Architecture and design news
Waldorf Astoria Arizona Biltmore opens revamped 22,000sq ft spa
by Helen Andrews | 09 Jan 2015
The Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, has completed the remodeling and renovation of its 22,000sq ft (2,044sq m) spa facility – part of the multi-million dollar revamp of the property previously known as the Grand Dame of Phoenix. Originally built in 1929, Waldorf Astoria has kept the architectural features designed by Frank Lloyd Wright intact. The 740-bedroom resort’s spa has undergone floor-to-ceiling interior remodeling and is now home to
Four Seasons MENA spa director reveals details for newly renovated Saudi Arabia spa
by Helen Andrews | 08 Jan 2015
The Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre has opened its newly renovated men’s spa, designed by GA Design International. Akram Kawasmeh, senior director of spa for Four Seasons in the Middle East and Africa, spoke exclusively to Spa Opportunities – detailing the SAR10m (US$2.7m, €2.3m, £1.8m) refurbishment that started at the end of May 2014 and ended in December 2014. The 274-bedroom hotel occupies 11 floors of the tallest
SMG and Live Nation to manage Bristol Arena
by Tom Walker | 08 Jan 2015
Global facility management giant SMG, in partnership with Live Nation, has been named as the preferred bidder to operate the 12,000-seat Bristol Arena when it opens in 2017. The Bristol Arena, set become the UK’s largest indoor arena, will be located at an old oil depot site near the city’s Temple Meads Station and is expected to cost around £95m to build. A multi-use venue, the arena will be capable
London's Walkie Talkie tower opens Sky Garden to the public
by Tom Anstey | 08 Jan 2015
The greenhouse at the top of the controversial Rafael Viñoly-designed Walkie Talkie skyscraper, has opened to the public for the first time Officially known as 20 Fenchurch Street, the tower, which made headlines last year after solar glare coming off the tower melted parts of parked cars, has a public space in the shape of the Sky Garden on the 35th, 36th and 37th floors, which is open to everyone
Studio Libeskind reveals Vilnius’ wintersports ambition
by Katie Buckley | 08 Jan 2015
The city of Vilnius in Lithuania is stepping up its push into the European ski market with the announcement it will build a new cultural/sports venue – the Vilnius Beacon – with design by Studio Libeskind. This is the first ski resort by the practice. The development is backed by the City of Vilnius, the State Trade Co and Start Vilnius Co, which took over responsibility for the location –
3XN reveals designs for new Olympic headquarters
by Katie Buckley | 07 Jan 2015
Danish architecture firm 3XN has revealed renderings of its designs for the new Olympic Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. 3XN was chosen to design the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC’s) new base in April 2014 following an international competition. The practice fought off eleven other high-profile outfits to win the competition. These included London-based Amanda Levete Architects, New Yorkers OMA, Diller Scofidio and Renfro, to name a few. Called ‘Olympic Unity House’,
World's largest eco-theme park coming to Indonesia in 2015
by Tom Anstey | 07 Jan 2015
Work is underway on what is being billed as “the world’s largest eco-theme park” – a US$240m (E202.2m, £158.5m) development – called Funtasy Island – which will be located on Indonesia’s Riau Islands, near Singapore. Set to open in late 2015, eight key “eco-zones” are currently under construction in the 3sq km (1.2sq m) development, including a multi-sensory rainforest. There will also be land- and river-based safaris, snorkel and scuba
Four compete for Barack Obama's presidential library
by Tom Anstey | 07 Jan 2015
Four US universities are currently battling it out to host Barack Obama’s US$500m (€419.5m, £329m) presidential library – a repository for preserving and making available the papers, records, collections and other historical materials of every President of the United States since Herbert Hoover in 1929. The President and first lady will choose one location from either the University of Chicago, Columbia University in New York, the University of Illinois in
Carlson Rezidor plans balneotherapy spa hotel in Bordeaux
by Helen Andrews | 07 Jan 2015
Carlson Rezidor plans to open a new Radisson Blu branded hotel, complete with a balneotherapy-centric spa, in the French city of Bordeaux – the wine capital city of the world. The 125-bedroom Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Bordeaux will be built north of the city’s UNESCO-protected centre as part of ‘Les Bassins à Flots’ – a mixed-use complex that is currently the largest real estate development in France: facilitated by
Lakefront architecture competition announced for the shores of Lake Michigan
by Katie Buckley | 07 Jan 2015
As part of the first ever Chicago Architecture Biennial, starting in October 2015, a lakefront architecture competition has been announced. This competition aims to bring attention to Lake Michigan’s bustling shoreline and offers participants a chance to create “an iconic work of architecture that will attract visitors and enliven the lakefront all year round.” As a celebrated public space in Chicago, the lakefront is currently features over twenty miles of
Dalian Wanda unveils US$1bn theme park project in China
