PROVIDENCE,
RI – (July 15, 2008) – First Bristol Corporation, the developers and managers
of the new Hampton Inn & Suites in downtown Providence, plan to incorporate
a series of environmentally-friendly initiatives at the historic site of
their new 110-room hotel property. Located in the heart of the financial
district, this notable building, the original home of the Old Colony Bank
and most recently St. Francis Chapel, will feature cutting-edge, energy
efficient technology to yield greater customer satisfaction and lower operating
expenses after it opens in December 2008. These “green” renovations
will significantly reduce the amount of energy used to provide heating,
air conditioning and electricity throughout the hotel.
“Although this building offers a unique charm and character reminiscent
of old Providence,” said Ed Landry, Vice President of Construction for
First Bristol Corporation. “Our renovations for this historic site keep
much of the traditions alive, but at the same time meet the demands of
an ever-changing economy and evolving guest experience.”
The Hampton Inn & Suites Providence-Downtown will maintain a High-Efficient
Heat Recovery System which will reuse existing heated and cooled air within
various areas of the hotel to assist heating and air conditioning where
needed, thus reducing the need to generate more power. This system
can also heat and cool different areas on the same day by reusing heat
removed from outside of the “sunny” side of the building, and then send
it to the cooler “shady” side of the building. In addition, all the
windows in the existing building are being replaced with new energy efficient
insulated windows to reduce energy loss.
“These systems were simply not available 80-years ago when the building
was originally built,” added Landry. “Simple refurbishments such
as adding a blanket of insulation in the wall cavities, roofs and around
all piping will greatly reduce HVAC costs and provide more comfort to guests.
Today, we have the unique ability to enhance the building’s future for
our next generation of visitors.”
In the guest rooms and commercial areas, computerized thermostats,
which contain sensors, will raise and lower temperatures as they sense
occupants or movement within a room. Commercial areas will also use automatic
light sensors that turn on/off depending upon activity. In the laundry
facilities, a large energy user, a new “ozone cleaning system” will substantially
reduce the amount of water and significantly eliminate the need to use
chemicals when cleaning linens.
Some additional modifications to the historic building include: 95-percent
efficient boilers for hot water which put out and maintain higher volumes
of hot water with much less heat loss, creating better output at lower
costs; and Water Source Heat Pump HVAC units in the common areas that provide
low cost operation and the ability to simultaneously heat and cool separate
parts of the building at the same time for greater guest comfort.
Elaine Murphy has been named Area Director of Sales, overseeing
the sales and marketing efforts for the hotel.
Ms. Murphy has worked with First Bristol Corporation since February
2005, serving as Sales and Marketing manager for the award-winning Hampton
Inn in Raynham, MA, and was part of the management team which opened the
Hampton Inn & Suites in Middletown, RI. Murphy will continue
to oversee the sales efforts in Raynham, while ramping up their Providence
hotel.
“Elaine brings unparalleled experience and understanding of the Hampton
Inn & Suites brand to this project and we are excited to have her as
part of our core management team,” said James Karam, president and CEO
of First Bristol. “The Hampton Inn & Suites – Downtown Providence
brings a much needed and highly sought after new lodging segment to the
City of Providence, offering value without sacrificing the high level of
amenities and exceptional service business and leisure travelers expect.”
“This is a great opportunity to help open the Hampton Inn & Suites
in downtown Providence, and I look forward to working with the management
team to make this hotel the leading sales hotel in the Capital City,” commented
Ms. Murphy.
Ms. Murphy brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience to her
new position, having started out her career with Dunfey Hotels and later
with the Westford Regency in Westford, MA, serving in roles of increasing
responsibility in banquet service, meetings and facilities, catering and
outside sales. Ms. Murphy later worked at the luxurious waterfront
Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina, and in 2003 she was introduced to the
Hilton Family of Hotels serving as Area Sales Manager for both the Hampton
Inn in Braintree, MA as well as the Hampton Inn & Suites at TF Green
Airport.
A native from Chelmsford, MA, Ms. Murphy is a graduate of Bentley College
in Waltham, MA. She currently resides in Acushnet, MA. |
About the Hampton Inn & Suites Providence
Located in the heart of the financial district, Hampton Inn & Suites
Providence-Downtown takes shape inside the original home of Old Colony
Bank and most recently St. Francis Chapel. This historic building
sits adjacent to nearby corporate neighbors, including Bank of America,
Textron, and Citizens Bank, and universities such as Brown University,
Johnson & Wales, and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).
Upon completion in December 2008, the Hampton Inn & Suites Providence-Downtown
will offer 110 beautifully appointed guest rooms, including 38 suites,
32 king rooms, and 40 standard rooms, and will feature limited meeting
and function space.
High-quality accommodations and services, combined with competitive
rates have made Hampton Inn & Suites a leader in the mid-price segment,
and one of the fastest growing hotel brands. The Hampton Inn &
Suite Providence-Downtown will feature free airport valet service, a fitness
center, a business center, free property-wide high-speed Internet access,
and a complimentary full-menu breakfast. The guest rooms will include
hi-definition plasma televisions, iPod-compatible stereo systems, deluxe
bedding, in-room microwaves and refrigerator units.
Hampton Inn & Suites is part of the Hilton Hotels Corporation,
recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The Hilton
family of hotels includes many of the world’s best known and most highly
regarded hotel brands, including, Hilton, Conrad, Doubletree, Embassy Suites
Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Harrison Conference Centers,
Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations Company and Homewood Suites by
Hilton.
About First Bristol Corporation
First Bristol Corporation is a thirty-year old real estate development
firm that has developed over 3 million square feet of office, shopping
centers, and hotels throughout Southern New England. |