ATLANTA—Hotel Indigo recently announced the opening of its newest hotel, Hotel Indigo Athens University Area. Slated to achieve LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) later this year, the hotel will be the first private development in Athens to achieve LEED certification and one of only five hotels in the nation to achieve Gold status.

The LEED green building certification system is the nationally recognized standard for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

The five-story, 130-room hotel will also highlight Athens’ rich art and entertainment history with a full-service, on-site art gallery and music venue. Mercury Art Works will feature fine artwork produced primarily by local artists with exhibitions changing seasonally. An on-site, state-of-the-art music venue will host intimate musical performances by regionally and nationally acclaimed artists, including Christopher Cross, Shawn Mullins, Kim Carnes, and Edwin McCain.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the opening of Hotel Indigo Athens as it will be the first LEED Gold-certified hotel in IHG’s portfolio and the second LEED certified hotel for the brand,” said Gina LaBarre, vice president, brand delivery, Hotel Indigo. “By combining regionally-inspired design and sustainability with local art and music, Hotel Indigo Athens complements the unique character and charm of downtown and is sure to be a great addition to the community.”

Rialto Property Partners Developed Hotel

The Hotel Indigo Athens was developed by Atlanta-based Rialto Property Partners, LLC and is managed by Park Place Hospitality Group from North Carolina. As property owners, Rialto is under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.

“We are excited to have created something that is very unique to Athens, yet at the same time, also very reflective of the city and the community itself,” said Rick Fine, CEO of Rialto Property Partners. “By combining an upscale hotel environment that fuses the rich local art and music scene with the best in environmental responsibility, we’re building on Athens’ strong downtown heritage and creating a memorable experience for those who visit this hotel.”

To ensure LEED Gold certification, Rialto Property Partners engaged Melaver Inc., a Savannah-based consulting firm, for its expertise in sustainable development. Recycled and locally-manufactured materials were utilized in the building’s construction and all guestroom furniture was sourced from a regional manufacturer within 500 miles from the hotel. Additional green innovations include: a regenerative elevator; low-flow plumbing fixtures; an outdoor water cistern that collects condensation from the air-conditioning system to supply irrigation to courtyard foliage; and a variable-refrigerant-flow-zoning heating and air-conditioning system.

Taking inspiration from Athens’ distinct and Southern heritage, Atlanta-based Surber Barber Choate & Hertlein Architects Inc. shaped the building to be reminiscent of the region’s covered bridges, and Ellen Hanson Designs of New York City gave the interiors a “southern farmstead modern” feel. Embracing the brand’s Interpret Indigo design platform, each guestroom features oversized locally-reflective photo murals of native flowers found in a nearby garden. The images were taken by well-known local photographer Rinne Allen.

Go to the Hotel Indigo Athens University Area.