MIAMI—Some say Miami’s hospitality industry is red hot. But it just got a little greener, too. That’s because Miami now officially has its first LEED certified hotel. The U.S. Green Building Council awarded Hospitality Operations, Inc.’s new 221-room Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Brickell-Downtown LEED Silver certification.

“The hotel industry has historically trailed other sectors when it comes to emphasizing sustainability, largely due to excessive energy and water usage,” Bernard Wolfson, president of Miami-based hotel development firm Hospitality Operations, tells GlobeSt.com. “We are overcoming these obstacles at the Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Brickell-Downtown by embracing green features that conserve resources, appeal to eco-conscious guests, and reduce our operating costs.”

Less than one year after opening its doors, there is evidence the hotel’s green investments are paying off. Overall energy savings are 16% below the property’s initial budget and 20% below LEED baseline building performance requirements.

Actual water consumption is 17% below budget due to low-flow water fixtures, efficient washing machines and a 35,000-gallon cistern that harvests rainwater for irrigation purposes. Natural gas costs are 49% below budget, the result of high-efficiency boilers and a laundry system that uses less hot water and reduces drying time. And electricity costs, the largest source of energy consumption for hotels, are 11% below budget.

Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Brickell-Downtown also scores well for walkability. The hotel is centrally located within walking distance to several public transit systems, with Metromover and Metrorail stations less than a block away from the hotel. Guests also have direct train access to and from Miami International Airport with the new AirportLink, a 2.4-mile extension of the Metrorail system.

Instant Insights /

Miami Gets First LEED-Certified Hotel

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