W Atlanta - Downtown Cultivates Rooftop Garden
December 6,2012
W Atlanta – Downtown is excited to reveal its new Rooftop Garden. This addition continues to add to the extensive list of features and amenities that make the hotel stand out as an innovative and community-oriented partner in the Downtown landscape. Beginning this winter, fresh herbs, select fruits, and vegetables will be home-grown in the Rooftop Garden and used in seasonal craft cocktails served at the property’s two bars: Drinkshop and the Living Room Lounge. The Rooftop Garden aims to incorporate a regional and southern harvest that will introduce guests to native plants and nurture a sustainable environment.
The hotel’s confirmed partners in the Rooftop Garden’s development and execution include the Department of Agriculture at the University of Georgia, nationally acclaimed and locally-based Farmer D Organics, Atlanta-based organizations Concrete Jungle, Central Atlanta Progress, Southern Patio (for planters) and community herbalist(a) Lorna Mauney-Brodek.
“Our mixologists are committed to using the freshest ingredients possible in the craft cocktails we serve at W Atlanta – Downtown, so a Rooftop Garden seemed like a natural step to ensure that they have the supplies they need to make the best drinks in Atlanta. We are excited to partner with gardening expert Farmer D to ensure the success of this project, and we are eager to support the farm to table movement,” said Tim Dahlen, W Atlanta-Downtown’s General Manager.
Chamomile, spearmint, peppermint, sage, garlic, winter peas, vetch, turnips and edible pansies for the winter were all recently planted in the garden. Herbalist Lorna will be consulting with the hotel’s beverage, spa, and catering programs to provide recipes that have complementary ingredients. For the winter Mauney-Brodek is recommending herbs that assist with the lungs and stimulate the immune system. These are often aromatic plants: rosemary, sage, eucalyptus, oregano, lavender, and mints.
Additionally, W Atlanta – Downtown will partner with American Harvest Organic Spirit, a USDA certified organic vodka from the creators of Grey Goose which boasts a “bottle to table” back story and distinctive, crisp flavor that will complement the sustainable garden program’s fresh offerings in seasonal craft cocktails at Drinkshop and the Living Room.
“I am excited about this partnership with W Atlanta- Downtown,” adds Farmer D. “This is a lifestyle that can start while they stay and end up at home should a guest want to order their own home garden at the hotel and have it shipped. W’s commitment to health, wellness and environmental responsibility really make this project a no brainer.”
Any unused produce will be collected by Concrete Jungle and distributed to needy and hungry individuals in Atlanta in keeping with the organization’s grassroots initiatives.