Is this the most eco-friendly hotel in the world?

Inside the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge: The greenest hipster hangout in New York

The 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge was very literally redesigned by nature. In 2012 the structural architecture of the original 1 Hotel was nearing completion. But then Hurricane Sandy hit New York and the 85-acre beautification project that stretching 1.3 miles along the East River waterfront was brought to a shuddering halt.

There scale of the destruction was unprecedented. Then, when the waterfront zoning for the area was changed to prevent similar damage from occurring in the future, the hotel was forced to undergo a massive redesign.

But rather than try to put a gloss on the delay, the 1 Hotels decided to embrace the disaster and create a hotel that truly paid homage to the awesome and delicate power of nature. 54 per cent of the materials used in the build of the hotel were reclaimed or acquired from regional, sustainable sources, including: the original heart pine beams from the former Domino Sugar Factory, walnut from the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, and pine flooring from the Old Crow Distillery in Kentucky.

1 Hotels decided to embrace the disaster and create a hotel that paid homage to the awesome power of nature

As well as using intelligent building materials to boost the eco credentials of the hotel, there’s also some seriously smart technology at work behind the scenes. A rain-water reclamation system reduces storm water runoff by over 50 per cent. The property as a whole also uses 100 per cent wind power energy.

The 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge doesn’t just have green credentials, it is literally green. When you walk into the lobby you are immediately confronted by a 25ft “green wall” which is covered in hand-placed plants and creeping vines that will evolve over time. This greenery even follows you into your bedroom where you are confronted by a living moss and miniature green garden.

Each of the 194 guest rooms, including The Riverhouse Presidential Suite, is a shrine to wellbeing. Floor-to-ceiling sliding windows offer serene views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, looking out over the busy East River waterway. If you are in the right room, you may even get a perfect aerial view of the hypnotic Anish Kapoor sculpture “Descension” – an endlessly swirling pool of water.

And the eco-lifestyle doesn’t stop there. The mattresses are a custom hemp-blend by Keetsa wrapped in 100% organic sheets. Each room comes with its own tap which pours triple clear filtered water. There are in-room yoga mats, on-demand meditation content by Biet Simkin, 5 minute hour-glass timers in the showers to remind guests to conserve water, and riverview hammocks.

This year the 4,000 square foot rooftop pool and bar will open to the public allowing guests to party in style, with a serious view.

1 Hotels Brooklyn Bridge nightly rates start at $500.

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