Greenhouse 26, the first green boutique hotel in New York City, will open at 132 W. 26th St. in Spring 2008. Blending first-class amenities with progressive environmental initiatives, Greenhouse 26 will apply for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold status, establishing that hotels of all sizes can be successfully green.
Sustainability has been an integral part of the development and design process for developers Jack Ancona, who has been in the New York City real estate industry for over 50 years, and Flatiron Real Estate Advisors LLC. With the belief that outstanding design is inherently green, the 27-room hotel will marry contemporary decor with LEED Gold-standard conservation of energy, electricity, water, materials and waste.
Pioneering the use of geothermal energy, Greenhouse 26 will be the first hotel in New York City to utilize a geothermal heating and cooling system. The 19-story building is the ideal size for this technology, which requires a 1,500-foot-deep underground well for every six to 10 stories. Energy and cost savings are estimated at 40 percent.