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The green-building movement in the Triad has gained another disciple.

Developer Roy Carroll said Thursday he has nearly finished his first environmentally friendly project.

Carroll, one of the largest apartment builders in Guilford County, believes his new complex at 4048 Battleground Ave. will be the first in the Triad built to environmental standards set by the National Association of Home Builders.

He says he plans others.

"This is not a government mandate," Carroll said at a news conference at Battleground North Apartments. "It's market driven."

Carroll said he believes residents are willing to pay higher rents — about $20 a month more — to live in an environmentally friendly building, which in this case cost 3 percent to 4 percent more than standard construction.

"I think it is going to give us a market advantage," Carroll said. "I think there will definitely be a payback."

The NAHB guidelines call for higher energy efficiency, water conservation measures, efficient use of land, building techniques that conserve materials and improved indoor air quality.

Carroll said that between now and the end of 2008 he plans to build 5,500 apartments in North Carolina and South Carolina to the NAHB Model Green Building Guidelines.

After that, Carroll said he would review his company's progress.

"We may redouble our efforts," said Carroll, who is best known for his ongoing $40 million rehab of the former Wachovia building on North Elm Street downtown.

The Battleground North complex includes 288 one- and two-bedroom units in 12 buildings. Six of the buildings are finished. Some of the units are already occupied.

In addition to its other environmental features, Carroll said, the complex includes a lighted walkway to a nearby shopping center to encourage residents to walk rather than use their cars.

Initially, Carroll said, he considered building only a few units using green standards to test the demand.

"But as we dug further into the project, we all felt that this concept needed to be applied to all of the units," he said. "Most tenants today are very concerned about the environment."

Several other developers in the Triad have adopted green standards, including hotelier Dennis Quaintance, who is building the Proximity Hotel off Wendover Avenue.

It and other local buildings are using criteria set by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 or donpatterson@news-record.com