South Beach in Miami Beach was the site last week of the opening of the first 1 Hotel. The opening was a long time coming; the eco-conscious “1” concept was first introduced by Starwood Capital Group in 2006. The recession put a temporary stop to development. Today, in addition to the South Beach hotel, which was designed by Meyer Davis Studio, there are 1 Hotels in development in Central Park (to open in late spring) and Brooklyn Bridge Park (opening end of 2015). Each of the hotels will be LEED certified. Starwood Capital Group is the parent of SH Group, a lifestyle hotel brand management company that will manage the hotels.
The 426-room 1 Hotel & Homes South Beach (includes 163 private residences) is the result of the renovation of an existing 1970s building. The inside and outside of the building were designed with nature and wellness in mind. Guests are welcomed with 3,000 feet of living wall wrapped around the exterior with 11,000 local tropical plant varieties and playful art as nature pieces such as interactive hanging terrariums and a plant laboratory from local Miami artisans Plant the Future. The aim of the architecture, landscape and design is to bring the outdoors in.
“It’s simple,” said Barry Sternlicht, Chairman and CEO, Starwood Capital Group, in a press release regarding the launch of the first 1 Hotel. “We have an impact on nature and nature has an impact on us. I decided that if I was ever going to create another hotel, I wanted it to be more than a brand; I wanted it to be a cause. People are already living like this and are now looking for ways to travel in the same fashion.”
Emphasis on Reclaimed, Natural Materials
The South Beach hotel, as with the others, features reclaimed and natural materials wherever possible. For example, Colorado beetle kill pine was used to create headboards and Ipe wood from the property’s original boardwalk was used to cover the redesigned pool deck.
Each 1 Hotel includes energy efficient heating and cooling systems, motion sensors, LED lighting to reduce electrical demand and heat build-up from lighting, and low V.O.C paints, adhesives, sealants and finishes. Triple Clear Water filters are used in all taps, sinks, and showers. Low-flow plumbing fixtures conserve water.
Guestrooms and suites at every 1 Hotel feature custom hemp-blend Keetsa mattresses topped with hypoallergenic 100 percent organic linens. Hangers are made from recycled paper. Yoga mats are provided for guests to achieve zen at their own leisure. Natural stones engraved with “not now” are for guests to place outside the door to replace the traditional “do not disturb” door hanger. The daily operation of the hotels has been carefully orchestrated to mitigate paper consumption and reduce landfill waste.
Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles
Signature brand amenities available at each property include: Tesla premium electric car service for guest transportation within a pre-set radius, complimentary bicycle valet, complimentary parking for guests who bring their own electric vehicles, complimentary wi-fi, and digital newspapers on an in-room device.
1 Hotels has partnered with celebrated chefs united by a common focus on ingredients, seasonality and responsible sourcing from local purveyors. Each chef will showcase his signature culinary sensibilities in individual, distinct spaces. Chef Tom Colicchio will oversee three food and beverage programs and in-room dining at 1 Hotel & Homes South Beach. Beachcraft will highlight Florida’s best fisherman and farmers. This May, the property will introduce 1 Kitchen: Organic Food And Juice Bar by Spring Cafe. The restaurant will promote health, wellness and sustainability through inventive plant-based cuisine, inspired by the vision of Aspen’s 100 percent organic Spring Cafe. 1 Kitchen will offer seasonal and locally sourced dishes cooked with organic cold pressed oils, sea salt and fresh herbs; fresh and cold pressed juices; and sweets using only spelt, almond and oat flours. Once a month a farmstand in each hotel’s lobby will feature local farmers and purveyors presenting their goods for purchase by guests and the community.
Sternlicht’s team is creating highly unique, healthy green spaces for lodging, dining and living. It is exciting to see someone like Sternlicht make such a strong commitment to sustainable design and development. Our industry needs more leaders like him. Expect to read more about 1 Hotels in the weeks and months ahead.
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As of April 1, 2015 Green Lodging News will be based in a new location. Our new address will be: 15301 Hidden Arbor Ct., Odessa, FL 33556. Our telephone numbers will remain the same. Our office number: (813) 510-3868. Mobile: (216) 702-0334.
Who is Your Sustainability Champion?
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Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
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