Hostelling International celebrates opening of new $43 million Boston hostel

Boston mayor Thomas Menino, Hostelling International USA (HI-USA) officials, community leaders and travelers recently celebrated the grand opening of the new Boston hostel located in downtown Boston at the intersection of the Midtown Cultural District, Theatre District, and Chinatown. The new 480-bed hostel, which replaces the 208-bed hostel currently located in the city's Fenway neighborhood, has been built to LEED green building certification program standards and is expected to be the first LEED Certified hostel in the nation. Hostelling International Boston will welcome more than 46,000 guests annually, 60% of who will be international visitors, mostly between the ages of 18 to 30. The influx of hostellers will generate more than $16 million of direct spending by hostel guests at Boston restaurants, entertainment venues, and sightseeing spots across the city, greatly enhancing the local economy. The $43 million project was funded through a combination of New Market and Federal and State Historic Tax credits, private financing, and proceeds from an ongoing capital campaign. "I congratulate Hostelling International on this great new facility and welcome the many new visitors it will attract," said governor Deval Patrick. "I applaud the efforts of Hostelling International Boston to create affordable accommodations for travelers to the city," said mayor Menino. "This hostel, located right in the heart of our downtown, will draw visitors from all over, but I am equally impressed with the possibility of this being the first LEED Gold certified hostel in the country. That speaks volumes about Hostelling International and Boston's status as a green city." "I applaud the efforts of Hostelling International Boston to create affordable accommodations for travelers to the city," said mayor Menino. "This hostel, located right in the heart of our downtown, will draw visitors from all over, but I am equally impressed with the possibility of this being the first LEED Gold certified hostel in the country. That speaks volumes about Hostelling International and Boston's status as a green city." "We are thrilled to open the doors to this state-of-the-art facility, which provides travelers safe, affordable and eco-friendly accommodations right in the heart of Boston," said Deborah Ruhe, executive director of Hostelling International New England. "The celebration was a wonderful kickoff to a summer tourist season and our hostel will enable us to share the mission of international understanding through travel with more guests." With prices starting at $29 per night per guest and with enhanced amenities, such as common space and private bathrooms adjacent to each room, budget travelers will be able to experience Boston's culture and history without sacrificing comfort or safety. The building caters to the growing international trend toward more environmentally-conscious travel. The adaptive re-use of the historic building integrates new and efficient green technologies and features, including recycled building materials, green elevators, and ENERGY STAR appliances and equipment. The new hostel's lobby, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a coffee bar and a community room is open to the public and supports Hostelling International's mission to promote intercultural exchange between guests and the community by providing a place to congregate and connect. Community space will also serve as a platform for educational and service programs such as Alternative Spring Break (ASB) which gives volunteers from high schools and universities across the country the opportunity to visit the city of Boston and perform community service at local non-profits. "The International Youth Hostel Federation is honored to celebrate the opening of the new Boston Hostel, the newest addition into our international network of 4,000 hostels in 80 different countries affiliated with Hostelling International," said IYHF President Edith Arnoult-Brill. "I commend Hostelling International New England for their dedication to sustainability, and their effort to provide safe and affordable travel for youth all over the world." Suffolk Construction oversaw the construction of the project, which involved the renovation of a 55,500 s/f six-story building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The hostel was designed by Boston architectural firms Bergmeyer Associates and Stegman + Associates. Shown (from left) are: Mark Skender, HI-USA board chair; Ayanna Pressley, Boston city councilor-at-large; Bill Moy, co-moderator of the Chinatown Neighborhood Council; Lillie Marshall, Boston Public School teacher and travel blogger; Deborah Ruhe, executive director of Hostelling International New England; Mayor Thomas Menino; Edith Arnoult, International Youth Hostel Federation president