A landmark building in New Haven, Connecticut, that stood vacant for nearly 20 years has been reborn as a hotel that totally depends on sustainable energy. The former office building at 500 Sargent Drive, now called the Hotel Marcel, is the nation’s first net zero — or fossil fuel-free — hospitality property, earning it the 2023 CoStar Impact Award for a redevelopment in Westchester-Southern Connecticut, as judged by real estate professionals familiar with the market.
The property, which originally opened in 1970, is listed on the Connecticut Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places. It's considered an icon of Brutalist architecture from Hungarian architect Marcel Breuer. That design features unpainted concrete or brick and angular shapes. Becker + Becker Associates sought to revive the property, which is visible from busy Interstate 95, as a hotel that would have zero carbon emissions as well as embrace its architectural legacy.
The redevelopment proceeded through Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy, or C-PACE, financing provided by Nuveen Green Capital in partnership with Connecticut Green Bank.
About the project: The hotel’s solar array has more than 1,000 panels, both on the roof of the building and on canopies installed in the parking lot. That enables the property to generate 100% of its own electricity for lighting, heating, cooling and hot water for its facilities, including its 165 guest rooms and suites.
What the judges said: Laura Leeds, principal of Simon David Real Estate, said, "It's great to see a historic vacant building with tremendous visibility off of I-95 be brought back to life. Most of all I appreciate that this property is energy efficient and carbon neutral, which is great for our environment!"
They made it happen: Bruce Becker, president of Becker + Becker Associates; Jessica Bailey, president, CEO and co-founder of Nuveen Green Capital; Mike Doty, originations director, Northeast, for Nuveen Green Capital; and Mackey Dykes, vice president, financing programs, at Connecticut Green Bank.
