367 Fifth Avenue

Developer Voltaic Solaire is attempting an unusual $1 million renovation that will convert an inefficient Park Slope prewar into a “net zero” building, one that is neutral to the city’s electric grid, the New York Times reported. The building, located at 367 Fifth Avenue, will be covered in solar skin and panels, use LED lighting and be completely insulated. Voltaic Solaire is so confident that it can make the 7,000-square-foot building self-sustaining it is bundling utilities with rents.

This isn’t the first super-green renovation to hit Brooklyn. As The Real Deal reported previously, developer Brendan Aguayo is building a so-called “passive house” in Prospect Heights, but the Park Slope project will be the first to try and create all the energy it consumes. [more]

A rendering of the Park Slope building

For once, Park Slope residents aren’t complaining about a high-tech, glass-enclosed residential building slated to rise in their neighborhood, the Brooklyn Paper reported, because it’s planned to be completely powered by sun and wind energy.

The four-story building will begin rising this summer at Fifth Avenue and Fifth Street. It’s slated to include six rental apartments, ranging from $1,600 to $2,600 in rent, above a ground-floor bar, lounge and restaurant. [more]