GREENSBORO, N.C.—The greenest hotel in North America? If not, it is certainly among the top few. Dennis Quaintance, CEO and CDO (Chief Design Officer) of Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels, developer of the 147-room Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, N.C., has his sights set on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. The property, still under construction, will use 40 percent less energy and 35 percent less water than a comparable hotel. It is expected to open in August or September. What makes the eight-story Proximity Hotel so different than a typical luxury property? The roof is a good place...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Valley Forge Fabrics Inc. announces FRESH: Fabrics Redefining Environmental Standards (for) Hospitality. As the acronym implies, FRESH represents the first environmentally friendly comprehensive fabric program designed specifically for the hospitality industry. With more than 200 fabrics spanning three opening volumes, FRESH creates a new benchmark for selection and diversity in environmentally friendly fabrics for the hospitality design community and the United States’ 3 million hotel guestrooms. FRESH fabrics are made with synthetic yarns derived from post-industrial and post-consumer recycled products that are made at a low impact manufacturing platform. Because of their unique construction, FRESH fabrics are recyclable....

DALLAS—In 2006, nearly 90 percent of customers surveyed by the American Institute of Architects said they would be willing to spend more to build or buy homes that would be more energy efficient and also protect the environment. In response, East Teak Fine Hardwoods Inc., an industry leader in First European Quality teak and other fine hardwood products, announces its recent certification as the first and only North American supplier of Forest Stewardship Council certified 100 percent post-consumer recycled teak and rosewood. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a nonprofit membership organization consisting of a diverse group...

LAGRANGE, GA.—Characterized by originality and high fashion impulses, Funkygraphic is Milliken’s latest collection of state-of-the art carpet designs for hospitality interiors. The European influenced designs of Funkygraphic divide into five color moods—Jungle Fever, Purple Haze, Color Spot, Duo Tone and Fade to Grey. Each color mood represents a collection of different designs coordinated to make creating innovative interiors simple. Designs represent a graphic retro style, spiced with oblique angles and original perspectives. With over 172 standard options, there is a mood for all environments. Jungle Fever evokes a trendy ecological restaurant where an encounter between nature...

DALLAS—In January, when Pineapple Hospitality and Lodging Hospitality revved up their planning for their first Green Hospitality Conference, they expected about 75 people to register. On Wednesday, March 14, however, about 175 people attended—many signing up the day of the event. That surprise surge in attendees proved that owners and operators are hungry to learn about environmental trends and how to operate more profitably while conserving natural resources. “We were extremely pleased with the attendance,” says Ray Burger, President of Pineapple Hospitality, Saint Charles, Mo. “The number of hotel companies represented was impressive and we appreciated the support...

SANTA MONICA, CALIF.—A Partner Member of the Green Hotel Assn. and a Santa Monica Sustainable Works Business Greening Program participant, The Ambrose hotel here is doing what it can to “Leave Only Footprints Behind.” It is that phrase that the 77-room property uses in its stylish logo. In every area of the hotel’s operations, a commitment to sustainability is clear. That commitment stems from the owner, The Ambrose Group L.L.C., as well as the “all concierge” team of employees at the property. The Ambrose first got involved in greening the hotel’s operations by participating in Santa Monica’s Sustainable Works Business Greening...

TUALATIN, ORE.—Hartmann & Forbes, maker of sustainable handcrafted window coverings, has launched its EcoWeave Collection of 15 environmentally responsible solar screen fabrics. Specially woven from eco-friendly polyester yarns, EcoWeave is among the first collections of its kind in the industry. “The EcoWeave Collection is the natural evolution of solar screen materials,” says Michael Jones, founder and CEO of Hartmann & Forbes. “We are eager to provide a resource to designers and architects that adds environmental benefits to their design. This collection is particularly exciting as EcoWeaves can be used to help achieve LEED certification.” Designed under Project-Green...

BROOMFIELD, COLO.—Vail Resorts Inc. announced one of the most ambitious green development projects in the North American resort industry to date, to be called Ever Vail. The $1 billion project will transform the 9.5-acre site, currently known as West Lionshead, into a truly green multi-use resort village consisting of residences, a hotel, offices, retail shops and restaurants, mountain operations facilities, a public parking garage, a new gondola and related skier portal, and a public park. The name, Ever Vail, was thoughtfully chosen to reflect the project’s guiding principle of sustainability—that is, pairing Vail Mountain’s enduring preeminent position in the resort...

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CALIF.—For the fourth consecutive year, Bentley Prince Street has been recognized for its progressive efforts to reduce waste and conserve resources with the Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) award. Sponsored by the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the state’s leading authority on recycling and waste reduction, the WRAP awards recognize California companies for the successful implementation of resource-efficient practices and aggressive waste reduction, reuse and recycling programs. “At Bentley Prince Street, just as we have our own Mission Zero goal of eliminating our potential negative impact on the environment by the year 2020, we’re...

TORONTO—Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced that it will manage Pittsburgh’s newest hotel to be housed in Three PNC Plaza, a 780,000-square-foot mixed-use “green” building complex now under construction by The PNC Financial Services Group Inc. in the heart of downtown. Fairmont Pittsburgh, expected to open in summer 2009, will be built according to sustainable design and construction guidelines. In addition to the hotel, the complex will include a 326,000-square-foot office building, the first of its kind in 20 years. “We are delighted to place the Fairmont name on this hotel,” says William R. Fatt, Fairmont’s CEO. “The new...