LUX changes name, stays sustainable

Since its redevelopment was first approved in February 2013, the lot at 602 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. has undergone many changes.

The once undeveloped lot is now home to three, six-story, connected buildings that can house more than 600 students each year.

And the complex, which was originally slated to be called The Bicycle Apartments, is now LUX at Central Park.

“It seemed like it was an important part of what they sold us,” said Jim Ward, Chapel Hill Town Council member.

"The location was good for students and they could walk and bike — that all made sense with the name Bicycle.”

Maggie Engellenner, a LUX resident and a junior public relations major, said she loves her apartment but thought there was more to the name change than originally said.

“They advertised themselves as a very green community where everyone was going to be riding bikes, recycling and doing very energy efficient things,” Engellenner said. “To me, it kind of sounded like after they got their permits they took a new direction and wanted it to be more modern.”

But Engellenner said she appreciated the complex’s efforts to go green with the addition of racks and indoor storage units for bicycles.

“It’s very nice — it’s very beautiful — and we still recycle,” she said. “There are still things that are green about LUX.”

LUX is no longer named The Bicycle Apartments, but the complex’s developers said fast and easy transportation to and from campus remains important.

“It’s a great location,” said Travis Vencel, vice president of development at Trinitas, the company that developed LUX at Central Park.

“We found out that we had some issues using the name from a legal standpoint.”

Ward said changing the name shouldn’t matter.

“With LUX, you know, that could just be a name change,” he said. “It’s not part of the special issues permit.”

The town council has the ability to mandate if companies stick with the name agreed upon, Ward said.

“I don’t think we should do that,” he said. “The place may need to change for how they want to package it and how they want to advertise.”

Ward said how the complex was pitched to the council fit into the larger vision of the Chapel Hill 2020 plan, which called for the town council to make a concerted effort to approve developments that would make Chapel Hill a more connected, walkable and bikeable community.

“We’re trying to shape Chapel Hill into a place where you can move your life without depending on a car. That means walking, biking, public transportation,” Ward said. “This seemed to be a project that fit into that.”

Sonal Raval, another LUX resident and a junior, said she was never aware of the complex’s original name. Proximity was the primary reason she chose to move there.

“I think it was the location especially — that it was close enough for me to walk or take the bus or take the shuttles they were going to provide,” Raval said.

She said there are other environmentally friendly things about LUX.

“All the appliances are high efficiency,” Raval said. “And I’m pretty sure the lightbulbs were the good ones you’re supposed to be using.”

Engellenner added that recycling is encouraged by the recycling bins present on each floor of LUX.

“They’re always packed full with beer cans and pizza boxes. I don’t know if it’s a Chapel Hill thing, but people are generally very good about it here.”

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