Hostelling International's Eastern New England Council (HI-New England) held a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of construction on its new Boston hostel. The new hostel - the Hub of Boston is located at 25 Stuart St. and is expected to be open in the spring of 2012. When the new hostel opens, it will be the second largest in North America and will replace the current Boston hostel located at 12 Hemenway St.
Suffolk Construction is the construction management firm that is overseeing the renovation and construction of the New Boston Hostel. The project involves the renovation of 55,500 s/f, in the six-story Dill Building, which is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The new hostel is being designed by Boston architectural firms Bergmeyer Associates and Stegman + Associates.
In addition, the new facility coincides with mayor Thomas Menino's revitalization plans for a more sustainable city. The adaptive re-use of the building will help to integrate new and efficient green technologies and will promote the growing trend of sustainable travel Components of the new hostel, including a green roof, green elevators, and solar hot water heating, will make the new Boston hostel the nation's first LEED certified hostel.
The groundbreaking event was sponsored by local restaurants Vapiano Boston and Jacob Wirth.
"Suffolk is honored to be part of the team that will restore this building and create a beautiful new landmark for travelers visiting Boston," said John Fish, chairman and CEO, Suffolk Construction.
During the speaking program, Deborah Ruhe presented mayor Menino's representative Ramon Soto with a personalized LL Bean backpack filled with items that hostellers use in their travels. The celebration ended with Hostelling representatives and others "breaking down" a faux brick wall to reveal a rendering of the new hostel's lobby.
"Our new hostel will soon host thousands of visitors and among them may be the future leaders of our world. During their stay with us they will explore Boston and experience the city's rich history, eat in great restaurants and partake in the many cultural attractions. And, they will spend lots of money to help stimulate our economy," said Deborah Ruhe, executive director of Hostelling New England.
Joining the celebration was Greg Bialecki, secretary of Housing and Economic Development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. "The new hostel and its mission relates to the city and state's work in building an innovation economy and it is very important that we are deeply connected to the world," said Bialecki. "Boston has a history of welcoming others from around the globe and the new hostel will bring a new generation to our great city."
"Boston is a gateway to our country for many travelers and it offers so much: history, culture, education and recreation," said Mark Skender, board chair, Hostelling International USA. "Our national organization has supported this project because we recognize this importance and because we value the community support and leadership that it required for an undertaking such as this.
The new Boston hostel will welcome more than 46,000 annual visitors, 60% of which will visit from outside the United States. The influx of hostellers is expected to generate more than $16 million, greatly enhancing the local economy.

Shown (from left) are: Mark DiNapoli, project manager at Suffolk Construction; Greg Bialeck, secretary of MA Office of Housing and Economic Development; Mark Skender, president of Hostelling International USA board of directors; Rosemarie Sansone, president of Downtown Crossing Partnership; Deborah Ruhe, executive director of Hostelling International New England; Joseph Flatley, president of MA Housing Investment Corp.; Pat Moscaritolo, president and CEO of Greater Boston Convention and Visitor's Bureau; and Bill Moy, Chinatown Neighborhood Council.