Three Major U.S. Hotel Companies Green Their Headquarters
<p>Three of the largest U.S.-based hotel companies -- Hilton Hotels Corp., Wyndham Worldwide and Marriott International -- are now walking their green talk at their headquarters by making their home offices more eco-friendly.
Three of the largest U.S.-based hotel companies -- Hilton Hotels Corp., Wyndham Worldwide and Marriott International -- are now walking their green talk at their headquarters by making their home offices more eco-friendly.
Hilton just relocated its headquarters from Beverly Hills, Calif., to a LEED-Gold certified building in the Tysons Corner area of McLean, Va. Wyndham, which opened its headquarters in Parsippany, N.J., earlier this year, is pursuing LEED certification for Commercial Interiors for the new structure. Marriott International is seeking a LEED rating for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance for its home offices in Bethesda, Md.
“The opening of our new global headquarters marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in our company’s rich history,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton Hotels Corp., in a release about his company's move.
Hilton’s headquarters building is owned by the B.F. Saul Real Estate Investment Trust. The building received its LEED-Gold designation just two months ago, according a representative for the company.
What makes Hilton’s building LEED-worthy? It includes a reflective roof, low-flow plumbing fixtures that allow it to use 40 percent less water than a comparable non-LEED building, a 10,000-gallon cistern to capture rainwater and air conditioner condensate, sustainable wood in doors and lobby millwork, highly energy efficient windows, special parking for low-emitting vehicles, and showers for those who wish to bicycle to work. During construction of the 11-story, 323,000-square-foot building, 97 percent of waste from the project was diverted from the landfill.
Wyndham’s Headquarters Complex
Wyndham Worldwide’s headquarters also includes a reflective roof, and during its construction, about 80 percent of the waste was diverted from the local landfill.
Numerous elements contribute to the efficiency of the building. Heating and cooling systems are zoned, energy efficient lighting and motion sensor systems are complemented by large windows that maximize natural light, low-flow toilets and faucets help curb water consumption down, well water is used for irrigation, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint, carpeting and furniture is used throughout, and cubicle walls consist of recycled steel and aluminum and 100 percent recycled particleboard.
To encourage employees to drive less, the site includes a gym, green dry cleaner (Green Apple Organic Dry Cleaning), credit union, café and cafeteria, and a gift shop that stocks necessities such as milk and eggs. Bike racks and convenient access to public mass transit encourage alternate transportation.
According to Faith Taylor, vice president of sustainability and innovation for Wyndham Worldwide, such amenities and the excitement of working in a new, healthy building, have greatly boosted employee morale.
Wyndham is seeing a 10- to 30 percent improvement in efficiency at its headquarters. It was recently recognized as a “Green Pioneer” by ConEdison Solutions for its commitment to environmental preservation and for purchasing renewable energy. Wyndham’s headquarters is 100 percent powered by wind through ConEdison. (Hilton’s headquarters is 70 percent powered by green power.) Wyndham expects to earn a LEED-Silver rating for its headquarters building by early 2010.
Marriott Aims to Reduce Waste
As part of its efforts to green its headquarters, Marriott International is diverting 64 percent of its total waste from the landfill through recycling. The total waste stream has been reduced by 203 tons since 2006. Marriott headquarters is poised to save $65,000 over the next three years with the elimination of all disposables from the cafeteria. Marriott is shifting to biodegradable disposable containers in its cafeteria, and then ultimately migrating to all permanent-ware. Automatic, low-flow faucets and toilets have reduced Marriott’s total water consumption by 17 percent.
Energy efficient lighting has yielded $155,000 in electricity savings. Sustainable products, including paper and cleaning products, have eliminated in excess of 20 tons of waste annually. A building-wide program sends waste from perishables and other appropriate matter to a compost farm rather than a landfill. Through a partnership with Hertz Green Collection, Marriott has three hybrid cars parked in its lots for employees to use for meetings and appointments. Last year, Marriott announced its environmental strategy to address climate change, which it calls its “Spirit To Preserve.” Part of that plan calls for greening its $10 billion supply chain. Marriott expects to earn LEED certification for its headquarters by the end of this year. The company's growing portfolio of sustainable buildings includes some 30 that are under construction, being developed or being designed.
