1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge: is this New York's greenest hotel?
The latest hotel opening in New York – a swish modern block draped in plants and sunk into the embrace of Brooklyn Bridge Park – is laudably eco. The green-conscious 1 Hotel group's newest outpost is completely powered by wind, bedrooms have hemp-blend mattresses and there’s a fleet of free electric Tesla cars for guests to borrow.
More than half of the materials used to build 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge were 'reclaimed' – including pine floors pulled out from an old Kentucky distillery and beams from a closed-down Brooklyn sugar factory. The rooftop pool and bar, opening in May, is fashioned from salvaged railroad ties.
The first thing that hits guest when they walk in is a 25ft wall that lurches and sways with plants. Strange drapings that resemble gently undulating black waves hang behind the reception desk; OVEREACHOTHER (sic), a piece by local artist Jarrod Beck, is made of bits of rubber salvaged from the roof of a retail store in upstate New York after it was destroyed by a tornado two years ago.
There’s also some impressive energy-saving projects going on behind the scenes at Brooklyn’s newest kid on the block: they only use low-energy light bulbs, and the team have built a system to trap rainwater and help irrigate the neighbouring Brooklyn Bridge Park.
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The green theme continues in the rooms, with the hemp-blend mattresses swaddled in organic cotton sheets, Triple Clear filtered water running from the taps and zany plant installations sprouting from the walls. They also have spectacular views of the river and Brooklyn Bridge.
A lot of details are 'Made in Brooklyn' by local artisans, from the 'crane-inspired' wardrobes to funky glass lighting fixtures. Blackened steel, rough leather headboards and recycled wood flooring completes the look.
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If you live for the carb-stuffed hotel club sandwich and chips when you go away, this place probably isn't for you. A farm stand in the lobby sells fruits, nuts and granola, and there is emphasis on local produce in all three of the restaurants. Neighbors café [sic] will offer riverfront dining in the summer months. The lounge eatery makes use of foraged produce and local botanicals.
Guests can also sip a cocktail and drink in the Manhattan skyline from the rooftop, loll around in the plunge pool or warm up by one of the fire pits with a glass of wine. Full Moon Parties and community yoga are in the pipeline too.
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60 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States (00 1 877 803 1111; 1hotels.com). For more New York recommendations, read our guide to the best hotels.
