Three Marriott Brands-Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, and Residence Inn-have earned LEED volume pre-certification, which is based on a pre-approved prototype and process. Owners who followed the volume program for Courtyard, for example, saved about $100,000 in upfront costs and six months of design time. By saving 25 percent in energy and water consumption, hotels such as the Courtyard Pittsburgh Settlers Ridge should recover their additional investment in five to six years.
