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The building of a green hotel

TOM RAND

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 9:44 AM EDT 01/05/08

From derelict to profitable: Tom Rand's bid to create an eco-role model ...Read the full article

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  1. Phil M from Toronto, Canada writes: Wasn't there a blog on G&M about this like, forever ago? Isn't this an old project ? Or am I misremembering?
  2. Tom Rand from Toronto, Canada writes: Hi Phil - Yes, this blog is being re-launched. We encountered some significant delays with getting our initial permits, and so there was very little actual progress on the building itself and so all of my ruminations remained frustratingly theoretical. Renos are now in full-swing, and the blog will have an update each week on that progress. - photos, etc. In other words - it's no longer theoretical.
    Tom Rand
  3. Betsy D. from Canada writes: I remember the blog too Phil!
    Just can't recall if it was the same people??
  4. Diana Juricevic from Netherlands writes: Congratulations!! What a fantastic idea, it's great that Toronto is finally going green and supporting such initiatives. You'll have to let Europe know about your hotel. Here in the Netherlands, we're very aware of how our habits impact the environment. We don't have much of a choice, given the population density and "below sea level" status. Let's hope Canada can do its part and support bright, energetic, and "green" entrepreneurs like yourself. Go Canada go!
  5. Ana K from Netherlands writes: Great initiative - and this from an uninformed reader. Please, I still buy 500mL bottles of water. Most of us know it's our duty to "do our part", and to start making changes. This hotel thing is one way to say, "Hey look, it works". And that's what many of us need to see.

    I recently watched a BBC program about a municipality in Sweden, taking an initiative to become fossil-fuel free. One heck of a task. But things like, heating systems fuelled by pellets and straw. Using biogas as vehicle fuel. I think there was one example where meters for heat, electricity and water were installed visibly in apartments, so that occupants would be "reminded" of their consumption. (NB to hotel guy: use that idea for your hotel rooms!!) But seriously, these Swedes are setting an example by doing. Putting it into practice. Clearing snow off bike paths first, before the roads. I suppose an overall awareness of energy efficiency and behavioural changes is a precurser to all of this.

    Very chuffed to have come across this article - curious to see how this develops!
  6. Keen2B Green from Kincardine, Canada writes: Looks like a very worthwhile project! I am very interested in green building - I have been trying to learn as much as I can in anticipation of building a passive solar energy efficient home in 2 years. I have found it difficult to sort out what is really green and practical vs. what is greenwash or not at all feasable, so I hope these articles will help.
  7. T Kant from Montreal, writes: Ana, it's not only the Swedes who are setting an example by doing: in Canada the geothermal heat pump market is growing at about 40% annually. Canada also has the world's most comprehensive quality assurance program for the technology, new this year.

    Tom, I work with the national associaiton, the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition, and I have a background in green buildings. I'm really glad to see your blog and look forward to the discussion. Please don't hesitate to let me know if we can be of help.
  8. Anthony L from Canada writes: Real estate has always been populated by visionaries and their money and I look forward to buying the building when you go bankrupt. With extensive renovation, carrying and purchase costs and a business model that caters to the cheapest segment of the travelling public. Good luck.

    In order for hostels to make money they must cater to volume so wait till the NIMBY resident associations get wind that you want to create a Mecca for hordes of drunk travellers and back packers. Rooftop patio... closed by 11. Again good luck.

    There is a slice of hell on earth and it is called City Hall. Wait till the red tape really starts to fly as inspector after inspector will hold up your project as nobody wants to sign off on anything that may be controversial. Yes you may have fought to get the permits but there is a bureaucracy that is legion who will do everything to crush anything innovative or different. I'm not even going to touch the beast known as Toronto Hydro. Luck has nothing to do here, I give you my sympathy.

    The hostel idea is a romantic one but loose it. The only way to make any money on this high priced venture is to go after the well healed urban hipster and their ever expanding credit card debt. The Drake and The Gladstone make the bulk of their revenue from Food, Drink and events. The Hotel part is an afterthought that allows them to have increased licence capacity.

    So good luck as College is the graveyard of the boutique hotel, remember the old bar Barcode which has stood empty for years. First welcomed by the emperor/councillor Joe Pants and then slowly strangled to death with red tape.
  9. Diana J from Netherlands writes: Europe is already moving in this direction, and the model is working, despite the bureaucratic red tape that is the EU. It's about time supply meets the demand for "green" products and services.
  10. G Rod from Toronto, Canada writes: Andrew, wow, you're a real 'go-getter', eh? Nice to see - that's the spirit that allows us to keep on achieving greatness!
  11. Alan Ott from Toronto, Canada writes: I have wondered what happened to this project as I thought that the original story ran over one year ago, and since then I have not seen any progress on the site. Glad to see that the project is still on the go!
  12. Kevin Leung from Toronto (York University), Canada writes: Definitely consider working with architectsAlliance. They have a very impressive track record of designing and constructing green buildings (including my residence at York University, Canada's first "green res").

    And I also applaud your green-green philosophy of environmentally-sustainable economics and economically-sound environmentalism. With climate change such a pressing issue in today's society, it's about time more of us stepped into the modern world and began combining (rather than polarizing) the environment with the economy!
  13. Denis VD from Canada writes: Good to see that things seem to be progressing again.

    I think Anthony L brings up some good points about the potential profitability of the hostel. Especially when needing to amortize more capital costs from both the extra measures as well as the money you are burning jumping through teh city hall hoops.

    This is something that has been niggling at me since I first read about the project.

    I am sure you and Anthony have done the business planning and pricing analysis but I think it needs to be Marketed as a bit more upscale of a Hostel / Lower End Hotel.

    I guess more to the point I (and Anthony L) are concerned about your ongoing profitability in this market segment.

    Remember you have to Make Green in order to STAY Green.

    DVD

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