Alveole

“We chose Alvéole based on three key factors: their proven track record across our existing Rockhill portfolio and others, their responsiveness to our specific needs, and their collaborative approach. They took the time to understand our building's unique location and neighborhood context, then worked with us to create a customized program that would resonate with our tenant base.”

“The more tenants we're able to reach and educate I think the more open to it they are.”

“The people that do like it really like it,”

“It offers the tenants a new and interesting way to access the roof deck where the bees are installed or to follow the Alvéole technician when they're servicing the hive and feel involved in the building in a new way,”

“We had two primary objectives," explains Kenneth Vennard, Property Manager at Rockhill's 100 High Street in Boston. "First, advancing our sustainability goals to earn points for green building certifications like LEED Gold, Energy Star, BOMA Best, and BOMA 360. Second, from a tenant experience perspective, we wanted to create something memorable and distinctive that would impress our tenant groups. Alvéole's urban beekeeping program was the perfect solution that addressed both objectives simultaneously.”

““We can host up to 800 guests daily and they all get a complimentary breakfast. The windows in the breakfast buffet room overlook the hives, and there’s a little patio folks can step onto as well. When our beekeeper is on site, our young diners (and their parents) love to press their noses against the glass. Sometimes our beekeeper will even bring over fresh honeycomb from the hives for the kids to taste.””

“"It’s an important initiative. Ultimately, we measure its success by the reaction we get from our guests. We are in the business of hospitality and we know it works because we experience firsthand the impact it has on everyone involved."”

““During beekeeper visits, there’s always a handful of guests with their phones out to capture and share that experience. It helps us differentiate ourselves.””

““We always reserve a bee-related event for employees to show our appreciation and to increase loyalty and satisfaction.””

““Clients want to work with a facility that has shared values.””

““Most groups that are coming to the city will tour many potential hotels to host their event. When that tour ends with an introduction to our beehives, it helps us stand out in the hearts and minds of our potential customers. It’s different from what our competitors do. It contributes to both community and sustainability which resonates very well with our guests.””

““We wanted to exceed the prescribed hotel standards around environment and sustainability.””

“We are half-joking about being 'pet parents'... but the truth is that ownership is real, and tenants feel it. We all feel like we are part of something bigger. And this aspect was key in deepening our relationship with tenants.”

“The bees are a conversation starter, but the program is much more than that. It's workshops, it's honey and bee products in the hands of community partners, colleagues and clients, it's our employees actually doing something together that matters. That's what we were after.”

“We were looking for something that could genuinely connect our people to the communities around us. The bees gave us that. Every workshop, every jar of honey, every conversation it starts — it all ties back to why we show up in London and what kind of company we want to be here.”

“Initially, the tenants were skeptical and rather dismissive. Alvéole helped to overcome this skepticism by involving the tenants in the honey production process. Now all tenants are actively involved in the workshops, and the honey is even harvested together. Our discussions have shown that many tenants are now much more empathetic towards bees.”

““Maybe I’m a little biased, but I think every building needs to have a beehive. Maybe we just take over the world, one building at a time, one beehive at a time, one garden at a time.””

““The fact that we get jars of honey with our label is great. People love it. It’s a great leasing initiative . It’s a surprise and delight to give. It’s something that many buildings don’t offer, and that really stands out as an identifier for the portfolio and for the company .””

““Tenant experience has skyrocketed due to the partnership with Green City Growers and Alvéole”.”

““The partnership between both Alvéole and Green City Growers has been great because our hospitality team gets to utilize both parties and see the cycle of how to make our bees happy, which makes our tenants happy, which makes my life easier, which makes me happy, and it’s been really fun.””

““The look before and after is staggeringly different. The fact that we now have a beautiful 22nd floor terrace and all of these pollinator-friendly plants for our bees featured through Green City Growers has been great. The partnership with Alvéole makes it even better – who knew our tenants loved learning so much about our bees!””

““Once you take part in such an initiative, you have to genuinely get involved. There’s a bigger picture.””

““We can proudly say this is home-produced, organically harvested, and part of how we want this hotel remembered,” he adds.”

““Not everyone follows us on social media,” Nick says, “but when guests check in and see the jars, it sparks conversations.””

““We wanted to make this an interactive process,” Nick says. “Most guests have never seen how honey is harvested, and that’s an unforgettable story to bring home.””