Choice Hotels International Checks in to New Global Headquarters

ROCKVILLE, Md., April 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc., one of the world's largest hotel companies, has completed its move and officially checked into its new state of the art global headquarters at 1 Choice Hotels Circle in Rockville, Maryland in the heart of Rockville Town Square. 

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130408/PH90750)

After more than 40 years based in nearby Silver Spring, Maryland, the move reflects the company's continued growth, the strong appeal of its hotel brands -- which include industry icons Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, and Econo Lodge and the newer upscale brand Cambria Suites, and the unique and upscale Ascend Hotel Collection membership program -- as well as Choice Hotels' desire to remain rooted in the Montgomery County community.

Choice Hotels worked with top level developers, architects, designers, project managers and sustainability consultants Foulger-Pratt Companies, WDG Architecture, VOA Associates, rand* construction corporation, AtSite, Inc. and Clear Real Estate Services to develop and manage the sleek new facility. The 135,000 square foot global headquarters maintains the feel of a hospitality company incorporating hotel elements such as check-in desks at reception, a stylish great room lounge, and a business center for visitors that helps to support tasks such as checking email or printing boarding passes. Featuring a wide open, contemporary design, the concept helps to encourage innovation, efficiency and collaboration.

Today more than 400 headquarter employees moved in to their new offices at 1 Choice Hotels Circle. Cutting edge technology and connectivity ensure associates and guests can work and relax throughout the building and outside on more than 3,500 square feet of patio space which offers an inviting open fire pit and outdoor living furniture as well as cafe tables. Non-conference room meeting and gathering spaces on every floor were created knowing great ideas come from everywhere.

Choice Hotels International selected Rockville, Maryland-based Foulger-Pratt Companies from a prestigious group of prominent owners and developers in the Washington Metropolitan Area to be the owner, developer, and general contractor of its new global headquarters. Now celebrating its 50^th year of operations, Foulger-Pratt is behind other notable real estate projects such as the Park Potomac luxury residential and retail development and the Washington, D.C. Mormon Temple located in Kensington, Maryland for which it served as design consultant and general contractor.

"We chose Foulger-Pratt to develop, own and be the general contractor for Choice's new world headquarters because of their excellent history of developing and constructing successful and prestigious commercial office and mixed-use real estate projects in the Washington, DC area,"  said Stephen P. Joyce, president and CEO of Choice Hotels International. "Foulger-Pratt was exceptional to work with throughout this process.  From the onset, they assured us they would develop and construct Class A commercial offices that would meet all of Choice Hotels' requirements, on time and within budget.  And they did.  They were even ahead of schedule."

Designed to meet the guidelines for certification under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the facility's sustainability features include water consumption that has been reduced by 40%, locally sourced building materials and controllable lighting and thermostats. Energy consumption will be further offset through Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) sourced from wind power. Foulger-Pratt and building designers WDG Architecture are pursuing a LEED Platinum certification for the overall facility.

The Choice Hotels workspace on floors four through nine was designed by VOA Associates, the architecture firm behind Choice Hotels' offices in Phoenix, Arizona which serve as the company's global technology hub. Like the Rockville headquarters, the Phoenix facility was based on an open design to help foster innovative ideas and teamwork. Other parties involved with this project include: rand* construction corporation, as the general contractor for the Choice Hotels workplace; AtSite, Inc. as project manager and LEED consultants; and Clear Real Estate Services as project manager.

About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises approximately 6,200 hotels, representing more than 499,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories.  As of December 31, 2012, 394 hotels, representing more than 31,000 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States.  Additionally, 88 hotels, representing approximately 7,800 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 20 other countries and territories.  The company's Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands, as well at its Ascend Hotel Collection membership program, serve guests worldwide.

Choice Hotels International offers the Choice Privileges® rewards program. With nearly 17 million members worldwide, it is one of the fastest growing loyalty programs in the travel industry.

Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. website, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com.

About The Foulger-Pratt Companies
Established in 1963, the Foulger-Pratt Companies represents one of the Washington region's most experienced and diverse real estate firms. The award-winning organization offers sustainable development, construction, asset management, and property management services. Examples of our work include Park Potomac mixed-use development, Downtown Silver Spring Redevelopment, Silver Spring Metro Center, Rockville Metro Plaza, and The Nature Conservancy Headquarters. The Foulger-Pratt Companies is headquartered in Rockville, MD.  For more information, visit: www.foulgerpratt.com.

About VOA Associates
VOA Associates is a global architectural design firm that blends the capabilities of a multinational company with the care and attention of a boutique studio. VOA creates distinctive, internationally acclaimed spaces that enhance the environment and improve the human experience – places for people to heal, learn, work and play. As one of the greenest architecture firms in the United States, VOA boasts more than 80 LEED APs who actively pursue the highest standard of sustainable design as a responsibility to the planet and future generations. For more information, visit www.voa.com.

About rand* construction corporation
Headquartered in Washington, DC, rand* construction corporation is a leading commercial general contractor specializing in building renovations, historic restoration, interior build-outs, design-build services and sustainable construction solutions. Founded in 1989, by Linda Rabbitt, rand* has grown from a small, Arlington-based firm into a $263 million national organization that is licensed to practice in 48 states and has satellite offices in Alexandria, VA;  Atlanta, GA; Orlando, FL; Austin, TX; Denver, CO and Wilmington, NC. Over 83% of rand's workload is for repeat clients, which attests to the quality of their 170 project managers, superintendents, and preconstruction professionals. rand* is an innovative leader in the construction and real estate industry via advancements in LEED consulting, Building Information Modeling (BIM), collaborative integrated project delivery, and overall best practices. rand* has received over 100 craftsmanship awards and has been honored repeatedly by organizations such as the Washington Building Congress, the Associated Builders and Contractors and the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties. For more information, please visit www.randcc.com.

About Clear Real Estate Services
Clear Real Estate Services provides an unbiased, collaborative, team approach to the management of commercial real estate projects.  We manage not only the design and construction of a project but also on the early stages of site selection, evaluation and over-all business and operational considerations. Always with a focus on the over-all real estate goals of the project. With over a combined 50 years of commercial real estate experience, our team has seen every eventuality in a project, base-building, interior, retro-fit and repositioning. Our experience enables us to navigate the complexities of a project and bring efficiency and clarity to the process for the owner and team. Our Team has managed projects for fortune 500 companies, developers, corporations, not-for-profits, associations, schools, universities, religious organizations, high-tech government contractors, retail operators, hotels and healthcare providers. www.clear-res.com

About AtSite, Inc.
With 20-years in real estate and facilities, we have a complete understanding of how buildings are designed, built and operated. Our deep expertise coupled with our knowledge of management practices, new technologies, energy management, and sustainability enables us to provide innovative solutions that maximize performance. We are especially adept at powering immediate results, while being a leading and trusted adviser for the future.

Our integrated approach combines expert, multi-disciplinary professionals; open, inter-operable building technologies; and best-in-class global industry partners who all share our mission to make buildings perform better. Our proven Building Performance Platform yields buildings that cost less, are of higher quality and provide better environments for people.

To create, optimize, and maintain high performing buildings, we offer professional consulting and managed services in four key practice areas: Smart Building Technologies, Energy, Sustainability, and Integrated Buildings. With a strong foundation in the design, construction and operation of buildings, we deliver unbiased and skilled attention to produce exceptional outcomes. Regardless of the engagement size or scope of work, our experienced and innovative team provides smart, consistent and measurable results. www.atsiteinc.com

Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Choice Privileges, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and Ascend Hotel Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.

© 2013 Choice Hotels International, Inc.  All rights reserved.            

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.