HUNTSVILLE – While the rain held off Tuesday, it was still a typical muddy, red clay day on the groundbreaking site of the $108 million Wellory Living. The Southeast’s first net-zero multi-use residential building is going up on the corner of Old Monrovia and Stax Street at MidCity.
Due to high potential for rain, RCP Companies moved the ceremony and early lunchtime event catered by The Camp, indoors to the new Metronome across the street from the construction site.
Situated on 4.2 acres, Wellory Living is projected to be an all-electric, six-story building featuring 328 apartment units, more than 13,000 square feet of ground floor retail, a roof-level lounge and outdoor terrace.
Some of the aspects that help it achieve zero energy operations include reflective roofing, reduced air leakage, Energy Star appliances, high performing HVAC systems, and smart thermostats and technology.
By using a mix of onsite renewable energy, electrification and deep efficiency measures, Wellory Living will generate as much renewable power as it uses, according to Stephen Hohenrieder, founder and CEO of Grounded Capital Partners, the developer partnered with MidCity developer, RCP Companies.
“For us, a development like this is looking at how a project serves the community,” Hohenrieder said. “How we build the buildings, how it serves the residents, the retail tenants, the office space, and ultimately, how it all forms together.”
As the construction industry continues to trend toward a reduced carbon footprints with net zero energy status and sustainable living, Wellory Living will set a precedent for building in Huntsville, according to Mayor Tommy Battle.
“It is very important we have sustainability in our area,” said Battle. “We have been working with our sustainability commission over the last year and looking for a report to come out very close to Earth Day (April 22).
“Sustainability is part of that report, building buildings that have that sustainability effort to them and that have a net-zero energy code to them.
“This one project in the middle of MidCity is something very important for our community as we see if we can copy it over and over and over.”
RCP co-founder Remy Gross said Wellory Living is a first-of-a-kind intentional play around environmental sustainability and wellbeing for Huntsville residents.
“Not only will it have a lighter environmental footprint to build, but it will also have a much lighter footprint to operate, saving money while conserving at the same time,” said Gross. “We are leveraging a proven trend in large cities across the world to increase the function and the wellbeing of MidCity residents.”
RCP companies partnered with Grounded Capital Partners in conjunction with Pinnacle Financial Partners in bringing the development to the market.
ARCO Murray is the general contractor and Lord Aeck Sargent is the lead architect.
“Supporting quality of life initiatives helps build stronger communities that allow for more people to prosper, and when that happens, everyone wins.” said Jason Baldwin, Pinnacle Financial Partners regional president for Huntsville. “This partnership will make a significant positive impact on the community with Pinnacle’s brand of distinctive service and effective advice.”
Wellory Living is expected to open summer 2025.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our email newsletter to have all our smart stories delivered to your inbox.
