South Yard Lofts Brings Neighbors and Nature Together for an Award-Winning Healthy Community

Best in Building HealthHealthy Building ProfilesStrategies & Solutions
Written By Marcos Reynaga

AT A GLANCE

Awards:

Highest Scoring Community Project (v2.1)

Project: South Yard Lofts, Fayetteville, AR

Fitwel Rating: 3-Star

Specialized Real Estate Group’s commitment to Building Better, Moving Together, Embracing Nature, and Sharing Food comes to life at their award-winning South Yard Lofts, the first mix-used space to earn a 3-Star Fitwel Rating in Arkansas. The neighborhood, which encompasses over 194,000 square feet of mixed-use development apartments, a hotel, and multiple restaurants, was designed to promote interconnectivity and community by leveraging existing trail infrastructure and introducing new health-promoting amenities for residents and neighbors. Entegrity went on to lead the project team through the analysis process necessary to incorporate Fitwel criteria into the project.

Learn more from the dedicated project teams below.

Rob Apple, Director of Strategy & Communications, Specialized Real Estate Group

Rob Apple
Director of Strategy & Communications, Specialized Real Estate Group

What Fitwel strategies did you use to achieve your healthy community goals?
RA: South Yard Lofts championed sustainable development by repurposing a previously developed infill site. This strategic location not only leverages existing structures and infrastructure but also positions the community amid thriving commercial spaces and accessible transit options.

Distribution of Goal Achievement by Asset Type analysis chart. Imagery and graphics are illustrative only and are subject to change.

ESG Solutions: Fitwel Certified Metrics
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Some of the key features we focused on include:

  • Walkability: Residents have easy walking access to an array of essential resources. Within a half-mile radius, one can find a public library, health-focused restaurants, and a grocery store stocked with fresh produce. 

  • Community Amenities: The master plan for South Yard emphasizes green spaces, boasting an on-site park amenity available to all residents. This includes a dog park, reinforcing our commitment to a pet-friendly environment. 

  • Connectivity to Nature: Beyond the immediate vicinity, South Yard Lofts offers direct access to the Razorback Greenway Trail system. Spanning 40 miles, the trail connects residents to a broader network of commercial hubs, retail outlets, and parks.

How has Fitwel impacted your occupants?
RA: By integrating Fitwel's strategies into our development approach, we've noticed a notable enhancement in the overall well-being and contentment of our occupants. Specifically, having easy access to green spaces, health-centric amenities, and walkable infrastructure encourages daily physical activity, which has been linked to improved mental health and physical health, promotes enhanced well-being, and increased productivity. The design focus on shared spaces and community amenities has fostered a stronger sense of community. Residents now enjoy more social interactions, building lasting relationships with their neighbors. In addition, the community has had a positive economic impact locally. Surrounding businesses, especially those focused on health and wellness, have experienced an uptick in patronage due to the health-conscious community cultivated by South Yard Lofts.

How has Fitwel impacted your value proposition?
RA: Fitwel Certification has solidified South Yard Lofts' position as a premier, forward-thinking residential development in the region. This distinction has been reflected in our property values and demand, which have seen a notable rise. Additionally, it has helped meet tenant demand and retain tenants. We've noticed reduced tenant turnover rates and a consistent influx of inquiries from potential residents keen on a health-centric lifestyle.

In the broader portfolio, Fitwel Certification enhances our brand's reputation as a leader in sustainable and health-focused development. This not only attracts discerning residents but also resonates with investors and stakeholders who prioritize sustainable and responsible real estate development.

How does Building Health align with the mission and values of Specialized Real Estate Group?
RA: At Specialized Real Estate Group, our aim has always been simple: to create spaces where neighbors connect with each other and with nature. Being recognized by Fitwel underscores our dedication to this mission. Whether it's through walkways, green spaces, or community hubs, we're passionate about fostering genuine connections and well-being in every project.

Meredith Hendricks, Vice President Sustainability, Entegrity Partners

Meredith Hendricks
Vice President Sustainability, Entegrity Partners

What was Entegrity Partners’ role in this project?
MH: It has been a pleasure to continue to build Entegrity’s relationship with Specialized Real Estate Group and modus studio on the South Yard Lofts project. By scaling up their sustainability discussions to encompass the entire community, they’ve created a great success story and example of optimal infill and reuse in the Fayetteville community. This project has added to the urban fabric while also taking advantage of the infill site and surrounding community resources, trails, and parks. These efforts have culminated into healthy places and spaces for the occupants. The Fitwel Standard’s Community Scorecard was an excellent tool to spur new discussions and validate existing decisions.

Chris Baribeau, Principal Architect, modus studio

“We're honored to have South Yard Lofts recognized with the Fitwel Best in Building Health award. This accolade resonates deeply with our purpose at modus studio, which is to create built environments that challenge convention and elevate the human experience. Partnering with Specialized Real Estate Group on this project allowed us to align our architectural vision with a commitment to community well-being. It's not just about innovative design; it's about fostering healthier, more sustainable living spaces for the people who reside there. This award validates that we're on the right track and fuels our passion for making a positive impact through architecture.”

Chris Baribeau
Principal Architect, modus studio

About Specialized Real Estate Group
Specialized Real Estate Group is a real estate development and property management company serving northwest Arkansas. Their purpose is to cultivate healthy spaces that inspire people to connect with neighbors and nature. The cornerstones of Specialized Real Estate Group’s approach are Building Better, Moving Together, Embracing Nature, and Sharing Food. To learn more, visit specializedreg.com.

About Entegrity Partners
Entegrity is an energy services, sustainability, and solar development company specializing in the implementation of energy conservation and renewable energy projects. Entegrity aims to educate and support clients in making informed decisions about projects, leading to better buildings and overall healthier places. They work collaboratively with design teams to identify opportunities to incorporate sustainability principles into projects that align project variables and the owner’s goals. Entegrity’s process for delivering energy-efficient and sustainable projects centers on early collaboration and input to drive buy-in from all parties. In order to support this collaboration, the team hosts a series of meetings early in design and construction with the building owners, design team, and construction team. This process gives key stakeholders the ability to discuss sustainability strategies available to the site, including those specific to the Fitwel Certification System, before the design is finalized and additions or revisions become much more costly. To learn more, visit entegritypartners.com.

About modus studio
modus studio is an idea. It is an idea that the patterns, perceptions, senses, and notions of daily experiences can create a process, a way to do things, which leads to architecture and good design. This conception is the process which allows departure from the general rule of form to create thoughtful architecture that begins to shape the present landscape and plan for a sustainable future. modus seeks to operate in a modern format, a studio atmosphere, where ideas and exchange are essential to their process. The team is passionately connected to their work and they believe in the work they produce. modus studio provides a fresh, energetic focus and approach to design. Times are changing, we must adapt, and we must be mutable. modus studio generates a collaborative process allowing architect, client, and builder to come together as thinkers, people, and cohabitants of the modern world. To learn more, visit modusstudio.com.

 

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