Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, the first LEED registered hotel of the Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant Group, features energy-efficient mechanical systems, low-flow fixtures, a water filtration system to eliminate on-property use of bottled water, and in-room recycling containers.
The $92.5 million renovation of the 1929-built, 230-room boutique hotel diverted more than 50% of waste from landfill during construction, and used recycled materials wherever possible, including floor tiles and the ceiling. The hotel’s restaurant, Square 1682, will focus on sustainable cuisine, and organic and/or Fair Trade coffee and tea will be served at the hotel, as well as organic snacks and beverages for in-room honor bars.
Peggy Trott, general manager at Kimpton, in an interview to Green Lodging News, said that the hotel chain is pursuing LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance-Silver rating. Kimpton expects to hear about the property’s final LEED status about 60-90 days after it opens on October 14, 2009.
On the other hand, Hilton’s new 11-story, 323,000 square feet global headquarters in McLean, Virginia, meets the highest environmental standard for design, construction and operation. During construction of the B.F. Saul Real Estate Investment Trust-owned building, of which Hilton occupies about one-third, 97% of construction waste was diverted from landfill.
Other green building features of the headquarter comprises a reflective roof, low-flow plumbing that reduces water use by 40% compared to a non-LEED building, energy-efficient windows, sustainable wood in doors and lobby millwork, and a 10,000-gallon cistern for rainwater and air conditioner condensate capture.