by Tom Anstey | 06 Jan 2015
The Dalian Wanda group has launched its latest theme park project – a US$1bn (€839m, £659m) movie park in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Designed by Stufish Entertainment Architects and located at either end of Wuhan’s cultural district – an US$8bn (€6.7bn, £5.3bn) development project in the city – the indoor movie theme park comprises six attractions which combine 3D effects, live actors, props, stunts and special effects. The park
Oldham Coliseum revamp plans submitted by Mecanoo
by Katie Buckley | 06 Jan 2015
Subsequent to winning a competition to revamp Oldham Coliseum in 2013, Dutch practice Mecanoo has submitted plans to transform the building into a new heritage centre and theatre. Mecanoo, which has offices in nearby Manchester as well as overseas, had a busy year in 2014. Back in February, Francine Houben, Mecanoo’s creative director and founding partner was awarded Woman Architect of the Year 2014. Following this, one of the practices’
San Francisco MOMA nears US$610m funding target
by Tom Anstey | 06 Jan 2015
Following a two-year fundraising campaign, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) is closing in on its financial target to build a 235,000sq ft (21,800sq m) new wing. The US$610m (€513m, £401m) figure would fund the new wing – which would house works by the likes of Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko and David Hockney – and secure the future of the museum for many years to come. The expanded
Spa plans revealed for Six Senses Zil Pasyon resort in the Seychelles
by Helen Andrews | 06 Jan 2015
The Six Senses Zil Pasyon resort, located on the private island of Félicité in the Seychelles, is scheduled to open in July 2015 with a Six Senses Spa and a yoga pavilion on the granite boulders that punctuate the shoreline. Designed by Richard Hywel Evans of Studio RHE, the resort will comprise 28 one-bedroom villas, two two-bedroom villas and 17 private residences – all with private pools. Six Senses will
UK's MOBO wins contest to develop Colombian UNESCO fortress
by Tom Anstey | 06 Jan 2015
MOBO Architects has won a design competition to refurbish vertical and horizontal access structures of a UNESCO-protected fortress in Cartagena, Colombia. The London-based practice will revamp the 20,000sq m (215,000sq ft) area that surrounds the walled, colonial city with the aim of creating a pleasant walking tour through the city’s bastions and walls. The winning proposal offers a series of urban interventions that will unify the existing disparate structures and
Herzog & de Meuron 'working on expansion' for Chelsea FC stadium
by Katie Buckley | 05 Jan 2015
Swiss-based architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron is working on plans to increase the capacity of Chelsea Football Club’s Stamford Bridge ground in west London in partnership with London-based practice Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands. The club wants to expand from the current 41,837 seats, to a 60,000 seat capacity, following the recommendations of a feasibility study undertaken in June 2014. At the time, the club said: “The study will assess the
Surf park for Melbourne from Damian Rogers and Arup
by Katie Buckley | 05 Jan 2015
Damian Rogers Architecture, in partnership with Arup, has unveiled a concept for a beach and surf park for Melbourne’s Central Pier, Australia. The development would be based on a floating wave pool, with filtered water from Victoria Harbour, and a sandy beachfront. Offering surfers a chance to catch waves between 1-1.8m (3-6ft) high, the heated wave pool would be one of several attractions in the 16,000sq m (172,222sq ft) development.
Leela plans hotels in Nepal as part of Buddhist Trail
by Helen Andrews | 05 Jan 2015
Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has signed a memorandum of understanding with developers Summit Group of Nepal to collaborate on the first of four hotels to be built across the country as part of a development rollout. The five-star Leela Kathmandu – designed by John Gerondolis of Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates of Atlanta, US – will be the first hotel created by the partners, to capitalise on tourism
Africa's tallest skyscraper planned for 2015
by Katie Buckley | 24 Dec 2014
French architecture firm Valode & Pistre is set to break ground on what would become Africa’s tallest skyscraper in June 2015. Planned for a yet to be confirmed site in Morocco, the building will be more than 500m (1,640ft) tall and have 114 floors representative of the number of chapters found in the Quran. More than just an incredibly tall tower, the building will also have a luxury shopping area,
Designers reveal ‘second gate’ for Amsterdam
by Alice Davis | 24 Dec 2014
Plans to create a €400 million (£314m, $489m) metropolitan theme park on the outskirts of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, are being developed by a caucus of leading design firms. The project – Park 21 – would be a 1,000-hectare (3,000 acre) cultural, recreational urban parkland, with landscaped and leisure elements. Facilities such as shops, restaurants, hotels and attractions are central to the proposal, which would offer a ‘cluster concept’ where visitors
Virgin Hotels reveals New York City hotel designs
by Helen Andrews | 24 Dec 2014
