Merlin reveals plans to launch Legoland in South Korea
by Tom Anstey | 01 Dec 2014
Merlin wants to expand its Legoland franchise on the back of the success of the recent Lego movie
Merlin Entertainments has revealed plans to open its first Legoland theme park in South Korea as part of a long-term expansion plan to generate more income from markets overseas.
To open in 2017 in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, the South Korea Legoland will add to Merlin’s growing portfolio of six Legoland theme parks worldwide. Other Legoland theme parks in development include Legoland Japan and Legoland Dubai, while there have been rumours of a possible Legoland attraction in New York state.
The UK-based attractions company – the second-largest in the world behind Disney – says the new theme park will cost £172m (US$269.8m, €216.8m), with Merlin funding around a third of the development. The remaining sum will come from a property company funded by local investors.
Merlin currently generates more than 60 percent of its revenues from the UK and continental Europe but is aiming for an equal split between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
The company said in July it was in advanced talks to open more Legoland Parks overseas after a sales surge on the back of The Lego Movie, which saw a rise in popularity for the Lego franchise.
Merlin Entertainments has revealed plans to open its first Legoland theme park in South Korea as part of a long-term expansion plan to generate more income from markets overseas. To open in 2017 in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, the South Korea Legoland will add to Merlin’s growing portfolio of six Legoland theme parks worldwide. Other Legoland theme parks in development include Legoland Japan and Legoland Dubai, while there have been rumours
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Pierre-Yves Rochon creates The Woodward, a new five-star hotel for the Oetker Collection in Geneva
by Megan Whitby | 13 Sep 2021
After five years’ construction, Oetker Collection has unveiled its first Swiss hotel, named The Woodward, in the heart of Geneva, complete with views of Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva. The hotel was born after a renovation of the existing building – formerly a hotel and bank – by architect Pierre-Yves Rochon – with spacious apartment-style suites in a refined, contemporary style. The design is enhanced by decorative elements including Lalique
Global Wellness Institute to hold inaugural Wellness Real Estate & Communities Symposium
by Megan Whitby | 10 Sep 2021
The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) is preparing to host a Wellness Real Estate & Communities Symposium on 28 September 2021. The conference will take a deep dive into the fast-growing market and gather top executives, developers, investors, architects, designers, analysts, policymakers and media to examine the future of the market. The hybrid event is being hosted both online and in-person in New York City at etc.venues 601 Lexington. Hosted between
World's first Blue Zones Centre will open in Miami
by Megan Whitby | 09 Sep 2021
The team behind downtown Miami’s upcoming mixed-use development, Legacy Hotel & Residences, has signed a joint venture deal called Blue Legacy Ventures (JV) with faith-based nonprofit integrated health system Adventist Health. Together the JV will lease and operate a first-of-its-kind 120,000sq ft health and wellbeing facility called Blue Zone Centre. The location is Adventist Health's first flagship centre for wellbeing. Blue Zones employs evidence-based ways to help people live longer,
New champagne visitor attraction by Casson Mann and Atelier Phileas takes visitors on a journey 'from the earth to the bubble'
by Tom Walker | 31 Aug 2021
A new visitor attraction and cultural destination, located at the foot of the historic slopes of Aÿ-Champagne commune, is taking a fresh approach to exploring the history of champagne. Pressoria – designed by Casson Mann and Atelier Phileas Architecture – blends original heritage architecture and contemporary interiors with sensory and digital installations and event spaces to present the culture of the appellation. Described as a sensory experience that blends elements
Plesner Architects creates Six Senses desert wellness sanctuary in Israel's Negev desert
by Megan Whitby | 16 Aug 2021
Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has launched its brand new desert retreat called Six Senses Shaharut in Israel. With its secluded setting laid into a dramatic cliff with panoramic views of the Negev Desert, the resort is home to a 1,900sq m spa realised by Tel Aviv-based Plesner Architects. The facility is designed to offer a contemporary interpretation of nomadic structures, reminiscent of the Nabataean community which occupied the area
24-hour gym features in new £40m build-to-rent development
by Tom Walker | 10 Aug 2021
A new £40m build-to-rent development with a focus on wellbeing has opened to residents in Leeds city centre in the UK. Located on the historic site of the former Yorkshire Post building, the property features a 24-hour health club and wellness studio, kitted by Technogym, alongside a range of other amenities within its 5,300ft of shared social space. Other facilities include a large co-working space, residents’ lounge and games room.
