America: choose your “top” toilet. For the 13th consecutive
year, Cintas Corporation is back with its popular America’s Best
Restroom Contest. A team of survey editors once again scanned the
country for the most creative and clean public restrooms and produced a
crop of nominees sure to please.
Will the 2014 winner be a restroom covered in plant life? What about one
housed inside a building that looks like a toilet? Or maybe a
Pennsylvania restroom where the water from the sink begins inside a
waterfall?
We will soon find out as this year’s top ten public potties compete for
the coveted title of Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom. In addition, the
top three vote getters will receive a complimentary Deep Clean of their
restroom (valued up to $500), while the 2014 winner also receives a
$2,500 credit to spend on Cintas services like restroom cleaning and
supplies, wet mops or Deep Clean for their restroom floors.
“We’ve assembled an engaging field of unique public restrooms and expect
a lot of spirited competition,” said John Engel, Cintas’ Senior
Marketing Manager. “The contest promotes the importance of hygiene and
salutes businesses which strive for restroom excellence in both function
and design.”
Voting begins now! The public is invited to cast a ballot for a
favorite restroom online at www.bestrestroom.com
through October 31.
The contest site takes visitors on a photographic tour of each nominee
and encourages them to choose their favorite. Fans can also visit the
contest on Facebook to post comments, receive contest updates, share
photos or upload videos.
Also make sure to take the “Restroom
Personality Quiz.” Are you a Big Talker? Clean Freak?
Supermodel? Answer our fun six-question quiz and then share your
“personality” with friends!
Cintas will reveal the winner of the America’s Best Restroom Contest
during a nationally publicized media event this fall, and both the
winner and runner-up will secure a place in the Cintas’ American’s Best
Restroom Hall
of Fame.
2014 Finalists for Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom Contest
Longwood Gardens
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The public restrooms at Longwood Gardens, the most visited public garden
in America, deserve a double-take as you walk by. That’s because the 17
restrooms themselves are part of the largest indoor “Green Wall” in
North America! The staff at Longwood worked with artist Kim Wilkie on an
unprecedented feat of bathroom architecture. Take a look at the photos,
and you’ll understand. Aside from the restrooms’ lush greenery, they
also feature domed, naturally lit lavatory cabinets hidden within the
“Green Wall.” In addition, each restroom contains etched translucent
glass at the top of the dome to provide natural light, reduce
electricity and minimize the need for light fixtures. Longwood Gardens
traces its roots to the famed du Pont family and has become preeminent
for its grand collection of plant life. Now, its restrooms also share in
the spotlight. “The restrooms at Longwood have become a ‘must-see’ for
our one million annual visitors, and we even have docents nearby to
share the story of their creation,” says Patricia Evans, communications
manager at Longwood Gardens. “To be named America’s Best Restroom would
be a testament to our creativity and environmental stewardship.”
American Girl Place
Chicago, Illinois
Bright, whimsical colors. Mirrors and sinks designed for children’s
height. Even signature doll holders in each bathroom stall. A trip to
the restroom at American Girl Place in Chicago is as memorable as a walk
through the store! Since 1986, American Girl’s mission is to celebrate
girls and provide inspiring products for each stage of their development
– most notably the company’s iconic line of dolls. A leader in
experiential retail, American Girl and its location along Chicago’s
famed Michigan Avenue are all about fun. From shopping, dining, going to
the doll hair salon – and yes, even down to the added touches like
having a holder in the restroom for her special doll – American Girl
wants the overall experience at the store to be a day a girl will
cherish forever. “Moms and girls alike are delighted with our
restrooms,” says Stephanie Spanos, public relations manager for American
Girl. “Girls are thrilled that their special doll companions are safely
secure and off the floor while they use the facilities.” At American
Girl Place, even smallest features make the biggest difference. “We’re
excited to be part of the America’s Best Restroom Contest and make
people aware of the lengths that we go to ensure our customer’s
experience is one they’ll never forget!”
