by Robert Gluck
What does the newest hotel in Seattle have that’s making all go gaga over it?
- Slick looks,
- streamlined design,
- tantalizing opulence.
All that and more in an eco-savvy package.
Welcome to Olive 8 – brilliant modern luxury meets ecological sensitivity.
The owners call their Olive 8 building in Seattle stunning, and for good reason.
The downtown 39-story hotel/condominium building officially received a LEEDSilver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a first for hotel/condominium buildings in the Seattle area.
As the first mixed-use hotel and residential project to be LEED certified in Seattle, Olive 8 was recognized as a high-performance building that is an ‘ecologically-responsible’ and efficient place to live, vacation and work.
The cornerstone Hyatt at Olive 8 hotel, located within the Olive 8 building, is one of only 20 hotels in the U.S. to be officially designated ‘green’ by the LEED Green Building Rating System.
According to David Thyer, CEO of R.C. Hedreen Company, the firm that planned and developed Olive 8, realizing the value of green building early on was instrumental in this success story.
Thyer said R.C. Hedreen did a significant redesign of the original building plans to ensure Olive 8 would meet the exacting LEED certification standards.
“A few years ago, it became obvious to us that green, sustainable and environmentally friendly design and construction is the future,” Thyer explained.
“All the research since then demonstrates that a green building is better for our bottom line, while also better for hotel guests and condo owners, both in terms of offering a healthier indoor environment and in terms of long-term investment value.
Olive 8 is proof that a building can be both green and sophisticated.”
Take a look at some of the grandiose, deluxe features mixed with natural elegance –
- a sleek 100-percent glass exterior,
- stunning blue glass architectural elements,
- and one of Seattle’s largest living ‘green’ rooftops.
The building’s green design will make a lasting positive impact on the local environment.
While you’re at the new ‘hot & environmentally-trendy’ LEED certified Hyatt Hotel, do pay a visit to ELAIA – an eco-savvy spa!
They even have green condos starting from $400k and going upto $7.5 million.
In addition to an expected energy savings of 23 percent more than a conventional building of similar size and occupancy, Thyer says Olive 8 should have water savings of about 36 percent, or approximately 2.4 million gallons each year.
Key elements that contribute to the energy-saving and eco-friendly nature of the building include:
- low-flow plumbing fixtures, which use one gallon per minute less than traditional showerheads;
- dual-flush toilets that use 29 percent less water per flush;
- a low-chemical mechanical water system that uses less potable water;
- landscaping maintenance that uses minimal city water, thanks to the use of native plant species and super-efficient irrigation systems.
- And, get this–in total, more than 95 percent of construction debris was diverted from landfill disposal by redirecting materials to be reused and recycled.
Now that’s called recycling with style!
“Our irrigation system results in a 99% savings from typical irrigation programs, an approximate savings of 24,000 gallons of water per year in addition to the 2.4 million gallons saved in the building,” Thyer noted.
Anyone can have innovative, energy and water conserving aspects to make a ‘green building’ or acquire a green home.
In fact, you can even become a green professional (like a LEED Green Associate) if you take up any of the myriad courses at CleanEdison.com.
Courses such as BPI Certification, LEED Certification, Solar Certification, Energy Auditor Training, Thermography Training, Wind Energy Certification, Weatherization Training and more are taken by the professionals who make homes, hotels and basically any building you require to be ‘green’.
