JAMAICA will get its first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building with the completion of the 129-room Marriott Hotel in New Kingston early next year.

The hotel is expected to set a high standard for energy conservation, water efficiency and overall environmental sustainability and also attract more international brands to Kingston.

The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Kingston was funded by a loan of US$6.75 million from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and US$1 million in equity, as well as US$5.3-million loan from the World Bank to Caribe Hospitality SA for the Caribe Hospitality Kingston programme.

The total cost of the programme is US$23.7 million.

Stephen Facey (right), chairman & CEO, Pan-Jamaican Investment Trust Ltd, escorts visiting Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) President Luis Alberto Moreno (second right) on a tour of the Marriott Courtyard Hotel under construction in New Kingston. With them are Therese Turner-Jones, country representative, IDB and Ambassador Richard Bernal, counselor for Jamaica, IDB. The Marriott Hotel is being built with funding assistance from the IDB.