Virgin Hotels and owner/developer Lam Group have revealed building designs for their first project together in New York City, expected to open in 2017. VOA Architecture has been appointed as architect and interior designer for the new structure, which includes a street-long high-end retail space, 457 guest rooms, multiple food and beverage outlets – including a rooftop bar – plus an outdoor pool and spa. The spa’s details have not
Baltimore Museum of Art opens redeveloped wing as part of ongoing works
by Tom Anstey | 24 Dec 2014
The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) has reopened its American art wing following a US$7.9m (€6.4m, £5m) two-year redevelopment. The 15,000sq ft (1,400sq m) area has undergone a full renovation, which now sees artworks arranged chronologically with the aim of demonstrating how American artists were involved with art coming from overseas. The wing’s unveiling also coincides with the reopening of the building’s main entrance, the neoclassically-designed John Russell Pope entrance,
New 'super museum' to be built in Copenhagen, Denmark
by Katie Buckley | 23 Dec 2014
By 2020, a new super museum will be constructed in central Copenhagen, dubbed the Natural History Museum of Denmark. Blending together three of the city's existing institutions, the Natural History Museum, the Geological Museum and the Botanical Museum, the new facility is expected to be one of the largest of its kind in the world. Following a recent DKR550m (€73.933m, US$91m, £58.1m) grant from several private foundations, the University of
Luxury art hotel could regenerate Edinburgh’s Royal High School
by Ashley Harrison | 23 Dec 2014
Edinburgh’s imposing Royal High School could be transformed into a multi-million pound arts hotel under new plans outlined by developers. Proposals from Duddingston House Properties (DHP) detail a development plan – designed by architect Gareth Hoskins – backed by £55m ($86m, €70m) from a consortium of institutional investors led by DHP’s Bruce Hare and David Orr of the Urbanist Group. Hoskins was appointed to oversee a major four-year refurbishment of
Brazil’s Allianz Parque stadium opens to the public
by Tom Walker | 23 Dec 2014
Brazilian football club SE Palmeiras has taken delivery of its new 43,600-capacity Allianz Parque stadium in Sao Paolo. Designed by Brazilian architects Edo Rocha Arquiteturas, the venue has been described as “Latin America’s most modern multi-purpose event complex”. With 43,600 covered seats – in addition to the 178 corporate boxes with seating for more than 3,000 people during football games – the venue is also equipped to host concerts, mega
Boris Johnson approves Heatherwick’s London Garden Bridge
by Katie Buckley | 19 Dec 2014
London mayor Boris Johnson has finally approved planning permission for Thomas Heatherwick’s controversial Garden Bridge. After planning was approved by both Lambeth Council and Westminster Council earlier this year, Johnson’s official approval of the project means that the construction of the £175m (US$294m, €216m) bridge can begin next year. In a statement, Johnson said: “The Garden Bridge will provide a fantastic new landmark for London whilst supporting regeneration and economic
MLS club D.C. United gets green light for new stadium
by Tom Walker | 19 Dec 2014
The District of Columbia Council has approved plans to build a new home for US-based Major League Soccer (MLS) club D.C. United. To be located in Buzzard Point, Washington D.C., the stadium will have a capacity between 20,000 and 25,000 and will become the 17th “soccer-specific stadium” in MLS. Designed by sports architects Populous, the District of Columbia Soccer Stadium is expected to open in 2017 and provide a major
Emaar unveils wellness retreat The Burj Club in Downtown Dubai
by Helen Andrews | 19 Dec 2014
Dubai developer of integrated communities, Emaar Properties, has opened The Burj Club – an exclusive fitness and wellness retreat in Downtown Dubai, adjacent to the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa. The 6,320sq m (62, 028sq ft) five-storey health club comprises a fitness centre, spa, juice bar and rooftop pool. Male and female sectioned gym facilities spread across 590sq m (5,597sq ft). The equipment is all connected to the centre’s ‘mywellness’
Norwegian Cruise Line plans largest waterpark at sea
by Tom Anstey | 19 Dec 2014
A ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet will boast the largest waterpark at sea when it launches later this year, with the company unveiling a raft of leisure facilities on board. The investment comes as the cruise market continues to experience rapid growth and the broadening of its customer profile. The 4,200-passenger ship – Norwegian Escape – with interior design by SMC Design and Tillberg Design, will feature an Aqua
Hourglass installed as Egyptian Museum of Turin nears completion of €50m redevelopment
by Tom Anstey | 18 Dec 2014
A large hourglass has been installed in Turin, Italy’s, Piazza San Carlo, counting down progress as the €50m (US$62.3m, £39.7m) redevelopment of the city’s Egyptian Museum reaches its final stages. Scheduled to fully reopen on 1 April 2015, Museo Egizio or the Egyptian Museum of Turin is one of the world’s oldest Egyptian museums. Founded in 1824, it ranks second only to its counterpart in Cairo. The museum is at
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