Glenn Hasek is the publisher and editor Green Lodging News, where this post originally appeared. Glenn can be reached at [email protected]
Top image courtesy of the Hilton Hotels Corporation.
Hilton just relocated its headquarters from Beverly Hills, Calif., to a LEED-Gold certified building in the Tysons Corner area of McLean, Va. Wyndham, which opened its headquarters in Parsippany, N.J., earlier this year, is pursuing LEED certification for Commercial Interiors for the new structure. Marriott International is seeking a LEED rating for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance for its home offices in Bethesda, Md.
“The opening of our new global headquarters marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in our company’s rich history,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton Hotels Corp., in a release about his company's move.
Hilton’s headquarters building is owned by the B.F. Saul Real Estate Investment Trust. The building received its LEED-Gold designation just two months ago, according a representative for the company.
What makes Hilton’s building LEED-worthy? It includes a reflective roof, low-flow plumbing fixtures that allow it to use 40 percent less water than a comparable non-LEED building, a 10,000-gallon cistern to capture rainwater and air conditioner condensate, sustainable wood in doors and lobby millwork, highly energy efficient windows, special parking for low-emitting vehicles, and showers for those who wish to bicycle to work. During construction of the 11-story, 323,000-square-foot building, 97 percent of waste from the project was diverted from the landfill.
Wyndham’s Headquarters Complex
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Wyndham Worldwide’s headquarters also includes a reflective roof, and during its construction, about 80 percent of the waste was diverted from the local landfill.
Numerous elements contribute to the efficiency of the building. Heating and cooling systems are zoned, energy efficient lighting and motion sensor systems are complemented by large windows that maximize natural light, low-flow toilets and faucets help curb water consumption down, well water is used for irrigation, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint, carpeting and furniture is used throughout, and cubicle walls consist of recycled steel and aluminum and 100 percent recycled particleboard.
To encourage employees to drive less, the site includes a gym, green dry cleaner (Green Apple Organic Dry Cleaning), credit union, café and cafeteria, and a gift shop that stocks necessities such as milk and eggs. Bike racks and convenient access to public mass transit encourage alternate transportation.
According to Faith Taylor, vice president of sustainability and innovation for Wyndham Worldwide, such amenities and the excitement of working in a new, healthy building, have greatly boosted employee morale.
Wyndham is seeing a 10- to 30 percent improvement in efficiency at its headquarters. It was recently recognized as a “Green Pioneer” by ConEdison Solutions for its commitment to environmental preservation and for purchasing renewable energy. Wyndham’s headquarters is 100 percent powered by wind through ConEdison. (Hilton’s headquarters is 70 percent powered by green power.) Wyndham expects to earn a LEED-Silver rating for its headquarters building by early 2010.
Marriott Aims to Reduce Waste
 |
As part of its efforts to green its headquarters, Marriott International is diverting 64 percent of its total waste from the landfill through recycling. The total waste stream has been reduced by 203 tons since 2006. Marriott headquarters is poised to save $65,000 over the next three years with the elimination of all disposables from the cafeteria. Marriott is shifting to biodegradable disposable containers in its cafeteria, and then ultimately migrating to all permanent-ware. Automatic, low-flow faucets and toilets have reduced Marriott’s total water consumption by 17 percent.
Energy efficient lighting has yielded $155,000 in electricity savings. Sustainable products, including paper and cleaning products, have eliminated in excess of 20 tons of waste annually. A building-wide program sends waste from perishables and other appropriate matter to a compost farm rather than a landfill. Through a partnership with Hertz Green Collection, Marriott has three hybrid cars parked in its lots for employees to use for meetings and appointments. Last year, Marriott announced its environmental strategy to address climate change, which it calls its “Spirit To Preserve.” Part of that plan calls for greening its $10 billion supply chain. Marriott expects to earn LEED certification for its headquarters by the end of this year. The company's growing portfolio of sustainable buildings includes some 30 that are under construction, being developed or being designed.
Glenn Hasek is the publisher and editor Green Lodging News, where this post originally appeared. Glenn can be reached at [email protected]
Top image courtesy of the Hilton Hotels Corporation.
