PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA.— Thayer Lodging Group CEO Leland C. Pillsbury broke ground here recently on a project that will introduce Florida’s first LEED-certified, PURE-designated conference center that will be approved by The International Association of Conference Centers.
Shortly after the ceremonial first shovel of dirt was tossed, Pillsbury escorted the crowd to a ceremonial tree planting in recognition of the project’s commitment to the environment. A few days prior to the event, invited guests received a handcrafted wooden box that contained a 12-inch sapling of a Longleaf Pine tree that would be planted in their name as part of the development of the Palm Beach Gardens Arbor. A commemorative plaque is being placed at The Arbor. The Longleaf Pine is indigenous to the region. The Longleaf Pine’s seeds are large and nutritious, forming a significant food source for birds and other Florida wildlife.
A total of 15 saplings were planted at this ceremony, highlighted by comments from Palm Beach Gardens Mayor Eric Jablin who said, “This wonderful hotel has always been a hub of activity for Palm Beach Gardens and now, with the new IACC-approved conference center, it will be at the core of increasing corporate commerce in our city. It will also reflect the entire community’s commitment to environmental consciousness and sustainability with the development of this new conference center and the Palm Beach Gardens Arbor.”
Other special guests included David Levy, Vice Mayor of Palm Beach Gardens; Jorge Pesquera, President of the Palm Beach County CVB; Dennis Grady, President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches; Lisa Anderson, V.P. of the Business Development Board, and Bert Premuroso, Council Member.
Flexible Meeting Space Planned
Designed by Gobbell Hays Partners of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., the project includes modern functionality within a shell that is complimentary of the adjacent hotel. Details include 15,500 square feet of tech-savvy, purpose designed meeting space, eight meeting rooms, teleconference rooms, pre-function areas, and an outdoor plaza. The flexible space will allow for large assemblies and smaller meetings and designated areas for personal communications and networking.
Carol Hochheiser of Hochheiser-Ross Interior Design commented that the overall design element of the new conference center will reflect their recently completed renovation of the hotel’s lobby, lounge and Oz Restaurant. Hochheiser is committed to meeting the standards of LEED certification by incorporating locally reclaimed materials as part of the design of the conference center.
The experience of walking into the Executive Meeting Center will be a transition from the regular routine to an event and an adventure. When one enters the meeting center, creamy white floors naturally will reflect the sparks of quartz. Actually, there will be recycled beer cans in the flooring that will bring depth of color with flecks of light and dark.
Salvaged Wood Part of Hall Design
The reclaimed 100 percent select heart cypress wood that will be used on the walls and niches of the main hall will be at least 500 years old, as it was cut down in the nineteenth century. Salvaged from the local Florida swamps, it has aged with unique colorations of honey cinnamon and textures.
Among the most important features will be the healthy air quality where materials will not cause a physical reaction or discomfort to the visitors. All the materials will meet the air quality standards that create a healthy environment which has proven to be a more productive environment for learning and growing.
The property’s allergy-friendly hotel accommodations are treated with the latest technologies available. In-room filtration systems purify air particles, while surfaces are treated to minimize the growth of bacteria. Available for a surcharge, the allergy-friendly Palm Beach Florida hotel accommodations are nearly 99.9 percent allergen-free, and include:
• Sanitized heater and air conditioner, further cleaned with PURE Tea Tree oil;
• Cleansed and sanitized soft surfaces, to eliminate contaminants that trigger allergies;
• PureShield application on all surfaces, to minimize the growth of bacteria;
• One-time high ozone shock treatment, to remove any remaining allergy triggers, and to eliminate room odors;
• In-room air purification system (class II medical device), to render air quality four times cleaner than threshold for asthma patients; and
• Hypo-allergenic pillow cases and mattress covers, to eliminate dust and dander associated with bedding.
The development project is expected to be completed by the end of this year and is scheduled for grand opening on January 1, 2009.
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