MCLEAN, VA.—Home2 Suites by Hilton, the newest and fastest growing brand in the history of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of brands, announced it will build its first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified hotel in Lexington Park, Md. As the brand’s fifth U.S. property to break ground, this will also be the first LEED certified hotel in Southern Maryland.
Scheduled for completion in Q1 2012, the 100-suite, four-story hotel will be owned by Lexington Park Hotel Partners III and managed by Cherry Cove Hospitality Management, LLC. The hotel will be constructed by Herman/Stewart Construction of Lanham, Md., one of the region’s premier hotel builders. Herman/Stewart has extensive experience in LEED certified hospitality construction. The construction and permanent financing is being provided by Old Line Bank, headquartered in Bowie, Md.
The new property is aiming for a silver level of LEED accreditation, which is one tier higher than basic accreditation. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building was designed and built using strategies intended to improve performance in metrics. There are four different levels of building certification, based on a point system focused on six main categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, quality internal environment, and innovation and design.
Already Committed to Sustainability
Even without LEED certification, Home2 Suites was developed with a specific commitment to sustainability. Appointments will include low-flow showers and faucets, CFL light bulbs, dual-flush toilets, recycled flooring, saline pools, Energy Star appliances, and carpet, material and surfaces made from recycled product and other sustainable product selections. Hotels will also use real dishes, glasses and mugs instead of disposable place settings, and landscaping will feature indigenous plants, which significantly minimizes water usage and irrigation needs.
“The prototype for Home2 Suites already gets owners pretty close to LEED certification,” said Brian Norris, COO for Cherry Cove Hospitality. “The building is designed to be naturally economically competitive. We’re proud to be the first LEED-certified property for Home2 Suites, as we know more and more consumers are paying attention to ‘going green’ when they stay in a hotel. This provides a socially responsible extended-stay option for those who want to do their part for the environment. It gives them just one more reason to choose Home2 Suites.”
In addition to the sustainability practices and products already put into place, the Lexington Park location plans to move into LEED-certifiable territory on these merits:
• An energy model that is projected to save 32 percent in annual energy costs;
• Storm Water controls to absorb rainwater back into the ground, rather than running directly to the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem;
• An automated pool cover to retain energy and chemicals when the pool is closed;
• Hotel’s size in relation to site size;
• Close proximity to bike routes and easy public access; and
• Underground parking area that will help reduce the impervious footprint of the facility and its heat island effect.
Homes2 Suites executives joined with community leaders in Lexington Park at the groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the milestone. One hundred potted Eastern White pine tree saplings, tagged with the message,‘Home2 Suites, watch us grow,’ were given to everyone in attendance.
“Home2 Suites is a product that offers style and comfort, but possibly the most important aspect of the brand and what I’m proudest of, is its commitment to sustainability,” said Bill Duncan, global head for Home2 Suites. “This is an exciting milestone for the brand and will be a nice addition to the Lexington Park community.”
Participant in LightStay Program
As a part of Hilton Worldwide, Home2 Suites is currently rolling out the company’s proprietary LightStay system. By December 31, 2011, all 3,600 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 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.
The first Home2 Suites is located in Fayetteville, N.C., and is scheduled to open in Q1 2011. There are approximately 75 Home2 Suites planned and another 30 in the development stage.
Go to Home2 Suites by Hilton.
