Cirque du Soleil, the world renowned acrobatic circus, is increasing its presence in the attractions industry by launching its own brand of family entertainment centre (FEC). Parent company Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group revealed that the iconic performance troupe inspired the design and concept of the FEC, which will offer immersive, creative and active experiences for young children and their families. Called Creactive, it will now be rolled out to

Rosewood Hotel Group has launched a new hotel brand, Khos, with a focus on the modern business traveller and inspired by “the energy, art, innovation, creativity, style and dynamism of modern-day Asia”. Derived from the Mongolian word meaning 'pair', Khos will be a global brand, with locations in capital cities, urban portals, business centres and resort destinations. The first Khos hotels will be announced in 2018 and opened later in

A new museum celebrating French art, aesthetics and urbanity is set to be built in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, with a design by Pritzker-winning architect Frank Gehry. The building, described as “a major new cultural institution with international influence”, will be part-funded by the luxury goods billionaire Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, who launched the project at a press conference on Wednesday (8 March) alongside Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo

The architecture of the ancient Greeks has inspired the reinvention of Canada’s largest public square, the project’s design director has told CLAD. Andrew Frontini, a design director at global architecture studio Perkins and Will, was speaking after the practice won Canada’s top architecture accolade, the Governor General Award, for their renovation of Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto. Frontini said the concept of the project was inspired by the traditional Greek

Japanese architectural and urban design firm Nikken Sekkei have formed a business alliance with one of Australia's largest architectural practices, The Buchan Group. The partnership will allow the two firms to share knowledge, experience and networks as they seek joint commissions on a growing number of mixed-use leisure and hospitality projects around the world. "The alliance brings together specialist skills, values and culture from both companies to provide a homogenous

Architecture studio OMA are shifting their business model to place more emphasis on developing their own projects rather than competing for work. In an exclusive interview with CLAD, studio partner David Gianotten said the new approach “will go beyond just architecture” as OMA attempt to take the initiative in finding worthwhile projects. “Our profession is in transition,” he said. “For a long time, architecture has been very opportunistic, but I

Investor and philanthropist Ronald Perelman has donated US$75m (€67m, £56m) towards the construction and operation of the planned Performing Arts Center (PAC) at the World Trade Center in New York. The 80,000sq ft (7,400sq m) mixed-use cultural venue – which will produce works of theatre, dance, music, opera and film – is currently being designed by New York studio REX Architecture, but questions had surrounded how the project would be

French studio Stephane Malka Architecture will introduce a flower-filled green space to one of Paris’ most urbanised districts after winning a competition to masterplan a €5m (US$5.4m, £3.8m) landscaped garden. The 1,500sq m (16,100sq ft) project, called OXyGen, will bring a colourful flower garden, open terraces and a number of new restaurants to Vignes in La Défense; the French capital’s business hub. “Inspired by the tradition of the romantic gardens

International studio Architects of Invention have designed the interiors for an exclusive new club in the heart of London’s illustrious Mayfair district, which will feature a restaurant run by Michelin-starred chef Shaun Rankin. The interiors of 12 Hay Hill, which opened in late September, have been refitted at a cost of £3m (US$4.5m, €4.2m) to create a sophisticated space for entrepreneurs seeking a private social and business environment. The 1,800sq

Equinox Holdings, parent company of high end US health club chain Equinox Fitness, is preparing to launch an upscale hospitality brand. Plans are afoot for 75 hotels worldwide, each with a fitness facility within the hotel, or very close, which would be open to hotel guests as well as members. The first site is slated for Manhattan in 2018, as part of the massive Hudson Yards scheme. It is a

The Grand Ho Tram Strip Hotel in southern Vietnam is up and running after the first phase of the resort development – including a 1,650sq m (17,760sq ft) spa – was completed at the end of last year. Asian Coast Development (Canada) (ACDL) is the international development company behind this 400-acre integrated resort destination – expected to become the largest tourism complex in Vietnam. ACDL’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Ho Tram Project

Paul Scialla, founder of real estate wellness company Delos, has insisted the company’s developments are not just for celebrities and the high-end luxury market. Delos made waves in November when Golden Globe award-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio become an investor in the project and purchased one of its homes in Greenwich Village, New York, US, boasting more than 500 wellness and health features. The company is already connected to a string

The Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, has re-opened to the public after a 23-month transformation costing approximately $61m (£37m, €44.6m). Overlooking Lake Geneva, the Olympic Museum documents the complete history of the Games, spanning from ancient Athens to the present day. A major renovation of the original 1993 building, by Swiss architects Brauen & Wälchli, has virtually doubled the display areas, as well as creating new exhibition space totalling 3,000m²

The Shangdong area of Qingdao will soon be home to its first Westin Hotel, when it opens at the end of 2013. The Westin Qingdao will be one of the tallest buildings in the central business district of the city, overlooking the Olympic Sailing Centre. The new hotel will feature 321 bedrooms, a Heavenly Spa by Westin and a WestinWORKOUT fitness centre, in addition to 2,000sq m (21,500 sq ft)