Boston Hostel, to Open in 2012, Will Aim for LEED Certification

Hostelling International's Boston hostel, which has served the Boston community and welcomed visitors for 25 years, will open in a new location in 2012. The $44 million project, according to Hostelling International New England, will be funded through a combination of Federal New Market and Historic Tax credits, private financing, owner equity including the sale of the existing facility, and other private support. The new, highly energy efficient building will be located adjacent to public transportation and in the heart of Boston's cultural district and theater district. The facility, which will pursue LEED certification, is expected to bring 46,000 visitors to the city each year, 30,000 of whom will be international visitors.

The new Boston hostel will be a landmark building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It will incorporate many green technologies including a green roof, green elevators, solar hot water heating, and shared amenities for guests. Add to this the fact that the new hostel will be within walking distance of major tourist destinations in the city and the environmental impact of each guest will minimal.

Once the new Boston hostel is completed, it will join the Planet Traveler hostel in Toronto as one of North America's greenest hostels. I wrote about the Planet Traveler hostel in October 2010. See article.

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