Each Friday, Robbie Briggs, president and CEO of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty, writes about luxury, trends, business and more in the advertising pages of the Mansion section of The Wall Street Journal. Below is his letter of September 25, 2020.  From My Perspective Your healthier new house Did you know that homes are going way beyond green? For years, we have — very gratefully — seen more homes built or remodeled using sustainable materials, energy-efficient windows, energy-efficient appliances, even geothermal and solar HVAC systems. But, now, there is a real mindfulness toward homes that actually contribute to your health — homes that manage light, air and sound. We were seeing this trend before the pandemic, and I think it’s something that should become the norm, ASAP. We represent some standout healthy homes. Take our 5923 Park Lane in Preston Hollow. Not only is this beautiful new house a modern twist on French Country style, it is also one of the healthiest homes you could imagine. Created by Milan Design + Build, its 8,500 square feet are climate-controlled by seven Trane HVAC systems that have high-efficiency furnaces and Trane CleanEffects™ air cleaners, which remove up to 99.98 percent of airborne particles. That makes them eight times more effective than even the best HEPA room filters, and up to 100 times more effective than a standard one-inch filter. The house also has an unusual, aerated concrete subfloor for the second floor, which does several things: It keeps sound from transferring to the level below; it improves the home’s strength; and it fully dries should there ever be a water leak, eliminating the need to remove any wet or potentially molded wood. Even the pier-and-beam foundation under this home is health-conscious: Its bottom layer is 100-percent concrete, where most are rocks and dirt, which can turn moldy or musky when the water table rises and falls, and potentially create health issues for those inside.

We also represent Hall Arts Residences, the 28-story luxury high-rise now open in the Dallas Arts District. The building has many health-focused features, including multilevel air filtration, sound-deadening floor membranes and interior-design palettes that optimize light, to maximize comfort. In fact, it is the first residential tower in Texas registered for WELL Certification, a global health-rating system developed from scientific and medical research. Some of the additional wellness features at Hall Arts Residences include microbe and mold control; natural social distancing with floor-destination elevators; and health and fitness offerings that can help strengthen immune systems.

I’m telling you: Healthy homes are the future. Talk to your real estate agent first, then your architect, builder or contractor. They can help put you in a healthy house that will have you breathing easier, and maybe living easier, too. Robbie Briggs President and CEO Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty rbriggs@briggsfreeman.com