About the source

Green Lodging News is published and edited by Glenn Hasek, a writer and consultant with more than 13 years of lodging industry experience. The goal of the site is to provide hotel owners and operators with the knowledge they need to save money through wise (green) product and service selection.

See more articles from Green Lodging News

June 3rd, 2008 in Featured • Hotels and Accommodations

Brad Pitt weighs in on new Dubai Five-Star Green Hotel

A new five-star hotel and leisure development by Zabeel Properties in Dubai has appointed LA-based architecture firm, GRAFT, whose team of design consultants for the project will include the Hollywood actor, Brad Pitt, whose activism within the green-living sector have been apparent over the past months.

A new five-star hotel and leisure development by Zabeel Properties in Dubai has appointed LA-based architecture firm, GRAFT, whose team of design consultants for the project will include the Hollywood actor, Brad Pitt, whose activism within the green-living sector have been apparent over the past months. Under GRAFT and Pitt’s tutelage, the hotel is set to become a flagship hotel complex for Dubai and a world leader in environmental sustainability, aiming for a minimum of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold status.

“Our master plan and design concept will be world-leading and we’re delighted to be collaborating with Brad Pitt and the team at GRAFT, which is recognized for its innovative building design,” said Robert Norton, CEO of Zabeel Properties. “This project will display our uncompromising focus and commitment for developing high quality and environmentally-sustainable real estate in this region.”

The actor’s other endeavor, Make It Right, is constructing 150 new affordable and sustainable homes in New Orleans for residents of its Lower 9th Ward, an area of the city devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Pitt, together with film producer Steve Bing, have pledged $5 million each to the Make it Right rebuilding project.

The 800-room luxury project will also be socially conscious. Zabeel properties is known for its commitment to fair working environments and community advancement.

“Whilst acting is my career, architecture is my passion,” Pitt said. “Selecting this development as my first major construction project has been a simple decision. It will underpin not only my values for environmentally-friendly architecture, but also embrace my career in entertainment. We will be unveiling precise plans in the next few months, but you can expect something that is not only stunning to look at, but that will also be an incredible attraction to visit or stay at.”

“This project will become a lead attraction in its own right for Dubai, the region and indeed worldwide,” said Wolfram Putz, one of GRAFT’s founders. “Working in this rapidly expanding location, which is now at the forefront of tourism and commerce in the Middle East, and at the same time collaborating with Brad Pitt makes this a unique opportunity for us all.”

There Is 1 Response So Far. »

Pingback by Brad Pitt Celebrity Gossip | Brad Pitt weighs in on new Dubai Five-Star Green Hotel on June 4th, 2008:

[...] A new five-star hotel and leisure development by Zabeel Properties in Dubai has appointed LA-based architecture firm, GRAFT, whose team of design consultants for the project will include the Hollywood actor, Brad Pitt, whose activism … Source: Brad Pitt weighs in on new Dubai Five-Star Green Hotel [...]