ASHEVILLE, N.C.—The Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park announced that it has been awarded LEED Silver certification established 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. “The Hilton Asheville is a great example of how to combine sustainability with exceptional features and amenities to create a memorable guest experience,” said Ron Storto, vice president of hotel development with Biltmore Farms LLC. “From a destination spa and fine dining to eco-conscious products and operations, this new addition to...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and the Washington Convention and Sports Authority (WCSA) broke ground Wednesday, November 10 on the Washington Marriott Marquis. Joining them for this occasion were Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), city officials, representatives from WCSA’s board of directors, Quadrangle Development, Capstone Development, Marriott International, Inc. and Destination DC. The ceremony took place on the construction site at Ninth Street and Massachusetts Avenue, directly adjacent to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The hotel, which was designed to earn LEED Silver (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, is scheduled to open in spring 2014. “This is...

CROSSVILLE, TENN.—Urban Renewal by Crossville combines the beauty of real metal accent and trim pieces with a dimensional composite body, which means that although it has the look of heavy metal, the tile is actually lightweight and easy to install.  And, in keeping with its name, Urban Renewal has a 50 percent post-consumer recycled content, which has been certified by Scientific Certification Systems. Designed by color forecaster Barbara Schirmeister, ASID, DC, CAUS, for both commercial and residential installations, Urban Renewal is suitable for interior and exterior vertical applications, such as backsplashes, bathroom and shower walls, fireplace surrounds and feature walls....

PASADENA, CALIF.—Because of its commitment to sustainability, the expanded Pasadena Convention Center has been awarded LEED Gold certification, making it one of only three U.S. convention centers to earn the prestigious Gold designation. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute, is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance buildings.  “We are proud to be one of the greenest convention centers in North America,” said Pasadena Center Operating Company CEO Michael Ross. “It is enticing to our clients,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) opened up the proposed update to the LEED green building rating system for its first public comment. The public comment period, which will close on December 31, 2010, is the next step in the continuous improvement process and the ongoing development cycle of the LEED program.  “Continuous improvement of LEED is in the DNA of USGBC and its regular evolution is necessary to continue to move market transformation forward.” said Scot Horst, senior vice president of LEED, USGBC. “As green building expertise advances and practice evolves, so does LEED, providing innovative solutions...

VICTORIA, B.C.—When the Parkside Victoria Resort & Spa is awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification—its application is in the final stages—it will be one of just three lodging facilities in North America to earn the Platinum honor. The other ones include the Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, N.C., and the Bardessono in Yountville, Calif. The 126-suite, two-tower property in Victoria, British Columbia was built to be approximately 50 to 60 percent more energy efficient than the Model National Energy Code for Buildings. According to Jim Pearson, CEO of Aviawest Resort Group, the developer and manager of...

LINTHICUM, M.D.—Baltimore’s TownePlace Suites by Marriott Hotel at BWI Airport is the first LEED for Existing Buildings Gold certified green hotel in the state of Maryland. Significantly, it is also the first existing hotel in Marriott’s 3,400-hotel portfolio worldwide to be so recognized. To celebrate this milestone, the BWI extended-stay hotel “put on the green” with a showcase designed to help the public understand how easy it is to be green in their own homes. On September 30, the TownePlace Suites offered an exclusive preview of its innovative environmental practices. From green cleaning in guestrooms to composting all of its...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Omaha’s dynamic Midtown Crossing district will be the site of a new Element hotel. Element is a Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. brand. When it opens November 4, Element Omaha Midtown Crossing will become the first hotel in Midtown, and mark Element’s debut in the U.S. Midwest. Part of the thriving Midtown Crossing development, and just minutes from downtown Omaha and Eppley Airfield, Element Omaha Midtown Crossing is ideally situated beside the natural beauty of Turner Park. Omaha is home to five Fortune 500 companies and cultural attractions such as The Orpheum Theater and Joslyn Art...

NORTH WALPOLE—For designers who appreciate textures, Surface iQ wallcoverings by Len-Tex offer three new choices all derived from nature. Providing a distinctive aesthetic appeal, these designs are as at home in hospitality as they are in commercial, healthcare and retail settings. Callahan Reproduced to simulate the look and feel of fine leather, Callahan features a classic stitched-leather block pattern in a PVC-free construction. This new design in the Surface iQ offering takes the traditional leather look to a whole new level by incorporating the sophisticated shimmer of pearlescent inks in its palette of 12 fashion-forward colors. An elegant luster enhances the...

NEW YORK—Humanscale’s groundbreaking Element LED Task Light received a 2010 Green GOOD DESIGN Award. Among thousands of submissions from more than 46 countries, Element was selected as an outstanding example of green design. The Green GOOD DESIGN Awards are organized by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. Green GOOD DESIGN’s goal is “to emphasize the importance of sustainable design and to develop a public awareness program for the international general public about which companies are doing the best job in sustainable design for our environments,” said Ioannis...