Luxury Condo + Green Technology + NY = Riverhouse

A geothermal system heats and cools the building. High-efficiency hot water heaters. An onsite escape called the Treehouse Getaway. Situated in Battery Park City, the 264-unit condominium called the Riverhouse offers an array of cutting edge amenities and green technology features. You certainly won't be disappointed if you've chosen this luxury condo as your green sanctuary. Just ask celebrities, like Leonardo Di Caprio, who have already claimed a sustainable space to call their own. From very start of the building process to the extravagant amenities afforded to residents, the Riverhouse certainly makes it much harder to leave the comforts of your home. Just some of the features of the Riverhouse to consider when shopping for a luxury condo in the New York City region, include: Eco-Friendly Building Process: Built from non-pollutant materials and relying on solar-powered energy, the Riverhouse also supported local products to decrease fuel consumption. Photovoltaic Cells: Following the Sun's path as it travels across the sky, photovoltaic cells supply electricity to the elevators and utilities of the Riverhouse. Water Recycling: Separate plumbing lines makes the most out of the condo's water use. "Gray water" (from baths, showers and kitchens) is reused in the gardens. "Black water" is treated and then recycled. Triple-Pane Window System: An all-weather dream, the space between the innermost and middle panes provides vented cool air circulation during warm days. To prepare for a winter in New York, the vent closes and the space between the panes serve as an additional thermal barrier against cold air. Putting Greenery to Good Use: Plants decorate the roof of the condominium, in an effort to naturally reduce the temperature of the building and place less stress on the city's sewer system by capturing rainwater and putting it to good use. Hanging Out: The Billiards Room allows friendly games between residents to take place. Shoot a little 8-Ball or challenge your neighbor to a chess match – all while surrounded by gorgeous, spacious views. Indoor 50' Lap Pool: Enjoy less-irritating waters. With ultraviolet light killing bacteria, the Riverhouse has reduced its need to use harsh chemicals, like chlorine. 5 Things to Do at the Riverhouse The Riverhouse makes it convenient for busy, on-the-go New Yorkers to find time to accomplish a range of activities without ever having to travel across town or step outside the coziness of their residence.

• Check your email at the media café
• Sculpt rock-hard abs at the fitness center
• Center yourself at the yoga studio
• Pamper resident pooches at the dog spa
• Let the kids burn off excess energy at the children's playroom

Average Price: One-bedroom ($835,000) Five-bedroom ($8 million) Image Credits: The Riverhouse

Celebrities as Eco-Spokespeople

Celebrities have the power to make the entire world stop, look and listen. Sifting through the pages of magazines, we take guilty peeks into their lives and absorb their fashion sense, hairstyles, eating habits, and late-night haunts. Today, we will take a look at some of the eco-friendly lifestyle choices and products that some of your favorite actors, actresses and musicians have embraced over the years – proving the rich and famous can ignite not only the entertainment industry, but also the environmental movement. Cameron Diaz Spreading the word on an important cause and having a decent chunk of the world listen to you is a rather significant gift for a celebrity to possess. Cameron Diaz has been using her star power for many years to promote the Toyota Prius, the use of solar cells in her home, and offsetting carbon use during travel. Hint: She actually calculates how much carbon she uses and then purchases credits from an alternative energy source and plants trees to offset her use. A new eco-documentary is also set to hit the scene, as Diaz travels around the world questioning people's knowledge on environmental issues. Her impact and involvement doesn’t stop there – as she's penned an eco-friendly how-to manual called "Green Book," offering tips on living green. Inside, you'll find 700 solutions to everyday obstacles and lifestyle choices, including information on travel, beauty products, household items, and sporting goods. Leonardo di Caprio From famously driving energy efficient cars to buying an eco-friendly condo in New York City, Leonardo di Caprio (of Titanic fame), can definitely teach you a thing or two about living an earth-friendly lifestyle. He's focused on educating the world on their impact on the environment through mediums, such as his eco-documentary 11th Hour. Besides serving as the co-producer, writer, and narrator of the documentary, he's also partnered with Discovery Networks' Planet Green on projects, like documenting the green rebuilding of a town devastated by a tornado. Adrian Grenier If you're a fan of Entourage, then you probably already have eyes for what Adrian Grenier's character is going to do next. However, outside of the lights, camera, action of Hollywood, Grenier has played an active role in going green and spreading the word. From his own show on the Planet Green channel (Alter Eco) and hosting the Charity: Water Ball to raise money for safe drinking water for developing countries, he's an eco-spokesperson to watch out for in the coming years. Brad Pitt Rebuilding New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina is still a daunting task, but Brad Pitt has embraced a different approach to lending a helping hand. Donating $5 million of his own cash, Pitt supports Make It Right, an adopt-a-green-home campaign concentrated in the Lower 9th Ward. With every $150,000 raised, a family receives a brand new home – eco-friendly, disaster-proof, and one prepared for another hurricane, as the houses even float. To see a complete home, click here. Woody Harrelson He lives in an earth-friendly home and now he wants to share his eco-sense of style with the rest of the world. Woody Harrelson (of White Man Can't Jump) has leaped into a new project that takes place outside the silver screen. Pairing with musician Alanis Morissette, he's not releasing an album, but instead, an eco-friendly line of denim jeans called Reco Jeans – made from 50% recycled material. Ana Ortiz Spreading the word on eco-friendly baby accessories for expecting mothers is actress Ana Ortiz of Ugly Betty. Appearing in a recent issue of US Weekly, Ortiz shared her choices in baby products used to decorate her nursery. On her list, organic bedding from Giggle and Ducduc furniture fashioned from sustainable wood. Honorable Mentions

• Hilary Duff – Has donated to Hurricane Katrina victims, became an ambassador for Return to Freedom (sanctuary for wild horses), and is active in USA Harvest, which collects and transports surplus food from restaurants and suppliers to missions and soup kitchens.
• Jay-Z and Beyonce – As founder of UN's Water for Life, Jay-Z participates in an organization that aims to provide clean drinking water to people worldwide. Much more than a pretty face and singer, Beyonce has worked with Second Harvest, which is part of a food-bank network.
• Josh Harnett – Active in Global Cool, Harnett participates in a charity that encourages billions of people to reduce their carbon footprints over the next 10 years.

Interesting Fact Tobey Maguire – Did you know that Spiderman has been a vegetarian for 14 years? An official ban has been placed in the Maguire household. If you come wearing leather products, you must leave your belts and shoes by the door. Image Credits: RecoJeans, ducduc