way, a social adventure. We intend to stay in communication with G-8 home owners so we can share future ideas on sustainability with them, create online communities, promote local gatherings and events and build mutually helpful relationships. We think people interested in our homes will be excited to be part of such a community, to identify with and get to know others who share a passion for many of the same values and ideals.