�We are really excited about the plans for this property� said John Heim, President of Tricore Group, LLC. �It will be like nothing this area has seen and few have seen across the country.  We think it will be a great addition to State College and to Pennsylvania.�

Tricore will present their plans to redevelop vacated warehouse/ retail building at the former Lowe�s on Waddle Road into a mixed-use site plan with hotel, restaurant and retail opportunities to the Patton Township Planning Commission meeting later this month.  It will be the first lifestyle center in the Centre Region.  Featured prominently will be the �P� Hotel & Spa, the first luxury condominium hotel in Pennsylvania.  

Some of the �green� highlights include geothermal heating, solar panels, rain-water re-use, and a smoke free environment.  Construction waste recycling and recycling of the existing building masonry, concrete, steel and glass will also be a key focus on this project.

�Only one other hotel in the nation is currently certified at the GOLD level and no other condominium hotel has this certification� said Ben Heim, CEO.  �We are proud to bring the first LEED Gold certified condominium hotel in the nation to Pennsylvania and to Centre County.  By making use of pre-developed property, recycling the vacated warehouse and creating the highest quality indoor environment, we are minimizing the environmental impact while ensuring healthy and luxurious accommodations.  This facility will be a destination in and of itself.�

Developed by the US Green Building Council, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, provides standards for environmentally sustainable construction.  The rating system addresses six major areas: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design process.  Rating systems for different projects (i.e. renovation versus new construction, retail versus residential) evaluate pre-requisites and credits on a point rating system.  The Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and Spa, American Canyon, CA is the only hotel in the country thus far to have earned the GOLD rating. 

Located on 16 acres, just two miles from Penn State University�s Beaver Stadium, the �P� Hotel & Spa will include roof top gardens and plaza, a Tapas restaurant and bar, wine cellar and a 9000 square foot spa.   The facility will include 100 luxury hotel suites with spectacular décor, innovative design and cutting edge technology.   Large guest suites, including one, two and three bedroom, will be for sale to private owners who can ensure they have a place to stay on those elusive game-day weekends. 

�One of the nice features of our concept, compared to buying a traditional condominium or other game-day accommodation, is that the suite owners will enjoy the benefits of ownership without the hassles when they aren�t staying at their suite.  They will also have the benefit of a full service luxury hotel and spa right at their front door.  The suites will be exquisitely decorated by our design team and will be maintained and cared for in the owner�s absence� says Ben Heim. �Our priority, and we believe the priority of our owners, will be our focus on the most environmentally conscious and luxurious travel experience in our region.�

�Our philosophy has always been to support our community and the environment.  This property will do that and more� continued John Heim.  �We are looking to focus on environmental concerns with an eye to luxury customer service that this area has not seen - until now.�   

Tricore Group, LLC is proud to partner with John and Doug Wolf of Wolf Furniture Enterprises, Michael, Richard and Leonard Fiore of Leonard S. Fiore, Inc., and John and Mark DiSanto of Triple Crown Corporation, on this exciting new tourist destination.   

Additional information about the �P� Hotel & Spa can be found at www.thephotel.com. 

About Tricore Group, LLC:  With over 70 years of real estate management and development experience, members of Tricore Group provide land development and construction management services in the Centre Region of Pennsylvania, including residential and commercial projects.  http://www.tricoregroup.com. 

 Patty Kleban
[email protected]
814-571-4468