Chrysie Alexiou, Contributing Photographer

Hotel Marcel has won the title of Connecticut’s ugliest building — twice. It is also one of the most sustainable hotels in America.

The building was designed in 1969 by Hungarian architect Marcel Breuer. A massive redesign in 2020 transformed the hotel into a model of sustainability.

“It just seems like a natural thing to do if you’re responsible for making buildings, why would you not want to make them in a way that is responsible for the climate?” said Bruce Becker ARC ’84 SOM ’85, owner, architect and the developer behind the redesign. “So, the bigger question, why doesn’t everyone else feel that same way?” 

The hotel is powered exclusively by renewable energy, avoiding fossil fuels and reflecting Becker’s voiced commitment to sustainable development. Its roof is lined by over 1,000 solar panels and parking canopies fuel the hotel. When there is not enough solar energy to power the building, it relies on battery power.

The hotel uses up to 80 percent less energy than the average U.S. hotel and is 60 percent more efficient than New Haven building codes requirements. As a result, Hotel Marcel is one of only 10 hotels in the U.S. to be granted a platinum LEED — Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design — certificate, the highest standard possible under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Standards.

Hotel Marcel was also, Becker said, the first hotel in the nation to use commercial scale air source heat pumps for producing hot water, which employ warmth from the air to heat water and use 30 to 50 percent less energy than usual water heaters. It is also equipped with an entirely electric kitchen and laundry room, and the kitchen obtains food from a strict 250 mile radius to reduce its carbon footprint.

The staff themselves also work sustainably. Any food scraps produced are composted, single use plastic is barred and guest towels are washed only on request, instead of every night.

If Hotel Marcel used fossil fuels for its functions, it would need 846 acres of mature forest to offset its carbon emissions every single year, according to its website. It is on track to becoming the first net zero carbon hotel in America.

Its biggest reduction in carbon emissions, however, comes from the hotel being repurposed rather than necessitating an entirely new construction. Building conversions typically cut carbon emissions by 50 to 70 percent compared to erecting new buildings. In additon, any equipment used for operations after the  renovation do not utilize fossil fuels, according to Becker.

“It’s actually a pretty easy thing to do, to make all electric buildings now, because you just choose electric equipment instead of fossil fuel equipment,” said Becker.

While Becker supports all buildings moving away from fossil fuels, he said that he believes change across the board is unlikely to happen soon. He explained that humans are creatures of habit, and often do not wish to admit that previous practices are wrong.

Kathy Fay, director of community sustainability at the Neighborhood Housing Services nonprofit, confirmed that New Haven is “actively electrifying” its buildings. She said that she is pleased with the presence of such a sustainable building in New Haven.

“I have a real pride in the fact that this building is here, even though I didn’t do it,” Fay said. “It’s always been my favorite building.”

Despite confirmation that New Haven is interested in electrifying buildings, Becker still noted that Yale constructs buildings with the use of fossil fuels. 

The University did not immediately respond to request for comment on its use of fossil fuels. Although the University’s sustainability plan aims to eliminate campus emissions by 2050, the Central Power Plant operates primarily using natural gas. 

The hotel also hosts many conferences and events focusing on sustainability and eco-friendly developments. On Monday, for example, the Northeast Electric Vehicle Symposium gathered at Hotel Marcel.

“This hotel is just unbelievable,” said Mayor Justin Elicker who was speaking at the symposium.

Hotel Marcel opened to the public in May 2022.

Correction, 9/19: The previous version of the article incorrectly stated Fay’s workplace.