Plums Café
Costa Mesa, California
Modern style and cutting-edge design abound inside the Plums Café
restroom in Costa Mesa. Owner Kim Jorgenson, a native of Oregon, worked
with Steve Brabson of Franklin Studios Architecture to create a space
inspired by life along the Pacific coast. The grey terrazzo floors
represent wet sand and the curved marble mosaic walls are a nod to the
rumbling waves. Many of the cafe's signature dishes also feature
ingredients indigenous to the Pacific Northwest. “All the time people
say ‘Wow! Who did your bathrooms?’ and also ‘Where can we buy the
hooks?’” says Jorgenson. The “hooks” refer to the metal sculptures in
the form of people that double as a place for a coat or purse. “An
enormous amount of time and talent went into creating a unique restroom
experience for our guests,” says Jorgenson. “We integrated risk-taking
ideas, and it would be wonderful to be acknowledged for our hard work
and innovation.”
Mai Kai
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
You might want to wear sunglasses before you step into the Mai Kai
restrooms. That’s because everywhere you look there’s bright, shiny
gold! From the floor to the ceiling, columns to the mirrors, the
restroom has a golden aura that whisks you away with the feel of a royal
washroom. Opened in 1956, the Mai Kai itself is a tiki-themed restaurant
in Fort Lauderdale and one of the few "Grand Polynesian Palaces of Tiki"
still in operation today. Come for dinner, and you’ll see the exciting
Islander Revue performed by native Polynesian dancers in colorful hand
sewn costumes. The Mai Kai is truly a feast for the eyes. “People often
say ‘This is the most beautiful restroom I have ever seen’ and that they
visit Mai Kai because of our memorable washing areas,” says Pia
Dahlquist, Mai Kai’s director of sales and marketing. On top of it all,
attendants work nightly in both the ladies and the men’s rooms. Luxury
at its finest!
Bowl Plaza
Lucas, Kansas
To fully appreciate Bowl Plaza in Lucas, you need to start from about 50
yards away. That’s because the entire structure is shaped like a
toilet! Opened in 2012, the restroom facility – built to provide
handicapped-accessible restrooms – is mosaic art at its best. The folks
in Lucas take their mosaic art seriously; it’s a tradition that dates
back to the 1940s. Outside and inside Bowl Plaza, you’ll see colored
bottles, broken pottery, dishes, tiles, toys and mirrors on the walls.
Plus, you won’t want to miss a spectacular 14-foot mosaic oval lid and a
toilet bowl “drain” depicting swirling water with items people have
accidentally dropped into the toilet bowl. So far, over 10,000 people
have visited Bowl Plaza from all 50 states and 50 countries. “Winning
the title of America’s Best Restroom would mean so much for the people
of Lucas,” says Wendell Cowan, who helped construct Bowl Plaza. “This
project was truly a community effort, conceived, built and completed by
everyone in Lucas in some way. We are incredibly proud of our creation.”
Trail Restroom
Austin, Texas
In the heart of Austin, Texas sits a restroom in perfect harmony with
nature. The Trail Restroom is one part bathroom and one part functional
outdoor art. Designed by local firm Miró Rivera Architects, the Trail
Restroom is a popular stop for outdoor enthusiasts who frequent the Ann
and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake. More than 1.5
million people visit the 10-mile Butler Trail every year, which was
envisioned by notable names like Lady Bird Johnson, wife of President
Lyndon B. Johnson. The public Trail Restroom uses sustainable materials
and is low maintenance, maximizing airflow and blending with the
surrounding natural areas. It also allows the sun to peek through via
open spaces in the ceiling. The restroom was designed as part of a
public-private partnership with the City of Austin and The Trail
Foundation, which works to protect and enhance the popular hike-and-bike
trail. “As part of America’s Best Restroom Contest, we would love to
inspire others to create artfully designed public restrooms in
well-loved outdoor spaces in their cities,” says Beth Carroll, project
and creative director at The Trail Foundation. “We hope to showcase that
an outdoor, public restroom can complement the surrounding environment
and blend with nature.”
The Fabulous Fox Theater
St. Louis, Missouri
Stately and elegant define the restrooms inside The Fabulous Fox Theater
in St. Louis. Not only are the restrooms ornate but the lounges outside
of them dazzle patrons too. The lounges feature decorative carpets and
pastel pink walls while the restrooms have black-and-white checkered
floors and sleek black countertops. The Fabulous Fox Theatre is the work
of renowned architect C. Howard Crane and first opened in 1929 as a
movie palace. Today, it’s one of the most exquisite venues in the
country to enjoy live touring Broadway shows, concerts and comedians.
