NATIONAL REPORT—“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it”—Robert Swan As a whole, the construction industry is aiming to be more environmentally friendly and one of the ways they are doing this is by utilizing polyurethane. In the majority of cases, polyurethane can replace the use of rubber, silicone, and plastic. Numerous companies have removed the use of plastic in their processes and products as much as possible. Why is polyurethane the most popular option? Because it has a lot of the same functionalities as the products above, but it is considered environmentally friendly, too,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) have outlined an expanded suite of programs and resources focused on improving building and community resilience in the face of climate risks. While governments and businesses focus on economic recovery, more frequent and severe climate events threaten to interrupt progress. Green building helps companies and communities adapt to and mitigate the effects of these growing climate concerns. “Green buildings are the first step to creating more resilient businesses and communities while also supporting economic development and growth,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO of USGBC and GBCI....

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA—JO&JOE, a hybrid hospitality brand part of the worldwide Accor Group, announced its arrival in Colombia for the first time with the construction of a new Open House concept in the city of Medellín. JO&JOE is a shared accommodation experience belonging to Accor’s portfolio of economy and lifestyle brands and is aimed at a broad international community of global explorers with a special focus on engaging millennials and the millennial minded. Offering more of a lifestyle experience than a standard hostel, while remaining uniquely different than traditional hotels, JO&JOE is perfect for groups of friends, solo travelers or...

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, FLA.—Benchmark Contract Furniture, a leading provider of furniture and design solutions for public spaces, introduces a new collection of contemporary, flexible furniture and accessories. The Monarch Collection—designed as cohesive solutions for public spaces—includes seating, tables and receptacles that can be mixed and matched in a variety of finishes and colors, adaptable to both indoor and outdoor environments. The Monarch Collection includes flexible furniture pieces that strike the perfect balance between rational design and bold presence. Geometric shapes meld with modern curves for pieces with a sculptural soul and playful personality. Manufactured in North America using 100 percent aluminum,...

CHICAGO—Robots serving drinks? Meeting rooms that resemble a giant terrarium? These are just some of the concepts guests may experience as hotel operators attempt to adapt and innovate amid the COVID-19 crisis according to The Hotel of Tomorrow Project, a global think tank consisting of 325 hospitality industry executives and spearheaded by The Gettys Group, a Chicago-based design, development and consulting firm. Since June, designers, manufacturers, owners, and operators from a wide range of brands—including Four Seasons, Hilton, IHG, Marriott, Kohler Company, Milliken and Cornell University—have been gathering online creating, reviewing and testing concepts. “The COVID crisis has created a need for...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Viceroy Hotels & Resorts is changing the conversation in Washington D.C., and beyond, with the opening of Hotel Zena, a bold new cultural hub celebrating the accomplishments of women and recognizing their enduring struggle for gender equality. It is an interactive venue where every architectural line, material and art installation was thoughtfully designed and curated to send a message of female empowerment. Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8791651-hotel-zena-dedicated-to-female-empowerment-washington-dc/ Situated at the nexus of Downtown D.C. and the vibrant Logan Circle neighborhood and renewed 14th Street, the 191-room hotel is not only a story about women. It’s also a celebration...

TORONTO—Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Paralelo 19 Desarrollos, a leading real estate development company in Mexico, announced a new luxury resort located in Tamarindo, Mexico. Debuting in 2021 as Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, México, the project will be located on a private peninsula along the Pacific Ocean in the state of Jalisco, between the towns of La Manzanilla and Barra de Navidad. The area, known as “Costa Alegre” or “Joy Coast” is acclaimed for its picturesque beaches, lush landscape and unique topography. “As we grow the Four Seasons portfolio in Mexico, this project in Tamarindo is the ideal opportunity to...

Montalba Architects, the Santa Monica, Calif. and Switzerland-based architecture firm, recently completed three new Swiss projects, including newly imagined accommodations for the hospitality-concept, Whitepod. The new Whitepod eco-chalets, which are ideal for group and family travel, are equipped with modern conveniences and minimalist, sustainable design that allows the alpine landscape to take center stage. “Heritage and craftsmanship are at the heart of design, so we give considerable attention to making sure local, timeless materials are incorporated into each project to create a continuation of a user’s experience with both the space and the region as a whole,” says Founding Principal...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Restore Oregon has named the boutique SCP Redmond Hotel as one of 11 historic projects from across the state as winners of the 2020 DeMuro Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation. After suffering a prolonged decline, the most prominent building along Redmond’s Main Street has come back to life as a boutique hotel, co-working, dining, and community meeting space. The project included careful rehab of the Georgian facade, addition of a rooftop lounge, and restoration of its dramatic lobby. The award is the state’s highest honor for the preservation, reuse, and revitalization of architectural and cultural sites. Launched in 2013,...

ST. LOUIS, MO.—Located at 3763 Forest Park Ave., the $40 million Element St. Louis Midtown is a seven-story hotel with 153 extended stay rooms. The rooftop UPBAR—Midas Hospitality’s first owned and operated bar in its 15-year existence—will feature a variety of signature cocktails that were created in partnership with Luxco, which is one of the nation’s leading beverage alcohol companies based in St. Louis. “As we created our plans for this site, we realized this was the perfect opportunity to introduce our very first UPBAR location with our ‘Where St. Louis Meets the Sky’ tagline,” said Midas Hospitality’s CEO and...