NATIONAL REPORT—Wyndham Worldwide’s headquarters has one. So does the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, Ill., the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway, the Hampton Inn Elmira/ Horseheads (Horseheads, N.Y.) and numerous other hotel properties. What they all have is a white roof—a solar-reflective white coating to help reduce temperatures inside and out during those times when the building is most vulnerable to the sun’s impact. Having a white coating on a rooftop instead of a black coating can have a significant positive environmental and cost impact, especially in warmer climates. A roof covered with solar-reflective white paint reflects up to 90...

MAUI, HAWAII—This summer will signify a new phase for Hyatt’s Andaz brand as it unveils Andaz Maui at Wailea, a resort reflective of and inspired by the destination of Maui, located on 15 pristine acres of southwestern coastline. The first resort for the Andaz brand, Andaz Maui at Wailea will remain true to the signature brand elements that define Andaz hotels around the globe, including offering inspiring experiences that celebrate Maui’s rich, local culture. From the design features and superior service, to the ocean views and relationships in the community, the Hawaiian spirit will be infused throughout the resort,...

IRVING, TEXAS—The Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB) announces the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas (ICCLC) project as the fifth convention center in the country to achieve LEED Silver certified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. “We had a distinct opportunity with the design and construction of the ICCLC to create a new icon for the destination that would set a standard, for sustainability as well as for a new category...

GREENWICH, CONN.—Starwood Capital Group announced the launch of two new hotel brands, the luxury brand Baccarat Hotels & Resorts, and the lifestyle eco-brand 1 Hotels & Resorts, with five hotel openings scheduled under the group’s hotel brand management company, SH Group. The initial five hotel openings will occur over the next 24 months and include: Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York, N.Y.; Baccarat Hotel Rabat, Morocco; 1 Hotel & Residences South Beach, Fla.; 1 Hotel Central Park, N.Y.; and 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge Park, N.Y.“With two revolutionary hotel brands entering the marketplace and five hotel openings in the next...

NEW YORK—Xero Flor America (XFA) announced the selection of the Xero Flor Green Roof System for the 292,000-square-foot green roof being installed atop the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York. With 840,000 gross square feet of exhibit space, the Javits Center is New York City’s largest convention center and hosts about 150 events annually. Headquartered in Durham, N.C., XFA is the official and exclusive distributor in the United States of the Xero Flor Green Roof System from XeroFlor Green Solutions, which is based in Germany.The Javits Center has embarked on a major renovation project that includes replacement...

RALEIGH, N.C.—Concord Hospitality Enterprises, one of the top-ranked hotel developer/owner/operators in North America, announced that it has stepped up its growth strategy for 2013 to include opportunistic acquisitions/divestments and third-party management in addition to continuing its aggressive development program. In 2012, the company committed more than $500 million to new development, and opened two hotels, while breaking ground on an additional six. For 2013, Concord expects to triple that performance by opening six hotels and breaking ground on 10. Looking ahead to 2014, Concord expects to open 12 newly developed hotels.“We have a very aggressive pipeline of 17 LEED-designed...

NEW YORK—Scottish artist Jephson Robb challenges the notion that beautiful objects cannot be practical with his Quiet collection. Conceived as a series of work and occasional tables where subtle details elevate the typical pedestal table to both sculpture and functional object, the Quiet collection will be introduced by Bernhardt Design in April 2013. “So often tables are either pretty little things to support a drink or newspaper, or they are workhorses that are functional, but unattractive,” according to Robb. “At first glance, these tables may appear to be just some new piece of eye candy, but once you come close...

ALPHARETTA, GA.—The Refinishing Touch, a leader in on-site environmentally safe and sustainable furniture refinishing and re-upholstering for private and public organizations, has expanded its Touch Textiles fabric division with a new eco-friendly recycled leather line, Embrace.Embrace recycled leather gives The Refinishing Touch’s customers, which include hospitality, government and education institutions, the benefits and aesthetics of traditional leather at a fraction of the cost. It also maintains The Refinishing Touch’s commitment to environmentally-responsible products and services. It is available immediately as part of The Refinishing Touch’s Touch Textiles fabric offerings.Touch Textiles is The Refinishing Touch’s line of commercial fabrics, adding...

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND—A new eco-friendly hotel, The Orchard, has opened for business on The University of Nottingham’s award-winning main campus. Designed to complement the University-owned De Vere Venues East Midlands Conference Centre next door, the $32 million hotel complex will provide top class accommodation on University Park with extensive facilities including a roof garden, brasserie and gym. The Orchard Hotel has been built to the highest environmental standards featuring state-of-the-art technology to minimize carbon emissions including a green roof, photovoltaic panels, energy-efficient lighting, heating and ventilation systems.“The University is proud to open The Orchard as a unique and environmentally-driven addition...

NEW YORK—Sina Pearson Textiles, the Manhattan-based design and manufacturing studio known for its innovative upholstery fabrics, introduces a duo of patterns for every space and situation. Allover and Anywhere work equally well indoors and outside, while simultaneously meeting the toughest ACT performance standards. Intended for both contract and residential use, Allover and Anywhere are sustainably woven in the United States with Sunbrella Contract yarns, offering enhanced durability, bleach cleanability and stain-resistance. The certified Greenguard finish is non-toxic and low-VOC. The new twosome is part of the All Spaces collection. Two patterns in a total of 16 colorways. Allover is a...