The Lord Jeffery Inn in Amherst, MA Awarded Prestigious LEED® Green Building Certification

AMHERST, Mass. - May 15, 2013 - PRLog -- Amherst, MA -- The Lord Jeffery Inn (http://www.lordjefferyinn.com/) recently announced that it has been awarded LEED® Silver established by the U.S. Green Building Council (http://www.usgbc.org/) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).  LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. The Lord Jeffery Inn is one of only two hotels in Massachusetts with this certification, and one of the three member hotels in the Historic Hotels of America Program that has achieved this level of recognition.

“Achieving LEED Silver at a nearly 90-year-old Inn is a great accomplishment for our team,” commented Robert Reeves, General Manager for The Lord Jeffery Inn. “It proves that in even the most historic properties, we can incorporate effective and efficient means of conserving energy, water and other natural resources while still providing our guests the modern touches that address the evolving needs of today’s traveler,” Reeves added.

The Lord Jeffery Inn, which is owned by the Amherst Inn Company, an affiliate of Amherst College (https://www.amherst.edu/), was built in 1926 and has been an integral part of Amherst and the surrounding community for more than 80 years. The 49-room historic Inn underwent a multi-million dollar restoration and transformation in January of 2012, including an upgrade to the 46,000 sq. ft. building's internal systems, as well as significant energy-efficiency improvements making it one of the greenest inns in the Pioneer Valley. The Lord Jeffery Inn achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies.  By using less energy and water, 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.

“With each new LEED-certified building, we get one step closer to USGBC’s vision of a sustainable built environment within a generation,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “As the newest member of the LEED family of green buildings, The Lord Jeffery Inn is an important addition to the growing strength of the green building movement.”

LEED certification of The Lord Jeffery Inn was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:  

•          Energy Efficient Guest Room Occupancy System

•          Efficient Lighting

•          Geothermal Heat Pumps

•          Energy Recovery Ventilation

•          High Quality Efficient Plumbing Fixtures

U.S. Green Building Council

The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.  

With a community comprising 80 local affiliates, more than 18,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 167,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.

Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.

LEED

The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. Over 100,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED rating systems, comprising over 8 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 114 countries.  

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.

USGBC was co-founded by current President and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, who spent 25 years as a Fortune 500 executive.  Under his 15-year leadership, the organization has become the preeminent green building, membership, policy, standards, influential, education and research organization in the nation.  

For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.

The Lord Jeffery Inn

For more than 80 years, The Lord Jeffery Inn has been an integral part of Amherst and the surrounding community. The 46,000 square foot Lord Jeffery Inn was originally built in the 1920’s, and the newly renovated 94-suite hotel is designed to attract the extended stay business traveler, as well as the corporate and leisure traveler. The property features studios with Jacuzzis, as well as one and two bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens, living rooms, and dining areas. Additional hotel amenities include an exercise facility, indoor pool and whirlpool, an outdoor sports court and BBQ area, a business center, meeting facilities, free high speed internet access, daily full hot breakfast buffet, evening social reception and grocery shopping service. The Lord Jeffery Inn is managed by Waterford Hotel Group (http://www.waterfordhotelgroup.com/), a national hotel and convention center management firm.

For more information, visit www.lordjefferyinn.com.