LAS VEGAS—Before the action of the 2011 Hospitality Design Exposition & Conference (The HD Expo) officially begins on May 18, industry leaders will gather a day early for HD Green Day (May 17) to discuss socially responsible, ethical and eco-friendly practices within the world of hospitality design. Presented by Hospitality Design magazine and produced by the Hospitality Design Group, both events will take place at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. “Sustainable design is a growing area of the hospitality world, not only for functional reasons but for the aesthetics of the designs as well,” said Elizabeth...

URUBAMBA, PERU—Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, has earned its LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the first hotel in Peru to be awarded with such a distinction. LEED is an internationally recognized, third-party certification for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. This certification recognizes Tambo del Inka’s commitment to areas of environmental impact and occupants’ well-being, having earned credits in the sustainable site development, water efficiency, energy savings, material use, indoor environmental quality, as well as technological and process innovation. “Tambo del Inka reaffirms...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—A new Four Points by Sheraton in Tallahassee is expected to become the brand’s first LEED-certified property, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced. Four Points by Sheraton Tallahassee Downtown, which will open this summer, is on track to receive certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program in 2012. The hotel is also working toward earning certification as part of the Florida Green Lodging Program. Located in the heart of Florida’s capital city, Four Points by Sheraton Tallahassee Downtown will occupy a 12-story round building that has been a...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—More than 500 building projects have certified through the LEED Volume Program since the pilot launched in 2006, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED Volume Program streamlines the certification process for high-volume property owners and managers, from commercial real estate firms, national retailers and hospitality providers, to local, state and federal governments.  Utilizing a prototype-based approach, the program enables large-scale organizational builders and operators to deliver a consistent end product, earning LEED certification faster and at a lower cost than would be possible with individual building reviews. The certification program was designed to meet industry...

LOS ANGELES—Staron Surfaces, a product of technology leader Samsung, recently added 10 new solid surface colors to appeal to remodelers and commercial designers. More than 70 colors are now available in total. The seven new colors in Solid Surfaces cover both Sanded classic and Aspen classic color varieties. Incorporating the use of small, sand-sized particles in varying degrees of depth and visibility, Sanded classic includes the new Sanded Birch, Sanded Papyrus, Sanded Tundra and Sanded Clay surfaces. Aspen Milk has been added to the Aspen classic line, which combines small and mid-sized particles in a bed of muted solid...

CRYSTAL BEACH, TEXAS—In September 2008, Hurricane Ike leveled thousands of homes along the Texas coast. It was the third costliest Atlantic hurricane of all time. The four-room Out By the Sea Bed and Breakfast in Crystal Beach, owned by Carole Hamadey, survived the onslaught but still sustained significant damage. The next time a powerful hurricane comes knocking on Hamadey’s door, it will have a more difficult time “renovating.” Hamadey is about to add three additional guestrooms to her B&B using three steel shipping containers. That’s right, the large shipping containers one sees on ships crossing the ocean. Construction using the...

SPRINGFIELD, MO.—Hilton Garden Inn announced the opening of the 125-room Hilton Garden Inn Springfield, Mo., representing an addition to the brand’s growing portfolio of more than 500 hotels worldwide. The Hilton Garden Inn Springfield is managed by O’Reilly Hospitality Management, LLC of Springfield, Mo., and is the first hotel in Missouri to be designed to meet LEED Gold standards, while being just the second Hilton Garden Inn in the country to meet these standards. Some of the sustainability features include a geothermal HVAC system in the pavilion and meeting areas, a salt water swimming pool, solar electrical system, full...

NEW YORK—EcoLuxury Group (ELG) has been launched to provide full service consulting, design and construction services to residential and commercial clients interested in green, high quality renovation and new construction. The EcoLuxury Group focuses on enhancing occupant health, comfort and productivity while maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing environmental impacts. This collaborative group of architectural design, engineering, environmental health, technology and construction firms provides comprehensive knowledge and hands-on expertise in the rapidly growing field of high performance building.  Available services include architectural design; interior design; mechanical engineering; healthy design and consultation; energy auditing; LEED, NAHB and Energy Star design and consultation;...

DALLAS—NYLO Hotels LLC announced it has successfully completed a management team restructuring, as well as a financial restructuring of all debt within its portfolio to position it for growth opportunities ahead. The debt restructuring on all NYLO’s properties was completed in December 2010 and provides several years of additional term and other favorable modifications. Michael Mueller, a 20-year veteran of the hospitality industry and the original founder and visionary for the innovative NYLO lifestyle brand, said, “The debt restructuring puts NYLO on very strong financial ground and resolves all financial issues in our portfolio allowing us to focus solely...

MCLEAN, VA.—Home2 Suites by Hilton officially commemorated the opening of the brand’s first hotel today with a ribbon cutting ceremony and an announcement of a charitable community relations initiative. The first Home2 Suites, located in Fayetteville, N.C., welcomed representatives from the local community as well as executives from Hilton Worldwide, including President and CEO Chris Nassetta, to celebrate the opening of the first property for the newly developed extended-stay concept. Nassetta joined executives from the Home2 Suites brand management team, developer LBA Properties, owner Apple REIT and local dignitaries for the ribbon cutting ceremony and reception. As a signature element...