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Design designation to speed rollout of eco-friendly properties
Element Hotels announced its prototype design has achieved LEED Volume Pre-Certification from U.S. Green Building Council. That step will make it simpler, faster and less costly for developers and partners to pursue LEED certification of new properties, according to Paul Sacco, senior vice President of development for parent company Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. “Building from a prototype that's already LEED pre-approved means that Starwood helps our partners substantially reduce consulting fees, spend less on applications and certifications, and minimize documentation requirements wherever possible,” Sacco said. “This presents a real incentive for partners and developers to join us in the pursuit of more sustainable buildings and greener operations.”
Element's LEED Volume Pre-Certified prototype is based on the brand's property in Lexington, Mass., which achieved LEED Gold certification in 2008. At that locale, sustainable strategies led to 20 percent more energy-efficiency; a 32 percent reduction in water use, nearly 70 percent of power purchased as Green Power; and the use of low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) materials throughout the hotel.
Starwood says the two-year-old the Element brand – which currently has seven locales in operation and four more in its development pipeline -- is designed to deliver “a no-compromise, eco-chic experience enhanced by comfortable and inspiring public spaces, modern touches, and smart design.” In addition, Starwood says Element is first major hotel brand to mandate that all its properties pursue the LEED certification.
At least one other major hotel chain – Marriott – has also gained achieved LEED Volume Pre-Certification for its hotel designs. Marriott recently announced that a Courtyard locale in Charleston/Summerville, S.C., will be first hotel to use its pre-certified LEED green hotel design. That locale is slated to open in early 2012.
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