Embassy Suites Hotels Announces Brand’s First LEED® Certified Hotel (United States)
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Embassy Suites Hotels Announces Brand’s First LEED® Certified Hotel (United States)
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Category: North America & West Indies / Carribean islands - United States - Exclusive experiences
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This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2011-08-16
Downtown Hotel Achieves LEED® Silver Certified Status - a First for Denver
Embassy Suites Hotels, the upscale, all-suites hotel brand, has announced that its Embassy Suites Denver-Downtown/Convention Center location achieved LEED® Silver certification, as recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It is the first hotel in the City of Denver and the first within the Embassy Suites brand to have earned this prestigious certification for sustainable building design, construction and operations.
“We are extremely proud to introduce the Embassy Suites brand’s first LEED Silver certified property,” said Jim Holthouser, global head of Embassy Suites Hotels and full service brands, Hilton Worldwide. “This significant certification recognizes the proactive efforts the owners, management team and construction partners made to design, build and operate a more efficient, green hotel in the heart of downtown Denver.”
The Embassy Suites Denver-Downtown/Convention Center received its LEED Silver certification on July 21, 2011. The hotel was developed by WMB IX, LLC with WPM Construction and is managed by Windsor Management Services.
“We are proud that the hard work and decisions made by the team have resulted in the stringent LEED certification at the Silver level,” said Bill Upshaw, President and COO of Windsor Management Services. “The owners, the builders, the management team and the brand were united in wanting to build and operate a green hotel, which offers important benefits including a healthier and safer environment for the lower operating costs, increased property value and, most importantly, a healthier and safer environment for the enjoyment of our guests and employees.”
Specifically, the hotel team:
proactively recycled scrap materials produced during construction
incorporated the concrete from the multi-story parking garage that was previously on the site into the new construction
placed solar reflective material on the roof to reduce heat transmission and lower the energy required to cool the building
used rapidly renewing materials such as bamboo
placed an energy-efficient glazing on all windows to reduce heat transmission and reduce the energy needed to cool the building
selected all plumbing, mechanical equipment and lighting systems to conserve water and use less energy
planned the hotel to maximize use of public transportation and provide preferred parking for low-emissions and fuel-efficient vehicles. Bicycle storage and a changing room are on site.
planned the hotel to operate using green housekeeping practices and efficient recycling practices
“With thousands of guests each year, Embassy Suites Denver-Downtown/Convention Center has a unique opportunity to educate each visitor about high-performance, energy-efficient, healthy green buildings,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “Embassy Suites’ new downtown Denver location is an important addition to the growing family of LEED certified buildings.”
The Embassy Suites Denver-Downtown/Convention Center has 403 guest suites and 14 meeting rooms, totaling more than 25,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space just steps away from the Colorado Convention Center. The property features a flowing water feature and a rich organic atrium accompanied by a soaring 13-story glass “sky curtain” allowing for abundant natural light. As with any Embassy Suites hotel, the property features complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, free snacks and beverages at its evening Manager’s Reception and spacious two-room suites with a separate bedroom and living area. Additional amenities include the Elements Restaurant and Bar, Starbucks, plans for an additional leased restaurant, a state-of-the-art fitness facility, indoor pool, free business center and full valet service with onsite parking.
As a part of Hilton Worldwide, Embassy Suites Hotels is currently rolling out the company’s proprietary LightStay™ system. By December 31, 2011, all 3,750 properties within Hilton Worldwide’s global portfolio of brands will use LightStay, making the company the first major multi-brand company in the hospitality industry to require property-level measurement of sustainability. LightStay, measures energy and water use and waste and carbon output at Hilton Worldwide properties around the globe. The system also analyzes performance across 200 operational practices, such as housekeeping, paper product usage, food waste, chemical storage, air quality and transportation. The company saved more than $29 million in utility costs in 2009 and the reductions conserved enough energy to power 5,700 homes for a year and reduce carbon output equivalent to taking 34,865 cars off the road.
To further demonstrate its environmental commitment, the Embassy Suites brand anticipates announcing its second LEED-certified hotel – the recently opened Embassy Suites Houston-Downtown – by the end of 2011.
About Embassy Suites Hotels
Founded in 1984, Embassy Suites Hotels defines the upscale, all-suites segment and today has 211 hotels, with more than 30 in the pipeline. With spacious two-room suites, engaging team members and an inviting atrium environment, guests are welcome to put their feet up and feel right at home. Embassy Suites’ complimentary, cooked-to-order breakfast helps guests gear up for their day, while the nightly Manager’s Reception with free appetizers and beverages offers guests a great way to wind down.
About Windsor Management Services
Windsor Management Services, a subsidiary of WCG Hotels, is an award winning, comprehensive hospitality management and development organization that manages full-service, upscale hotel properties throughout the United States. With more than 30 years of experience to call on, Windsor Management Services is known for unmatched results for its owners and unparalleled service for its guests delivered with a personal connection.
About LEED
The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. Nearly 40,000 projects are currently participating in the commercial and institutional LEED rating systems, comprising nearly 8 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 120 countries. In addition, more than 11,000 homes have been certified under the LEED for Homes rating system, with more than 52,000 more homes registered.
By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.
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