tarwood Capital Group’s “1” Hotel and Residences brand will open what is described as New York City’s first five-star green hotel on West 40th Street in Manhattan. The project, scheduled to open in 2010, will be part of a 31-story mixed-use green tower also featuring condominium residences and dining concepts by restaurateur Stephen Hanson.

The “1” Hotel and Residences at Bryant Park project hopes to demonstrate that green principles can enhance a luxury hospitality experience and residential lifestyle. One percent of the hotel’s profits will be donated to local environmental organizations.

As with all “1” brand projects, the tower will be built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. Created by the U.S. Green Building Council, this rating system is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings. Designed by New York City architect Morris Adjmi, the tower will feature several green construction and operational components, including:

• A high-performance building envelope with extensive day lighting and installation of keycards, occupancy sensors, lighting control systems, and Energy Star appliances. It will be at least 30 percent more efficient than required by the New York State Energy Conservation Code.
• Extensive use of high recycled content and locally procured materials.
• Low- and no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) emitting materials to improve indoor air quality.
• Fifty percent of the energy from renewable sources such as wind, hydro, and biomass.
• Thirty percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from operations.
• Thirty percent reduction in potable water use, no potable water for landscaping, and 50 percent reduction in irrigation water.
• Nontoxic housekeeping products.

ECO Dinning
One key component of the future New York City “1” Hotel and Residences will be the outstanding service and high-quality dining experiences provided by Stephen Hanson and B.R. Guest.

Hanson, who will deliver restaurant service, banqueting, and room service, is known for his outstanding creations in New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas, with restaurants that include Blue Water Grill, Fiamma Osteria, Dos Caminos, Ocean Grill, and Ruby Foo’s. “Guests and residents of the Bryant Park ‘1’ will quickly come to expect nothing less than a premier hotel and dining experience that appeals to each of their senses and promotes organic, local, and sustainable ingredients used to prepare extraordinary meals that are completely in tune with the building’s environmental conscience,” Hanson says.

B.R. Guest was the first national multi-concept restaurant group to be certified Green by the Green Restaurant Association™ for its incorporation of sustainable practices within the restaurants.