Tourism has a significant impact on the environment. Within its hospitality sector, more hotels, inns, and resorts are going green as visitors become more aware of climate change and the critical need to protect the earth’s environment, as well as their own health. Meanwhile, retail establishments, especially wineries, breweries, and restaurants, can provide destinations and demonstrations of sustainably built indoor and outdoor environments. SDC has been involved in the development of a growing number of green hospitality and retail projects, assisting developers and management companies in pursuing their sustainability goals.
Intercontinental Hotel at the Wharf, Washington, DC: This new 250,657 sf 12-story hotel, designed by BBGM, is part of DC’s southwest waterfront redevelopment effort and achieved LEED-NC Gold-level certification in July 2018. Nearly 95% of its spaces provide views to the exterior as well as natural light. Ground floor retail and underground parking are also provided.
Homewood Suites, Arlington, VA: This new 94,629 sf extended stay hotel designed by Gordon & Greenberg includes 168 rooms and two levels of underground parking. Through the use of significant plantings as well as a vegetated roof, the site was able to provide 60% of open space. The project achieved LEED-NC Gold-level certification in June 2018.
Hilton Garden Inn Alexandria Old Town, Alexandria, VA: This new six-story, 74,495 sf triangular-shaped hotel in Old Town Alexandria was designed by Rust Orling Architects and includes 109 guest rooms and a small on-site restaurant. SDC provided LEED Process management services, helping this project achieve Silver-level certification in September 2015.
Aertson Hotel, Nashville, TN: The new 130,000 sf Kimpton hotel interiors designed by Torti Gallas and Partners is part of a 900,000 sf mixed-use development in downtown Nashville, which also includes residential, retail, and parking facilities. The project achieved LEED for Commercial Interiors Silver-level certification in February 2019.
Cooper Vineyards Tasting Room, Louisa, VA: This 5,700 project designed by Baskervill received the GRACRE Commercial Real Estate Award as well as LEED-NC Platinum certification in June 2012. Green building strategies include a ground source heat pump, radiant floor heating, on-site power generation, rainwater harvesting, and a high efficiency building envelope using occupancy sensors and sunshades.
Stone Brewing East Coast Headquarters, Richmond, VA: This 213,750 sf new brewery and distribution center designed by Perretz & Young surpsassed the initial LEED goal of Certified to become the first LEED-NC Silver-certified brewery in Virginia in 2016. It also was awarded the Best Industrial Project by the Greater Richmond Association for Commercial Real Estate (GRACRE) in 2017.
Market 34, Goochland, VA: Designed by SMBW, this 20,572 sf newly renovated building connects office buildings 3 and 4 at Capital One’s West Creek campus. It houses a commercial kitchen and indoor dining facilities with a large outdoor seating area and terrace that overlooks the recently renovated Meadow. The project earned LEED Silver-level certification in March 2020.