URBN Hotels Announces Plans to Create Vanke's First Hotel
China's next green hotel
November 16, 2010 - URBN Hotels & Resorts is collaborating with Vanke, China's largest residential real estate developer, to construct and operate what will be the most forward-thinking, sustainably-built and green-operated hotel in Asia. The 20,000 square metre boutique hotel is part of a larger project which will become a 200,000 square metre commercial, retail and residential development in the Sanlin district of Pudong in Shanghai, China. URBN's RMB 312 million project will include 55 unique hotel rooms, 50 URBN serviced residences, and 4,500 square metres of dining, wellness and art spaces.
Vanke has engaged URBN Hotels & Resorts to bring its philosophy of inspiration, sustainability and connection to Vanke's first hotel project. "We are delighted to be cooperating with such an experienced and forward-thinking developer", says Amina Belouizdad, Director of URBN Hotels & Resorts.
URBN Hotels & Resorts is renowned for its award-winning first property in Shanghai's Jingan district. The boutique hotel brand has been recognized as one of China's leading edge hotels. In addition to being China's first carbon-neutral hotel, the property has won numerous accolades for its commitment to environmentally-friendly operational practices, use of recycled and reclaimed materials in construction, and support of the green movement through events such as the annual Eco Fair.
Vanke and URBN are working together with Fumihiko Maki, the world-acclaimed Japanese architect currently working on the United Nations building and World Trade Centre Tower 4 in New York City, to design an innovative project with a strong commitment to sustainability throughout.
"The aim is to make this hotel go beyond sustainability ... it will be the first positive-impact hotel in China", says Jules Kwan, Managing Director of URBN Hotels & Resorts. There are several ideas being developed which will be revealed over the course of the 18-month construction period. "The hotel will increase the biodiversity of the site, and will discharge water that is cleaner than the water from the city's water supply", says Jules Kwan. The hotel will also be carbon-neutral, and will aim for LEED and China Green Star certifications. In addition, URBN Hotel Pudong will continue its green operations legacy by aiming to surpass the 35% energy savings target hit by the first URBN Hotel.
URBN Hotel Pudong will open in Spring 2012.
About Vanke:
Established in May 1984, China Vanke Co., Ltd. is currently the largest residential property developer in the People's Republic of China ("PRC"). Since the Company's listing on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 1991, the compound annual growth rate of its revenue from core operations was 28.3% and that of its net profit was 34.1%. China Vanke also enjoyed the longest period of sustained profit growth after listing in the PRC. Named twice as one of the "International Best Small Companies" by Forbes, the Company received the awards of "Best Corporate Governance" and "Best Investor Relations" from internationally renowned media such as Investor Relations Magazine, and Asiamoney. Thanks to its excellent corporate governance and high ethics codes, the Company was selected as one of "China's Most Respected Enterprises" for five consecutive years and received the award of "China's Best Corporate Citizen" for three consecutive years.
Website: http://www.vanke.com/docs/Portal/_vanke_master_linggongli.aspx
About Fumihiko Maki:
Maki and Associates was established in 1965 by Fumihiko Maki, upon his return from a ten year period of study, teaching, and practice in the United States. The office has been based in Tokyo throughout its 42 year history, and is currently staffed by forty architects, urban designers, and administrative personnel. Currently, the firm's overseas work includes the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa, Canada (2008), the Media Arts and Sciences Building at MIT (2008), the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania (2008), Novartis Office Building, Basel (2009), the Redevelopment of Taipei Main Station Area (2012), and Tower 4 of the World Trade Center Redevelopment (2012).
website: http://www.maki-and-associates.co.jp/e/index.shtml
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