Green roof tops massive new convention hotel in Baltimore

Baltimore’s convention product took a leap forward last Friday with the grand opening of the Hilton Baltimore, a 757-room headquarters hotel adjacent to the Baltimore Convention Center and Camden Yards. Baseball legend Babe Ruth’s daughter, Julia Ruth Stevens, was the first guest to register at the new property.

The new $300 million hotel also features the biggest green roof system in Baltimore. Two green areas top the property’s east and west buildings to form a total living green space of 32,000 square feet — slightly larger than a football field.

"The Hilton Baltimore inhabits a prominent space in both the commercial and cultural heart of Baltimore," said Jeff Diskin, senior vice president for brand management with Hilton Hotels & Resorts. "This is our third Hilton Hotel in the Baltimore area and we are excited to add this unique property to our portfolio and to hosting the growing number of business and leisure visitors flocking to this dynamic city."

The Hilton Baltimore was built with event organizers and business travelers in mind. The property has the largest ballroom in the city at 25,000 square feet. Further, event planners can access an array of meeting facilities at the new hotel ranging from the 60,000 square feet of flexible function space, to the 15,000-square-foot junior ballroom, in addition to another 20,000 square feet of usable space. The Hilton also features an enclosed sky bridge to the Baltimore Convention Center.

The Hilton's green roof "plant palette" includes six species and more than 60,000 one-inch plugs. Self-generating sedum is the key plant used on the roof. It is resistant to drought and happy in thin soil.

Green roofs are used to provide urban habitat to wildlife, reduce storm runoff, improve air and water quality, lower temperatures and boost aesthetics.

The property is a major fixture in the redevelopment of Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

"The decision to move forward with this hotel represents one of the crucial moments in our history -- when we had the courage to pursue what we might become," said Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon. "Baltimore is already becoming a more desirable destination for tourists and conventions, a city that offers more quality jobs and more affordable housing and a place that promises a brighter future for everyone who lives, works and plays here."


| Other Headlines for August 27, 2008

National Tour Association endorses green certification plan (Travel Agent Central)

10 tips for a sustainable trade show (Advent Blog)

Facing downturn, Citigroup bans off-site meetings (Bloomberg)

Green guide to Denver’s DNC (Huffington Post)