Therme Group to expand global footprint with waterfront development in Toronto
by Megan Whitby | 02 Aug 2021
Global wellbeing organisation, Therme Group, has today announced plans for a CAN$350m (€236.3m, £201.8m, US$280.8m) waterfront wellbeing resort in Toronto, Canada, at Ontario Place. Working with the Government of Ontario and City of Toronto, the group will contribute to the revitalisation of Ontario Place, to further Therme Group’s vision of bringing wellbeing to all. Therme Canada Ontario Place will be a family-friendly experience with indoor and outdoor pools, waterslides and
New Passivhaus leisure centre by GT3 Architects will reduce energy costs by 60%
by Tom Walker | 22 Jul 2021
Planning approval has been granted to what is set to become one of the first Passivhaus-certified leisure buildings in the world. The new Spelthorne Leisure Centre in Staines, Surrey – which will be owned by Spelthorne Borough Council – has been designed by GT3 Architects and Passivhaus specialists Gale and Snowden. With sustainability and wellbeing at its core, the building will be optimised to reduce energy in use by up
Plus Architecture creates vision for hot springs retreat and spa in Perth Western Australia
by Megan Whitby | 20 Jul 2021
Proposals have been submitted for a AUS$25m (€15.5m, £13.4m, US$18.3m) hot springs development on the banks of the Swan River in Perth, Western Australia. Formerly Dalkeith Hot Pools, the site was a popular bathing spot for tourists and the local community from the 1920s to the 1950s. After reading articles about the history of Dalkeith Hot Pools, local investor and director of FJM Property, Barry Jones, was inspired to redevelop
John Puttick Associates creates Youth Zone with fitness, arts, sport and wellbeing spaces
by Tom Walker | 20 Jul 2021
A fitness club with a boxing studio, dance and performing arts studio and a four-court sports hall are just a few of the facilities included in plans for the new Horizon Youth Zone in Grimsby, UK. The 5,440sq m centre will also include a climbing wall, health and wellbeing room and an outdoor 3G pitch. Planning approval has been given for the redevelopment, which will be located in the town's
Microsoft's Israel campus designed to focus on 'evolution of work' features large corporate gym
by Tom Walker | 19 Jul 2021
A large health club plays a major role in tech giant Microsoft’s recently opened R&D campus in Israel, which was designed to "re-define office working". Located in the city of Herzliya, the campus has been designed in partnership with Vered Gindi Architects and GSArch and utilises Microsoft’s concept of team-based “neighbourhoods”, which is based on the idea of being big enough to offer public interaction but small enough to give
Ignacio Alonso overhauls Gurney’s Montauk Resort's thalassotherapy spa
by Megan Whitby | 15 Jul 2021
Gurney's Montauk Resort 's waterfront spa in Long Island, US, is being reimagined by architect Ignacio Alonso of Alonso Designs. The year-round 158-room resort dates back to 1926 and consists of a two-story building on an oceanfront promontory with a large saltwater pool at the upper level and treatment rooms at the lower level. Currently, the resort’s 30,000sq ft Seawater Spa is closed for renovations and will reopen in December
Saudi Arabia offers US$133m in loans to create 50 new attractions
by Tom Walker | 12 Jul 2021
Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority (GEA) has pledged to provide SAR500m (US$133m, €112m, £96m) worth of loans to companies, in order to create new attractions and entertainment projects in the country. GEA has signed a memorandum of understanding with the country's Social Development Bank (SDB), which will see soft financing opportunities being made available to investments that contribute towards the growth and sustainability of the Saudi attractions and entertainment sector
Six Senses opens Ibiza property designed by Jonathan Leitersdorf
by Liz Terry | 10 Jul 2021
Six Senses Ibiza, conceived by architect and developer Jonathan Leitersdorf, has opened today (10 July 2021). “Six Senses Ibiza is a reflection of the natural vibrations and vitality of the Balearics,” said Leitersdorf. “By channeling the destination’s unique sense of community and celebration, we've created a truly transformative environment where guests are invited to meaningfully connect with nature, each other and themselves, while discovering the elements that make Ibiza unlike
