YORKVILLE, N.Y.—Meyda Tiffany, a leading manufacturer of decorative lighting, has begun installing the largest LED chandelier in the world. After nearly a year of planning, Meyda recently completed production in its manufacturing facilities in Yorkville, N.Y. (outside of Utica, N.Y.). Designed and engineered with state-of-the-art technology and energy efficiency for a local performing arts theater, the Meyda Chandelier illuminates with 328 LEDs made by Philips Luxeon (same LEDs used for New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square) using 1,120 total watts (equivalent of energy used for one-drip coffeemaker), instead of conventional incandescent bulbs requiring 7,435 watts (energy equivalent of...

HOLLAND, MICH.—Here in the heart of Holland, Mich., a town known for its roots in Dutch culture, a new eco-boutique style hotel has opened that is anything but traditional. The five-story, 56-room CityFlats Hotel is proof that powerful things can happen when sleek, modern design meets environmental coolness. From the exterior, where LED lights provide colorful illumination, to the interior where large windows welcome in natural light, the CityFlats Hotel is unlike any other in the United States. Opened at the very end of last year, the property is owned by Holland, Mich.-based Charter House Holdings, LLC. The owners expect...

ATLANTA—For the first time, Hospitality Design magazine will present an entire day of eco-friendly programming, HD Green Day, on Wednesday, May 14, prior to HD Expo at the Sands Expo Center/Venetian Conference Center in Las Vegas. For designers, hoteliers, restaurateurs, architects and other creative professionals dedicated to improving the environment through their work, HD Green Day will offer the opportunity to impact the future of sustainable design through an interactive panel on design standards. Educational panels, award presentations and a keynote address will provide tools for attendees to implement next steps in green design. During Green Day, one of the...

BUFFALO GROVE, ILL.—Initial Tropical Plants, a leader in providing workplace products and services, has re-branded to Ambius. This North American name change follows the global brand name change from Rentokil Tropical Plants to Ambius which was announced in 12 countries last year. Ambius, a division of Rentokil Initial plc, is the world’s largest provider of plants for commercial environments. Ambius also offers a broad range of products and services including ambient scenting, holiday decor and artwork that can help improve employee productivity, reduce absenteeism and boost morale in the workplace. “While our ‘roots’ are clearly in beautifying work environments with...

STATE COLLEGE, PA.—When most hotel developers officially launch a project, they invite local dignitaries and have a groundbreaking ceremony—with at least several shovels. This month, Tricore Group, LLC did something just a little different. It had a demolition ceremony and used a gold sledgehammer. Why demolition and why gold? The demolition is significant because much of the masonry, concrete, steel and glass will be recycled per the requirements of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program. Gold is meaningful because Tricore will pursue LEED Gold for its “P” Hotel & Spa, a...

INDUSTRY, CALIF.—Bentley Prince Street, a leading manufacturer of stylish floor coverings for nearly three decades, launched Mystic Journey, a collection of five carpet patterns designed by New York-based designer Joanne De Palma. All five styles—Falling Rain, Vortis, Future Connections, Intuitive Impulse and Journey’s Path—are available in broadloom. Falling Rain is also offered in 18” X 18” carpet tile. “As part of our Mission Zero goal of eliminating any negative impact our company has on the environment by the year 2020, Bentley Prince Street is constantly seeking opportunities to partner with designers who share our sensitivity to our vulnerable planet and...

LAS VEGAS—About 400 people, including hotel developers, designers, architects and others were in attendance on the first day of the UNLV & JMBM Hotel Developers Conference here in Las Vegas. The event at the Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa was packed full of educational sessions and networking opportunities—all geared toward helping attendees understand the true cost of green hotel development, as well as the ins and outs of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. The conference began with a keynote speech by Dan Esty, Director, Center for Environmental Law...

LOS ANGELES—This spring, Los Angeles will have an artful new sanctuary to showcase Southern California’s eclectic cultural landscape. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, the leading boutique hotel company, is preparing for the debut of its latest project, Hotel Palomar Los Angeles. Located in Los Angeles’ upscale Westwood neighborhood, adjacent to Beverly Hills at 10740 Wilshire Blvd., the sophisticated boutique hotel will boast an art theme, environmentally-friendly focus, 268 guestrooms and sweeping city views. The Hotel Palomar brings Kimpton’s award-winning environmentally responsible practices to Los Angeles. Beyond paying lip-service to the green trend, Kimpton sees its eco-friendly efforts as integral to its...

NATIONAL REPORT—When the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced revisions to its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Existing Buildings Rating System late last year, it was good news for hotel owners and operators. Now called LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (O&M), the system is a better fit for hotels and is attracting the interest of many of the leading hotel companies. There are now approximately 200 hotel projects registered with USGBC. Most are seeking LEED for New Construction (LEED-NC) certification but the number of U.S. building owners pursuing LEED for Existing Buildings: O&M is...

NORTH WALPOLE, N.H.—Len-Tex Corp. announced that the entire line of its Surface iQ non-vinyl wallcovering has earned the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Certification at the Silver tier for healthy and sustainable product design from McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC). Surface iQ is the only printed commercial grade wallcovering to have earned this certification. In order for products to be certified under Cradle to Cradle guidelines, both the product and all components must pass rigid material requirements for environmental and human health. Additional criteria for certification include product and material reutilization, energy and water usage during production as well as social...