the essence of sustainability

Envision a city that generates 25% of its electricity from renewable sources; grows its own food; collects rainwater for irrigation and only landscapes with drought resistant plants and grasses. A city that uses recycled materials at every level of construction; develops and tests new technology and creates 20,000 new jobs.

It’s possible. It’s economically feasible. It’s second nature.

Welcome to St. Charles—the model for 21st century green living. St. Charles proves that, when planned thoughtfully, a city can stimulate the economy in a way that also protects and nurtures the natural environment, all while creating an enduring community for generations to come. Read More

our vision: Make St. Charles the international model for 21st century smart, green and growing communities

1. Create the model 21st century live-work-play community that is an international center for green employment, education, research and development, and incubation
2. Double in size to 24,730 housing units, while reducing our co2 energy footprint by 135 million pounds and our water consumption by 140 million gallons, saving the average home $6,800 annually in energy, water, and transportation costs
3. Design and build quality, desirable homes, apartments, commercial buildings, and neighborhoods that cost less and perform better
4. Enable a living laboratory that invites innovation, tests and evaluates progress, and shares its results with the world
5. Foster a sustainable, profitable business model that works in concert with a sustainable environment
6. Make ethos of conservation second nature among residents and businesses alike
7. Improve quality of life, education, safety, security, wellness, and health
8. Create a sense of place for residents and businesses of St. Charles, which results in a feeling of attachment and pride and promotes our desirability and appeal to prospective residents and businesses

our history ahead of the times

Innovation at St. Charles began long before the idea of green or sustainable building. St. Charles became one of the first Federal “new towns” designated under the 1968 Federal Housing Act. Since its inception, St. Charles has been designed and constructed to provide all the conveniences of the modern day in one thriving, self-sustaining community.

So today, the idea of a fully green community is a natural next step for St. Charles.

our areas of focus