Hilton plans headquarters in Agoura

Charity foundation picks location near Kanan Road



Recession? Really?

Slow economy notwithstanding, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the charitable arm of Hilton Hotels Corp., announced it will build its new headquarters in Agoura Hills.

The new officies will be built on 64 acres south of the 101 Freeway near Kanan Road, said project manager Frans Bigelow of Bigelow Development Associates in Malibu.

The Santa Monica Mountains were said to be an ideal location for the Foundation.

“It’s a perfect fit for this kind of company,” Bigelow said. “The natural beauty and views are phenomenal.”

The Hilton Foundation had considered moving its Century City headquarters to Santa Monica, but the Agoura Hills location proved more enticing. The foundation purchased two land parcels near Ladyface Mountain in 2007.

When completed, the new building will conform to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, a certification which is considered the industry standard for green building construction. Bigelow said the company wants to build to “platinum” standards, the highest environmental certification in the industry.

“I’m very proud and happy that they chose Agoura Hills,” said Denis Weber, Agoura Hills mayor. Weber was also pleased that the organization plans to build such an environmentally sound project.

“The fact that they are so intent on building something that takes into account the aspects of creating something that will be sensitive to the environment, yet work for their needs is very special,” Weber said.

The building design, which is still in the planning stages, might call for a “green roof” that is partially made from plant material, Bigelow said.

The building hopes to maximize use of daylight instead of artificial light, and will rely upon solar heating.

Other environmentally conscious elements might include the use of renewable materials including cork, sunflower husks and shells. Landscaping with native plants will be installed.

“It will be very aesthetically pleasing,” Bigelow said.

The Hilton Foundation was established by hotel magnate, Conrad Hilton in 1944. The foundation’s assets reportedly total $4.3 billion and the organization has awarded nearly $800 million for worldwide charitable projects.

The foundation provides grants for children with many disabilities, including blindness. The organization also develops educational programs to prevent drug abuse.

Two years ago the foundation launched a program to help homeless mothers and their children.

The foundation gave a $7.5 million grant to The National Center on Family Homelessness, which will be implemented in collaboration with the Child Welfare League of America and the National Alliance to End Homelessness.


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