A pair of new hotel developments is set to bring green building principles to the New York City hospitality scene for the first time. Developers Jack Ancona and Flatiron Real Estate Advisors LLC recently broke ground on what will reportedly be the city's first green boutique hotel when it opens in spring 2008. The 19-story Greenhouse 26, at 132 W. 26th St. in Chelsea, will be the first lodging facility in New York City to utilize a geothermal heating and cooling system.

Two years after Greenhouse 26 opens, Starwood Capital Group will give New York tourists and business travelers their first green luxury option. The CT-based investment firm will introduce its "1" line of branded hotels and residences to the city at 14-20 W. 40th St. in Midtown in 2010. The 1 Hotel and Residences at Bryant Park will form part of a 31-story mixed-use development also including condominium residences. The project, designed by architect Morris Adjmi, is being constructed by 40th Street Development LLC, an affiliate of Ascent Real Estate Advisors LLC, on what is currently a parking lot near the New York Public Library.

Starwood plans to make the hotel at least 30% more energy efficient than required by state law by using day lighting, occupancy sensors, lighting control systems and Energy Star appliances. High-recycled content and locally made materials will be used in the construction process and 50% of the energy used to operate the building will be sourced by wind, hydro and biomass power.

Restaurateur Stephen Hanson, of Ruby Foo and Atlantic Grill fame, will create a dining component for the project which he says will specialize in meals that are "completely in tune with the building's environmental conscience."

Starwood is planning additional 1 locations for Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Mammoth Lakes, CA; Seattle; Scottsdale, AZ; Washington, DC; and Paris.