RAPID CITY, S.D.—Atmosphere Hospitality Management LLC has assumed the management and license contract of a former downtown Rapid City branded hotel and has plans to convert it to the first Adoba Eco Hotel. The conversion of the nine-story, 177-guestroom property will include a full property guestroom renovation and public area restoration beginning mid-February. The hotel will stay open during the renovation that is expected to be done by May. The destination inspired, sustainable guestroom design will be created by Antonio Ballatore from HGTV’s “The Antonio Treatment” TV show.
“Our goal since the launch of the Adoba Brand has been to manage and operate through the lens of sustainability and offer an owner a top-performing green lodging property,” said James Henderson, CEO/Green President of Atmosphere Hospitality Management. “In conjunction with our efforts to become LEED certified, our belief is by eliminating the traditional franchise fees model and offering a new approach to owners based on a performance-fee plan, coupled with improved operational efficiencies, enhanced guest experience through new technologies and service to the community we serve, it will motivate ownership groups to take a strong look at this new Adoba brand.”
“In terms of hotel conversions, there is nothing like this,” said Karim Merali, owner of the property. “The incredibly purposeful, forward thinking approach to the evolution of the hospitality industry, supported by the most current proprietary technology systems will validate all our sustainable practices while establishing benchmarks for continuous future improvements. With the notable industry experience of the Atmosphere team and vision behind the project, it was too incredible for us not to be involved.”
Solar for Water Heating
According to Adrienne Pumphrey, Global Head, Adoba Eco Hotel & Suites, green features of the hotel will include a solar thermal system for water heating, low flow water fixtures, LED lighting in every guestroom and public space, carpet tile in some guestrooms and stained concrete flooring in others, a baler/compactor for waste reduction, amenity dispensers, and eco-friendly bedding package and blinds. Six of the guestrooms (suites) will be named after endangered protected areas in South Dakota.
As part of the transition, the hotel’s well-known Enigma Restaurant will launch a new, upscale organic inspired menu while using local vendors. The menu will feature a variety of organic wines.
The Adoba Eco Hotel concept was introduced by Atmosphere Hospitality in 2010 on Earth Day. Later that year, Atmosphere unveiled a select service option for developers called Adoba Eco Inn. In addition to the Rapid City hotel, Atmosphere currently has four properties in the pipeline.
Growth Strategy
When first launched, Atmosphere’s strategy was to pursue top eco-driven priority markets and major cities like Denver, Tucson, San Francisco, Portland (Ore.), Washington, D.C., Houston, Midland/Odessa (Texas), and Seattle.
“The brand growth strategy is still focused on top eco-driven priority markets with new builds, yet as a result of the financial climate the last two years we are receiving a great deal of requests from branded property owners who want to convert their properties,” Pumphrey says.
All Adoba conversions will be at least certified at the basic LEED-EB: O&M or Silver certified level. New builds will be at least LEED-NC Gold or Platinum. Dina Belon, a LEED Accredited Professional and a principal and owner of Rush Hospitality, will assist with the project. Sacha Merali will also assist as VP of Green Development for Atmosphere Hospitality Management.
Go to www.adobaecohotel.com for more information.
