Hotels are expected to spend $5 billion on improvements this year, 33% more than in 2011, says Bjorn Hanson, a dean at NYU’s Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management. Most of that windfall will go into new bedding and flat-screen TVs, but a lot will go toward room renovations, lobby upgrades, additions, and new construction, including sustainably conceived projects.
For the Sheraton New York, Stantec oversaw a $153 million renovation that addressed energy waste and guest discomfort (due primarily to an wayward HVAC system) in the 53-story hotel. All 1,754 guestrooms were completely renovated with new systems that returned comfort control to guests. New central plant systems and 15 miles of hydronic piping were installed, cutting energy consumption by 14%.
A different approach to sustainability was taken by design firm Stonehill & Taylor for the recently completed $25 million renovation of the 533-room Hyatt Regency Minneapolis. Here, the emphasis was on the use of local materials and services whenever possible. Stone from a nearby quarry was used for bathroom countertops. Guestrooms feature works by local artists. About 80% of the furniture, fixtures, and equipment were produced in the U.S. and Canada. +
Related Stories
| Apr 16, 2012
Shawmut awarded Tag Heuer builds in Florida and Pennsylvania
Both projects are scheduled to be completed this spring.
| Apr 16, 2012
Batson-Cook breaks ground on senior living center in Brunswick, Ga.
Marks the third Benton House project constructed by Batson-Cook.
| Apr 16, 2012
Altoon + Porter Architects renamed Altoon Partners
The global practice, with offices in Los Angeles, Amsterdam, and Shanghai, specializes in retail, residential and mixed-use developments.
| Apr 16, 2012
Drake joins EYP as science and technology project executive
Drake’s more than 30 years of diversified design and project delivery experience spans a broad range of complex building types.
| Apr 16, 2012
$80 million in export financing for solar project in India
The project, “Rajasthan Sun Technique Energy Private Limited,” is a subsidiary of Reliance Power and is being co-financed by the Asian Development Bank and FMO, the Dutch development bank.
| Apr 13, 2012
Arcadis merges with Davis Langon & Seah
Merger will help company expand business in Asia.
| Apr 13, 2012
Goettsch Partners designs new music building for Northwestern
The showcase facility is the recital hall, an intimate, two-level space with undulating walls of wood that provide optimal acoustics and lead to the stage, as well as a 50-foot-high wall of cable-supported, double-skin glass
| Apr 13, 2012
Best Commercial Modular Buildings Recognized
Judges scored building entries on a number of criteria including architectural excellence, technical innovation, cost effectiveness, energy efficiency, and calendar days to complete, while marketing pieces were judged on strategy, implementation, and quantifiable results. Read More
| Apr 12, 2012
Solar PV carport, electrical charging stations unveiled in California
Project contractor Oltman Construction noted that the carport provides shaded area for 940 car stalls and generates 2 MW DC of electric power.
