Conservative construction

COEUR d’ALENE — George and Conda Mitchell took lessons from countries

where energy is scarce and expensive when designing their latest

project.

Royal Arms 2, a 15-unit apartment complex at the corner of Fourth

Street and Anton Avenue, was built for low maintenance and high energy

efficiency.

“We use ductless heat pumps,” George said. “They are used in Israel,

the Mideast and Japan where it is more crowded.”

Mounted high on the wall, the units provide heating and air

conditioning for the whole apartment. Each of the one-bedroom units is

750 square feet, and the remotely controlled heating systems are

designed for 1,000 feet. In each bedroom is a small wall heater for

backup.

Four of the upper units in the two-story building also have loft

“bonus rooms,” for a total of 1,140 square feet, and an additional

Ramsond heat pump. Ceiling fans are included to help distribute the

air.

George said he researched the system and spoke with another landlord

who cut heating costs to $100 from $200 per month with electric

baseboard heaters by converting to the Ramsond system.

Another benefit to the systems was savings in construction costs.

Eliminating ductwork, and electrical service requiring only 110 amps

instead of 220 amps, saved $40,000 in construction costs.

That was a big deal, and only part of the cost savings in the project.

“We tried to build it four or five years ago and it didn’t pencil

out,” Conda said. With declines in material and labor costs, the

apartment construction is half the price now, she said.

One of the more unique characteristics of the apartments is the floor.

It is about as basic as it could be — concrete with the appearance of

tile.

“I hate having to replace the carpet every time (a tenant moves,” Conda said.

A variety of colors are used to stain the floor, which is masked off

before coloring to give the appearance of grout lines. A sealer and a

wax buffed hardens the floor, George said.

He was sold on the idea after visiting a concrete contractor’s

showroom finished the same way, and being impressed with the

durability, with dozens of construction workers walking on it every

day.

“People use throw rugs to design living areas,” George said.

The concrete floors accomplish another thing. They make the apartments

pet-friendly. That will be enhanced by the addition of another

uncommon entity, a couple of dog runs in the front yard.

The entire first floor is ADA approved for handicapped residents, who

have designated parking spaces with sidewalks that lead to their

doorway.

Mitchell Properties, the company the couple operates, also owns Royal

Arms at 11th Street and Front Avenue. He provides snow removal and

lawn maintenance.

“If you’re there, people know you care,” he said.

There will also be an on-site property manager and rental office.

The former concrete contractor made his job easier by leaving the

lower concrete walls bare, and using metal siding and roofing. The

design was built around common dimension 16-foot lumber to cut costs

and construction complexity even more.

Inside, knotty alder cabinets, dishwashers and stacked washers and

dryers are included in the rent, which will run $600 to $850.

Middle-age retired renters are the anticipated tenants, and for them

raised garden beds will be built out back. Each unit includes a

carport.

Final inspections are expected by the middle of this month, with

occupancy by April 1.

Open houses to recognize the subcontractors who cut their prices to

enhance the feasibility of the project will be held noon to 4:30 p.m.

Friday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Snacks and gifts from

suppliers, and information on the contractors and suppliers will be

available.

Information: 661-8572