Starwood HQ earns highest LEED certification

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.’s global headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut in the United States has earned the highest LEED certification available.

The group’s internal Global Citizenship team began working with architects and designers in 2009 to earn a LEED Platinum certification from the US Green Building Council.

In order to earn the certification, the group implemented a number of measures, including glass walls and doors for offices on the exterior walls of the office; daylight harvesting to automatically dim lights when bright outside.

Starwood also maximised all of the points available for water reduction by renovating the bathrooms and installing waterless urinals, low-flow faucets and fixtures, and dual flush toilets.

The centralised printing stations reduced the number of printers on each floor, and cut paper and ink waste, and the company added full-scale recycling in its pantries as well as added dishes and dishwashers on each floor to cut down on disposable plates and flatware.

During construction, Starwood sourced materials locally to reduce excessive transportation of materials and recycled 85% of its construction materials in order to keep discarded products out of landfills.

Starwood will continue make other improvements, including more LED lighting and launching a property energy management system.

The group’s efforts are in line with its goals to cut energy use by 30%, water use by 20%, and carbon emissions by 30% at all of its hotels globally.

Commenting on the certification, Ken Siegel, chief administrative officer, general counsel and head of global citizenship at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. "We made a long-term investment in Stamford when we moved our global headquarters here and our extensive work for LEED certification is one way we continue to create a healthy and environmentally conscious work environment, which helps with retention, reduces energy consumption, and creates a more pleasant working experience.

"We’re proud of the dedication it took to achieve this certification – after more than five years – and proud of our associates’ commitment to the Harbor Point community."