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The oldest known house on Shades Mountain will soon make way for one of the area’s first residential communities to be certified with eco-friendly building practices. NOTE: Click on the image above to see photos from the press conference and images of the house.

Yesterday Mike Wedgworth of Wedgworth Construction, Inc. and Dudley Reynolds of Alagasco spoke about the new 20-home residential development, to be known as Viridian, and a partnership between to the two companies for the project. The 10-acre property located in Vestavia Hills off Tyler Road is the site of a log cabin that dates back to 1819. Brick, stones, logs, flooring and doors from that structure will be salvaged and used in the new home construction. Natural gas service will be available for home heating, water heating and cooking. Vestavia Hills Mayor Scotty McCallum also attended the 2 p.m. news conference.

The homes of Viridian will be built to the standards of Level II Star EnergyKey certification, which requires tight construction and ducts, effective insulation, high performance windows, controlled air infiltration, upgraded heating and air conditioning, upgraded water heating equipment and efficient products. EnergyKey is a program designed by the Home Builders Association of Alabama. The homes will also to be built with sustainable and recycled building products.

Homes at Viridian will be available within one year and will be priced in the $600,000 range. Crews are currently clearing the property with the site plan calling for more than 30 percent of the natural landscape to remain in place.