STATE COLLEGE, PA.—The development team of The P Hotel and Spa announced suspension of construction of The P Hotel and Pure Spa project at Waddle Road and Colonnade Boulevard pending stabilization of the economy. The developers had been pursuing LEED Gold for the development here in State College. “Other components of the Waddle Road development will continue as planned but the owners have decided that we need to put The P on hold pending a better understanding of how the economy is going to unfold,” said Benjamin Heim, CEO of Tricore Group, LLC and lead developer on the project. “We...

SEATTLE—The Olive 8 building, a 39-story hotel/condominium building located in downtown Seattle, has officially received LEED Silver from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a first for hotel/condominium buildings in the Seattle area. As the first mixed-use hotel and residential project to be LEED certified in Seattle, Olive 8 has been recognized as a high-performance building that is a responsible and efficient place to live, vacation and work. The cornerstone Hyatt at Olive 8 hotel located within the Olive 8 building is now also one of only 20 hotels in the United States to be officially designated “green” by...

NAPA VALLEY, CALIF.—Silverado Resort’s frenetic executive chef Peter Pahk believes some things must be done slowly. Pahk has been instrumental in driving the Napa Valley resort’s numerous food-related environmental initiatives, and he has realized that to be a true leader you cannot expect overnight results. One of his many initiatives is to embrace organizations such as Slow Foods Napa and Slow Foods USA, organizations committed to identifying, preserving and promoting small agricultural producers and to educate the public about distinctive regional food traditions. The resort’s membership in Slow Foods aptly illustrates the commitment of Pahk and other resort leaders in...

TETIAROA, FRENCH POLYNESIA—Located on the French Polynesian atoll of Tetiaroa and a product of the late Marlon Brando’s vision, construction on The Brando has officially begun with completion slated for late 2011. Construction of the luxury eco-resort has commenced with the official authorization from the Tahitian government after several years of studying the impact of construction on the environment. The Brando will feature: 47 deluxe bungalow villas (each with private plunge pools), a spa, fitness center, community pool, as well as various island activities including scuba diving and archaeological tours of royal Tahitian sites. Construction of The Brando began with...

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—When The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte opens in October, it will be the first LEED hotel to open in the greater Charlotte, N.C. area and the first Ritz-Carlton property anywhere to earn the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED designation (the company is also pursuing LEED for its new Lake Tahoe property expected to open later this year). The 146-room hotel has been designed to earn LEED Gold certification once it opens, to be followed by LEED Gold for Existing Buildings certification a year later. The luxury hotel, which is managed by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., will minimize its environmental impact...

STOWE, VT.—One of Stowe’s oldest inns has gotten fresh and gone green by joining the Vermont Fresh Network. By partnering with local farmers and food producers to add native ingredients to its restaurants, they’re helping strengthen and preserve the state’s agriculture base. Going local is also part of their long-term sustainability plan. “The name ‘Vermont Fresh’ says it all—the freshest, highest quality ingredients, all grown or produced right here in Vermont,” said innkeeper Patti Clark. “Customers have long recognized the Vermont brand means quality. Here at the Green Mountain Inn, diners now have food choices with meaning, value and a...

PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC—The World Travel & Tourism Council announced that Grupo PUNTACANA, the parent company of the PUNTACANA Resort & Club, located in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, has been selected as the winner of the 2009 Tourism for Tomorrow Award in the Destination Stewardship category. The honor was granted due to the company’s dedication and success in developing a program of commitment for sustainable tourism, and for strengthening the economic and social wellbeing of their product and surrounding region. The accolade recognizes the protection of natural and cultural heritage, social and economic benefits to local people, and environmentally-friendly...

BIG SUR, CALIF.—Post Ranch Inn, recognized throughout the world as a leading green coastal property, has switched on a 990-panel solar installation, the largest hotel solar project in California and one of the largest in the United States. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the system is estimated to reduce carbon emissions by 611,000 pounds annually. That is equivalent to removing more than 50 vehicles from the road or serving nearly 39 U.S. households’ electricity needs. The solar array is owned and operated by Recurrent Energy, a distributed power company and leading provider of onsite solar energy. Post...

PORTLAND, ORE.—What was once a vacant bank building in downtown Portland will open in May as the Courtyard by Marriott—Portland City Center. The 256-room hotel was built to earn LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The structure, which has been given a new shell, three new floors and brand new mechanical systems, is expected to be the first LEED Gold hotel in the Pacific Northwest. Certification is expected this fall. Green hotels are becoming the norm in Portland. The Avalon Hotel & Spa announced its LEED certification last summer, The Nines hotel is expected to be...

SAN FRANCISCO—San Francisco’s Orchard Hotel joins its sister property—the Orchard Garden Hotel—in green certification, earning LEED-EB (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification for an existing building by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). San Francisco’s only hotel to earn this honor, the Orchard Hotel is the second hotel in California and fourth hotel in the world with this certification. LEED-EB is the USGBC’s system for operating high performance buildings dedicated to whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues, recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs and systems upgrades. The Orchard Hotel includes 104 guestrooms and is located just two blocks from Union Square...