NEW YORK—The 1,980-room Hilton New York has been awarded the 2008-2009 Environmental Recognition Program “Green Street” Award by the Avenue of the Americas Association. The award was presented at a gala reception held recently at the hotel’s Trianon Ballroom in celebration of the organization’s 83rd Anniversary Dinner/Dance. The Hilton New York received the award in recognition of its environmentally-friendly energy fuel cell, which sits atop the building’s fifth floor roof.
The Green Street Award was created to recognize members of the Association and other owners and tenants along the Avenue of the Americas for their efforts in adopting environmentally sustainable programs or improvements to their workplace. The gala marked a special occasion in the Association’s 83-year history, since it is the first time that the organization has introduced an environmental recognition program awards category for its owners and tenants along the Avenue of the Americas corridor.
Comprised of two categories, Certification/Achievements and Energy Efficiency/Sustainability Projects, nominees were broken down into three levels: buildings more than 1,000,000 square feet; buildings under 1,000,000 square feet; and tenant space.
In considering candidates for an award in the Energy Efficiency/Sustainability Projects category, the Avenue of the Americas Association looks for a building or tenant who adopts or develops energy-efficient systems that reduce emissions and/or energy use. The Hilton New York received the award in this category in the “buildings more than 1,000,000 square feet” level in recognition of its energy fuel cell which reduces the hotel’s overall carbon footprint in the community.
Honored by Award Recognition
“As the largest hotel in New York City and situated on one of the busiest thoroughfares in midtown Manhattan, we want to play an active role in improving the quality of the neighborhood in and around Avenue of the Americas by doing our part with our sustainable initiatives, such as the energy fuel cell,” said Conrad Wangeman, general manager, Hilton New York. “We are honored that the Association provided us with this prestigious award in recognition of our energy fuel cell and the important role it plays in producing clean and efficient fuel for the hotel, in keeping with our commitment to continue to pursue environmentally sustainable best practices for the benefit of our associates and our community.”
“The Hilton New York’s eco-conscious approach of adapting sustainable programs such as the energy fuel cell has shown us that they are committed in their efforts in making our neighborhood a better place to live and work,” said Andrew Gottesman, chairperson, Avenue of the Americas Association.
The PureCell system provides electric power and hot water throughout the hotel’s 2,000 rooms, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week without combustion. The system is nearly three times more energy efficient than the electric grid when used in combined heat and power applications. Since the fuel cell’s installation in October 2007, it has produced approximately 1.75M kilowatts per year of electricity for a total of nearly 3.5M kilowatt hours to date. That equates to approximately 6 percent of the hotel’s consumption.
The Avenue of the Americas Association, established in 1926, is a non-political civic improvement corporation conceived and directed to promote the commercial welfare of the city of New York. In particular, the Association’s aim is to act on behalf of its membership to address issues that affect business operations and the quality of life on and around the Avenue of the Americas.
Go to the Hilton New York.
