PHILADELPHIA—The Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, LLC’s first LEED registered hotel and its 48th overall—the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia—will open on October 14 in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood of the City of Brotherly Love. The $92.5 million, 230-room boutique hotel will be Kimpton’s first in Philadelphia. The 24-story property will occupy the Architects Building, which was the former home of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. It was first built in 1929 and historic elements have been preserved. The hotel’s designer is Powerstrip Studio. According to Peggy Trott, general manager, Kimpton is pursuing a LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Silver rating.
More than 50 percent of waste was diverted from the landfill during construction. New, energy-efficient mechanical systems were installed. Recycled materials were used wherever possible—in floor tiles and the ceiling, for example. Low-flow fixtures in bathrooms will keep water consumption to a minimum. A water filtration system will eliminate on-property use of bottled water. The 100 percent nonsmoking hotel will also include in-room recycling containers.
The Hotel Palomar Philadelphia’s Square 1682, the on-site restaurant, will focus on sustainable cuisine. To support the Philadelphia community, the designer selected two pieces from local artists for the hotel’s lobby. Organic and/or Fair Trade coffee and tea will be served at the hotel and organic snacks and beverages will be available in in-room honor bars. Here are some additional examples of green programs that will be in place at the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia:
• Luxury, eco-friendly bath amenities;
• Recycling program for cups, clothes hangers, batteries and more;
• Rooms and linens cleaned with eco-certified cleaning supplies;
• Towel and linen reuse program;
• Guestroom energy management system;
• Guest and employee dry cleaning service will use eco-friendly methods and products;
• Unused and partially used bath amenities will be donated to community programs; and
• Paperless guest check-in/out service will reduce hotel paper use.
Approximately 60 to 90 days after opening, Kimpton will know the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia’s final LEED status.
Go to the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia.
Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
