Home Green Design Historic Hotels of America Names Sustainability Champion Award Winners

Historic Hotels of America Names Sustainability Champion Award Winners

441
0
SHARE

SAN FRANCISCO—The two historic boutique hotels in the Presidio of San Francisco, Inn at the Presidio and Lodge at the Presidio, were recently honored with the 2022 Historic Hotels of America Sustainability Champion Award in a ceremony in Point Clear, Alabama. Granted by Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the award is presented to a hotel that best implements and practices innovative green initiatives and programs, demonstrating historic preservation is the ultimate green. Inn at the Presidio also earned this award in 2017.

“We’re honored to accept this award from our peers, as a recognition of our commitment to innovative green initiatives and historic preservation,” Director of Presidio Lodging Terry Haney said. “We do this because it’s simply the right thing to do for our planet. It’s inspiring to see the positive response from our guests and the growing demand for sustainable travel as people become more aware of their individual environmental impact.”

Originally a former bachelor officer’s quarters built by the Army in 1903, the 22-room Inn at the Presidio underwent an environmentally sensitive restoration that transformed the historic structure into the park’s first public lodging in 2012. The building was certified LEED Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2012. The 42-room Lodge at the Presidio, opened in 2018, was certified LEED Gold in 2021. The stately red brick building on the Presidio’s Main Parade Lawn was built in 1897 and formerly housed enlisted Army soldiers. Both were rehabilitated under the principles of “adaptive reuse,” minimizing waste by reuse while taking care to preserve both the natural and historical aspects that make the properties so extraordinary.

Insulation Made from Jean Scraps

Aspects of Presidio Lodging’s operational practices include energy efficient heating, plumbing, electrical systems and appliances, natural ventilation, and lighting. Recycled jean scraps were utilized for insulation in the roof and walls. Presidio Lodging also follows green housekeeping practices and has a rigorous recycling and composting program that diverts most of its waste from landfills. Water is conserved both inside the hotels and in their exterior landscaping.

The Presidio is one of the largest historic preservation projects in the United States. Of the 600 historic buildings in the park, 80 percent have been put back into use—essentially “recycling” them which is the greenest building practice.

“As stewards of the Presidio’s historic and natural resources, we’re committed to using the highest standards for sustainability in our building practices, park operations, and environmental restoration efforts,” CEO of the Presidio Trust Jean Fraser said. “Visitors to our Lodge and Inn help us sustain the park as every dollar spent in the park goes right back into taking care of the park for future generations.”

Watch a video about sustainability in the Presidio and Presidio Lodging.

See a list of all awardees.

LEAVE A REPLY