Green Marriott hotel dedicated

Chevy Chase, Md. Dignitaries and Marriott officials hosted a dedication Tuesday of a new green Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Chevy Chase, Md. Hotelier J.W. “Bill” Marriott, along with the U.S. Green Building Council’s Chris Smith and senior VP and general manager Mark Darley of Grosvenor Americas dedicated the 226-room hotel on the Maryland/Washington, D.C. border.

The hotel has undergone a $35 million renovation by Grosvenor Americas, designed to meet the criteria for the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the USGBC.

Currently, according to Marriott, there are only about 20 LEED-certified hotels in the nation.

The Chevy Chase hotel’s sustainable features include 100% renewable energy provided by wind power; a reflective roof; energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems that do not use ozone-depleting refrigerants; energy-efficient windows; low-VOC adhesives, paints, carpets, and sealants; low-flow shower heads and dual-flush toilets; an energy management system; special parking for hybrid cars; a “bike-to-work” program for employees; a centralized recycling station for on-site sorting; and a solar-powered trash compactor.

“The incremental cost of achieving LEED Gold status was less than 1.0% of the total project cost,” said Mark Darley, senior VP and general manager of Grosvenor Americas’ Washington, D.C., office. “We re-used 90% of the existing building structure and recycled 75% of construction debris. The hotel’s green features will result in reducing water use by 40% and energy use by 21%.”