The latest addition to the Ballard building boom is Hjarta condominiums. Contracted by private developers PrydeJohnson, the eight story, 79-unit mixed use building will be at the site of the old Key Bank on Market Street and will be the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building in a Seattle neighborhood, said Curt Pryde, co-owner of PrydeJohnson at the project groundbreaking ceremony last week.

Hjarta, from the Icelandic word for 'heart,' will house 6,000 square feet of retail on the ground level with Key Bank as their "anchor tenant," said Pam Perry of Parsons Public Relations. The building will stand at 85 feet and be the tallest building yet in Ballard, with 131 underground parking spaces in total, including 15 specifically for the retail spaces. Hjarta will offer 1,2 and 3 bedroom units starting and $300,000.

PrydeJohnson is attempting to reach the LEED Silver level, which allows for higher density development and will mean the building and products used will meet certain environmental standards.

LEED is a certification process administered by the U.S. Green Building Council, which seeks to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible. Some of the LEED requirements include reducing water use by 50 percent by planting native plants and installing a drip irrigation system.

The developments' permeable paving technology will help to reduce storm water runoff, said Perry.

"The technology allows rain water that usually would go through the storm drain and out into the Sound to seep through the pavement and recharge natural aquifers," said Perry.

The LEED certification is about a one to two percent additional cost, but the numbers show the money can be regenerated in a short amount of time, said Fawn Johnson, co-owner of PrydeJohnson. But Johnson said even if they don't make the money back quickly, it would be worth it to produce a sustainable building.

"Cities are living, breathing and changing beings, and when they stop thriving they can die," said Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, during his speech at the ceremony.

Director of the Seattle Department of Planning and Development, Diane Sugimura, announced that Seattle is No. 1in the nation in terms of LEED certified building.

"People feel wonderful about the place they have chosen to live," said Nickels. "This city is being looked at across the world as a model for sustainable living."

Ballard has become a hot commodity for developers around the city and state, as evidenced with 10 condo, hotel and mixed-use buildings sprouting up in the core of Ballard. But Pryde and Johnson, a husband and wife team, believe they have an edge over the other developments in terms of their connection and dedication to the community.

"This project is about renewal and pursuing what we are most passionate about -- recognizing and respecting the people who have lived here for generations," said Pryde. The character and the heritage of Ballard drew them here to build and invest in thriving Ballard, said Pryde.

"It just makes sense to build here," said project manager Jim Bender. "You've got everything in place, transit, utilities, shops, banks and grocery stores. People are moving back to Seattle and it all depends on quality buildings."

"(Ballard) is a real solid neighborhood and has been around a very long time," said Johnson who grew up in Green Lake and often visited her aunts in Ballard as a child. "It's so close to downtown. The monorail was a real draw of course, but I think the bus service will be adequate and the mayor has said he is dedicated to investing in the neighborhood infrastructure. I think (the city) will recognize the need to provide public transit to service this unique neighborhood and the residents will demand it."

The city is in the early stages of conducting a study to see how best to serve Ballard's transit needs, said Patrice Gillespie Smith of the Seattle Department of Transportation.

"We are trying to look at all the needs of the different kinds of residents," she said. "We are aware there is a demand and are planning for the growth happening in Ballard. We are aware we need to offer alternatives to the car."

Pryde and Johnson have also purchased the old Ballard Library site on 24th Avenue Northwest. That project is still in design and planning phases, but Pryde confirmed that it would also be a mixed use building but isn't sure if it will house condos or apartments.

"We really want to look at the neighborhood and talk to the community to figure out their needs," said Pryde.

"That's a part of what we are looking for, we are not interested in short term relationships," said Johnson.

Other PrydeJohnson projects include a cottage community in the Green Lake neighborhood and several mixed-use developments in Capitol Hill, Roosevelt and on Dexter Avenue. All of these projects will seek LEED Silver certification, said Bender.

Pryde and Johnson plan to manage the retail space and a condominium association will manage the tenants.

The developers said that whenever possible they would use locally produced materials and recycle more than three-quarters of the construction waste generated. Hjarta is slated to open in about 18 months.