Starwood’s new Element brand, which is the first to mandate that all hotels pursue green certification, has received pre-certification from the U.S. Green Building Council to ensure that new properties can easily achieve LEED status.
Although Element is the first hotel brand to mandate the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design status, it is not the first prototype to gain the volume pre-certification.
Courtyard by Marriott last year achieved pre-certification for its green prototype. But that brand does not require builders to follow the green prototype, it just provides the option.
The pre-certification makes it easier and cheaper for developers and partners to pursue LEED certification of new properties, according to Paul Sacco, Starwood's senior vice president of development.
"Building from a prototype that's already LEED pre-approved means that Starwood helps our partners substantially reduce consulting fees, spend less on applications and certifications, and minimize documentation requirements wherever possible," Sacco said in a statement
"This presents a real incentive for partners and developers to join us in the pursuit of more sustainable buildings and greener operations."
Element’s prototype is based on the brand's hotel in Lexington, Mass., which achieved LEED Gold certification in 2008.
At that property, sustainable strategies led to 20% higher energy efficiency, a 32% reduction in water use, nearly 70% of power purchased as Green Power and the use of low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) materials throughout the hotel.
Element, an extended-stay brand inspired by Westin, has seven U.S. hotels.