Opened in May of 2014 and managed by OTO Development, the four-star 167,888 square foot Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC/Georgetown Area hotel is an upscale mid-priced 238-room hotel situated within walking distance of Washington, D.C.’s most iconic attractions and corporations. Set in the scenic West End of downtown Washington, D.C., this Georgetown Area hotel effortlessly combines modern conveniences with classic luxuries. Upon opening, the Hilton Garden Inn began participating in the LightStay program, a Hilton Worldwide initiative to save energy by continuous measurement and reduction of electric, gas and water consumption.

Situated on a 15,600 square-foot lot at the corner of 22nd and M, the site’s original development team demolished the former Nigerian Embassy to make way for a hotel in 2008. Located just a few blocks from Dupont Circle and the Foggy Bottom metro, the recently completed Hilton Garden Inn at 2201 M St NW is pursuing LEED Silver for the mixed-use commercial property. Two levels of subsurface structure accommodate one level of parking for 53 cars and one level of office space. Building amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, heated rooftop pool, and an attractive garden terrace. Contributing to the LEED accreditation, this property was designed with condensate recovery, ventilation recovery, low VOC finishes and seven separate vegetative roofs over three different roof levels.

“We are very proud to be opening the Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC/Georgetown Area hotel this May,” said Carrie Stremsterfer, the Director of Sales at the Hilton Garden Inn. “We believe in environmental accountability as well as accountability towards our guests. With modern accommodations in one of D.C.’s trendiest neighborhoods, the Hilton Garden Inn is a fantastic choice for both corporate travel and D.C. tourism,” (2014 OTO Development Press Release).

The second level courtyard greenroof boasts over thirty different varieties of perennials and deciduous shrubs in engineered growing media ranging in depths of 8” to 16”. Triangular pyramidal skylights lend a modern feel to this outdoor space, while a perimeter green screen with trellising vines add additional urban greenification. Vegetation at the pool deck and penthouse roof levels consists of deciduous perennials intermixed with sedum and other succulents. Tall grasses installed near the building rising wall adjacent to the pool area offer contrasting vegetation heights. This varied plant pallet provides an alternating blooming pattern and year-round aesthetics.

Construction required coordination with multiple trades including masons, electricians, steelworkers and plumbers. Craning in a difficult and high-traffic area of DC made logistical coordination essential. Through contract grows with Kurt Bluemel, Emory Knoll Farms, and other vendors, Prospect was able to source over forty different plant varieties for this project.

The upper roof and penthouse roof plantings are a mix of perennials with sedums placed throughout. The bloom times of the perennials used will provide color throughout the season. The sedums will provide color in the cooler months.

Installed over American Hydrotech Garden Roof intensive growing media, system Filter, GR30 drainage and water retention layer, Root Stop HD, and GardMat, vegetation health is bolstered by Netafim below surface drip irrigation. This roof incorporates soil moisture sensors in lieu of standard irrigation timers to mitigate any unnecessary watering.