OBERLIN, OHIO—Oberlin College will soon construct a state-of-the-art hotel, restaurant, and conference center that will be named in honor of Peter B. Lewis, the late philanthropist and chairman of Progressive Insurance Co.The Peter B. Lewis Gateway Center will become the cornerstone of Oberlin’s Green Arts District, an ongoing development encompassing the northeast corner of North Main Street and East College Street. The Lewis Center project is a planned 100,000-square-foot, mixed-use development that will incorporate renewable energy systems, and it is designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Platinum rating. In addition to a 65-room hotel and conference...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Viridian Reclaimed Wood announced the introduction of a new range of tabletops, according to Viridian co-owner Joe Mitchoff. Cut to standard dimensions at Viridian’s own Portland fabrication facility, the company is introducing tabletops in its flagship Jakarta Market Blend (indoor and outdoor versions), Doug-fir beam, gym bleacher and white oak.“With total control over our tabletop fabrication, we can ensure the highest quality for our commercial customers,” Mitchoff said. “And our facility is close to our warehouse, which makes for shorter lead times and quicker turnaround.”Viridian’s tabletop line is offered in standard desk and restaurant sizes and rounds. Custom...

OCEANSIDE, CALIF.—The 149-suite SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Oceanside, Calif., is oficially open for business. The SpringHill Suites San Diego Oceanside/Downtown will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by GF Properties Group, LLC and managed by Sage Hospitality of Denver. The hotel has been designed to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. It is the newest SpringHill Suites to join the portfolio of Marriott properties that are designed to LEED standards, a voluntary rating program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council that provides third-party verification of green building. The SpringHill Suites San Diego Oceanside/Downtown is a...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.—Orlando’s newest lifestyle hotel—B Resort, located in the Walt Disney World Resort—is offering local artists and galleries the opportunity to showcase original works in its hotel. The resort is accepting submissions, now through March 15, from artists who wish to participate in this innovative program.The new “B Artistic Exhibit” will showcase the vibrant local art scene to travelers who come from around the world to Orlando’s bustling Tourism Corridor. Selected works from Central Florida’s artists and galleries will be prominently displayed in the pre-function area of the expansive meeting spaces. Guests will be able to purchase...

SHAWANO, WIS.—The NEWH Sustainable Hospitality Committee announces the return of Green Voice Conversations during the upcoming HD Expo in Las Vegas, May 14 to 16 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The live sessions will feature a combination of one-on-one interviews in The Social Hub booth #1955 during show hours open to all show attendees and a CEU-accredited panel discussion in the HD conference meeting rooms for paid conference pass holders.Green Voice is now in its third year, continuing to grow in scope and popularity each year. This year's sessions feature eight industry experts actively involved in sustainable practices...

CROSSVILLE, TENN.—Crossville, Inc. has launched SpeakEasy, a porcelain tile collection offering the look of authentic, old barn wood interpreted in a range of contemporary, large format plank sizes. With its modern take on time-worn wood’s appearance and texture, this line is designed for ease in selling, design and specification as an alternative to traditional hardwoods.According to Crossville’s V.P. of Marketing Lindsey Waldrep, the name of the product reflects Crossville’s intention to present a product that reinvents the wood look and is very simple to work with across commercial and residential markets.“SpeakEasy is all about ease of selection...a great option...

RESTON, VA.—The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) is expanding its commitment to promote sustainable environmental practices by recognizing dealers and retailers who sell cabinets certified by the KCMA Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP). Through a new Authorized ESP Dealer recognition program, retailers and dealers who sell ESP-certified cabinets are able to utilize a new, distinctive and proprietary logo in their advertising and promotional efforts. The new logo will help increase awareness of the ESP program and its environmental benefits, as well as facilitate brand recognition among customers.“The Authorized ESP Dealer program responds to growing consumer interest in products that are...

MCLEAN, VA.—Home2 Suites by Hilton, Hilton Worldwide’s mid-tier, all-suite hotel brand designed for modern business travelers and extended stay guests, announced the opening of its 29th hotel, Home2 Suites by Hilton Baltimore/Aberdeen. This marks the second Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified hotel in the brand’s portfolio. “We are excited to unveil our third property in the greater Baltimore area,” said Bill Duncan, global head, Home2 Suites by Hilton. “This market has proven to be a great fit for our Home2 Suites brand and we felt like Aberdeen was a perfect location for our brand. We...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released its second installment of the LEED in Motion report series: Places and Policies. The report states that there are nearly 60,000 LEED green building projects across the globe, spanning 10.6 billion square feet. Notably, Canada, India, China, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and Brazil lead the way for countries with the highest number of projects outside the United States.Available exclusively to USGBC’s 13,000 member organizations, the LEED in Motion report series is aimed at equipping green building professionals, advocates and proponents with the insight needed to make a strong case for...

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA—JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts has expanded its luxury portfolio in South Korea with the unveiling of the new 170-room JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul. The new hotel is the second JW Marriott to open in Seoul and the first hotel in the city to receive LEED Gold certification.“South Korea is a one of Asia’s fastest growing global economies and a strategically important North Asian travel hub,” said Simon Cooper, President & Managing Director of Asia Pacific for Marriott International. “JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul will further strengthen our luxury brand portfolio in this very important market...