“Guests love the beauty and elegance of our restrooms. Not many people
expect a restroom to be so fabulous!” says Megan Ketcherside, publicity
coordinator at The Fabulous Fox. “We are excited to share the elaborate
design of our restrooms with people who may never have the opportunity
to visit our theatre.”
Tiki Lounge
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Scott Kramer is especially proud of the ladies room at Tiki Lounge in
Pittsburgh. That’s because he and a team of local artists spent over 200
hours designing and constructing it! Kramer, who co-owns the restaurant
with Steve Zumoff, traveled to Bali (Indonesia) to hand-pick the
supplies. Today, visitors can see the proof of his hard work: myriad
stones and shells glued all over the walls and countertops. Plus, you
won’t want to miss the waterfall. That’s right, Kramer constructed an
actual waterfall that feeds the shell basins down below when activated
by sensors. In the waterfall, all the florals are silk, and the water
flows from the top left all the way into the basin. What a way to wash
your hands! “Our ladies room absolutely generates buzz,” says Kramer.
“People do come in just to see the restrooms. Sometimes they actually
buy a drink too.” Kramer is excited to be part of Cintas’ America’s Best
Restroom Contest and let the nation see his handiwork up close. “All
publicity is good publicity,” he says. And with a sink that begins in a
waterfall, publicity isn’t far behind!
The Grove
Los Angeles, California
For years, people have considered The Grove one of the nation’s top
retail, dining and entertainment destinations. Now, add “best restroom”
to the list as well! The Grove is a Southern California landmark. Vanity
Fair named The Grove the “Main Street of Dreams” and Trip Advisor called
it the “#1 Shopping Destination in Los Angeles.” In 2012, The Grove
tapped world-renowned architect David Rockwell of The Rockwell Group to
design and remodel the shopping center’s restrooms. The men and women’s
restrooms and family room now provide guests with first-class amenities
like child-friendly toilets and washbasin, microwave, bottle warmers,
baby changing station, two nursing rooms with rocking chair, children’s
playroom with a chalkboard and a plasma screen TV. Additionally, The
Grove restrooms house six original drawings by famous artists Picasso
and Miro. “The Grove's restroom is a work of art. With floor to ceiling
marble, we’re excited that this often overlooked everyday amenity is
receiving such honorable recognition,” says Liz Jaeger, vice president
of public relations for Caruso Affiliated, which manages The Grove. “It
would excite our staff and guests to receive the coveted America’s Best
Restroom award!”
El Centro
Washington, DC
When customers enter the restrooms at El Centro, they’re greeted by two
surprises. One, the sinks are metal basins and look like a throwback to
the Prohibition Era. And when people approach the sinks to wash their
hands, they may very well see the opposite sex right across the way! The
unisex washing station, created by Brie Husted Architecture, turns the
sink area into a social hub. “Most people are surprised when they spot
the other sex washing their hands where a mirror should be!” says Leo
Schmid, marketing and PR manager for Richard Sandoval Restaurants, which
owns El Centro. The restroom only adds to the flair of El Centro, a
popular Mexican restaurant in Washington DC’s trendy Georgetown area.
The eatery is home to over 200 tequilas and mezcals alongside craft
Mexican-inspired drinks. One time through the El Centro restroom, and
you’ll never forget about those classic metal tubs.
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Cintas Corporation (CTAS) accepted nominations for any non-residential
restroom accessible to the general public online through the summer.
Qualifying facilities were then judged and finalists were selected based
on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique
design elements.
Cintas Canada also announced its top finalists in the annual Canada’s
Best Restroom Contest in September. Visit www.bestrestroom.com/canada
for more information.
About Cintas Corporation
Headquartered
in Cincinnati, Ohio, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized
services to businesses of all types. Cintas designs, manufactures and
implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides entrance
mats, restroom
supplies, promotional products, first aid and safety products, fire
protection services and document management services to approximately
one million businesses. Cintas is a publicly held company traded over
the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol CTAS, and is a component of
the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
Copyright Business Wire 2014