College Park Marriott Hotel Achieves LEED Platinum Certification

August 19, 2015 2306 Views Brain Spaces, Connecticut Department of Corrections, Eastern U.S., Regional Medical Center, sustainable ski resort, The Building Owners and Managers Association International

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Located near the University of Maryland, the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in College Park has become one of only four LEED Platinum certified hotels in the United States. During the renovation, which lasted from 2012 to 2015, management paid close attention to the hotels sustainability and energy efficiency.

The renovation included the redesign of 237 guest rooms and suites, public areas, and 40,000 square feet of flexible function space at College Park Marriott. Material selection and energy efficiency during this time were very important. The hotel was evaluated for key sustainability features such as water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, construction waste management, indoor air quality and close proximity to the College Park Metro Station and public transportation.

To achieve these qualifications for LEED Platinum certification, during construction, low-flow bathroom fixtures and high-efficiency lighting and HVAC systems were installed among many other upgrades. More than 90 percent of the waste from construction was not sent to landfills, but was used as a recyclable material.

The green transformation also included a new, modern American pub that features local cuisine, a new 6,700-square-foot ballroom, a second 8,200-square-foot ballroom, a new 250-seat conference dining room, 18 redone meeting rooms and a new hotel great room, business center and fitness center.

The College Park Marriott Hotel is among 19 LEED Platinum hotels in the world. It is also the only hotel in Maryland to earn a LEED Platinum certification. The other United States hotels are located in California, North Carolina and New York.

In their movement to become a more sustainable hotel, they have also added eco-friendly hospitality practices to work on lowering their carbon footprint and to be more energy-efficient, said general manager Mike McCarthy. This new renovation will not only give guests who are concerned about what hotels are doing to limit their carbon footprints peace of mind, but will also improve the operational savings and revenue for the hotel.