NEWBERG, ORE.—The Allison Inn & Spa will open September 26 in Newberg in the heart of Oregon’s wine country. Set on 35 acres, the 85-room (with 20 suites) property was designed by GGLO, Seattle, and is owned by Newberg-based Springbook Properties, Inc. The owners expect to earn a LEED Gold designation from the U.S. Green Building Council for the project. The Allison Inn & Spa is a four-level structure consisting of 154,000 square feet of building space. The east wing is dedicated to guestrooms. The west wing is home to the conference and event space. The inn’s lobby, restaurant and kitchen are located on the main level and the spa, fitness suite and pool are located on the spa level, one floor below.
Up on top of the inn, a 10,000-square-foot green (sedum) roof will slow down and filter storm water runoff. A series of photovoltaic panels generating 55 kilowatts of power on the remaining roof will generate 7 percent of the electricity needed by the inn. Solar rooftop collectors will heat water to help reduce the energy needed for the hot water for the inn’s kitchen, laundry, guestrooms and spa. Water-efficient plumbing fixtures and kitchen equipment will reduce demand for water heating.
To minimize the amount of energy used for inn heating and cooling, a variable refrigerant volume system was installed. In addition, software used at the front desk will allow personnel to deactivate electricity and set back heating and cooling in unoccupied rooms. The following are some additional steps that have been taken to ensure a healthy, efficient structure:
• Cleanup of an abandoned underground gasoline storage tank included rehabilitation of the area into a lush estate garden;
• Guestrooms will not have print directories—guests will access property information through the television;
• All of the artwork on property has been made by Oregon-based artists;
• Extensive native and adaptive vegetation used throughout promotes biodiversity;
• Low impact five-acre working vineyard utilizes Integrated Pest Management and is managed by a certified vintner;
• Restored woodland along the northern boundary of the property provides habitat and promotes biodiversity;
• Interior and exterior lighting design minimizes light pollution to reduce impact on nocturnal environments;
• Low-flow showerheads, faucets, urinals, and high efficiency toilets reduce water use in public areas and guestrooms;
• From landscaping to durable concrete and masonry, preference was given to local Materials;
• More than 70,000 plants and trees have been brought onto the property;
• Products ranging from metal framing to carpet tile contribute a high level of recycled Content;
• Low emitting paints, sealants, carpeting, and cabinetry combined with natural daylighting contribute to the health of the indoor environment;
• FSC wood products promote responsible forestry and support the local economy; and
• Rapidly renewable aspen fiber flooring enriches the spa while reducing the demand on old growth timber.
“We will also be growing our own vegetables on one acre,” says Pierre Zreik, managing director, The Allison Inn & Spa. “And, we will have our own herb garden.”
The 84-seat Jory restaurant will pay tribute to Oregon’s agricultural bounty, acclaimed wines, microbrews and hand-crafted distilled spirits.
Zreik says The Allison Inn & Spa, which has been in the planning stages for five years, will fill a lodging void in the Newberg area.
“There is literally nothing at this level in this area,” he says.
Go to The Allison Inn & Spa.
Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