Designs unveiled for MAD Architects' Aranya Cloud Center
by Tom Walker | 07 Jul 2021
Designs have been revealed for a flexible, multi-purpose events centre which will have the appearance of a "cloud floating by the sea". Designed by MAD Architects, led by Ma Yansong, the “Cloud Center” in Qinhuangdao, China, will offer a new multi-purpose public space for Aranya – one of China’s most vibrant seaside arts and culture communities. Situated close to the scenic Beidaihe coastline in the north east of the country,
Life Time repurposes redundant shopping mall as massive fitness resort
by Tom Walker | 06 Jul 2021
Health club operator Life Time has opened a luxury fitness and athletic resort experience at Northshore Mall, a former shopping centre in Peabody, Massachusetts, US. The 210,000sq ft Life Time Northshore – situated within the Greater Boston area – is marketed as a first-of-its-kind destination and is spread across three floors, as the operator has taken over the entirety of the former shopping mall. The company has its own real
Kengo Kuma-designed Hans Christian Andersen House opens in city of Odense
by Tom Walker | 05 Jul 2021
The new H.C. Andersen House, designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, has opened its doors to visitors in the Danish city of Odense. Dedicated to the life of the celebrated author – famous for his fairytales, such as the Little Mermaid, The Emperor's New Clothes and The Ugly Duckling – the US$62m visitor attraction consists of both indoor and outdoor spaces. The attraction is located on the site of Hans
KAAN-designed renovation of Antwerp arts museum among winners of Architectural Heritage Intervention awards
by Tom Walker | 24 Jun 2021
The "respectful renovation" of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium is among the four winners of this year's European Award for Architectural Heritage Intervention (AHI). Now in its fifth edition, AHI is a biennial award organised by the Association of Architects for the Defence and Intervention in Architectural Heritage (AADIPA) and the Association of Architects of Catalonia (COAC). The renovation of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts
Plans revealed to build world's deepest pool, Blue Abyss, in the UK
by Tom Walker | 19 Jun 2021
Plans have been revealed to build the world's deepest pool in Cornwall, UK, which would house facilities serving the spaceflight, sports science and healthcare communities. The £150m Blue Abyss project would see an aquatic centre, housing a 164ft (50m) deep pool built at the Aerohub Enterprise Zone at Cornwall Airport. The project is led by a privately-funded company that is now in the process of applying for planning permission. Blue
Kew Gardens establishes new 'living laboratory' to study biodiversity
by Tom Walker | 17 Jun 2021
Kew Gardens has established a "living laboratory" at its wild botanic garden at Wakehurst, UK. The move is part of a research project to explore the benefits of biodiversity in the UK. The Wakehurst site is open to visitors and includes a number of botanical attractions to explore – such as the 150-acre Loder Valley Nature Reserve, an area called The Wetlands and a six-acre American Prairie. As well as
Buro Happold acquires Vanguardia to take audio-visual and acoustics expertise in-house
by Tom Walker | 15 Jun 2021
Buro Happold, has acquired acoustics and audio-visual consultancy Vanguardia Limited and its subsidiary Crowd Dynamics International. The move will strengthen Buro Happold’s depth of expertise in acoustics and AV technology. Specifically, the acquisition will enhance standalone and combined services of acoustics and sound engineering, environmental advisory services, plus a broad range of electro-acoustic and technology offerings. It also provides Buro Happold with a fully integrated mobility consulting capability, encompassing inclusive
Kanva completes CA$25m redesign of Montreal's 'living museum', the Biodome
by Tom Walker | 09 Jun 2021
Work has been completed on the redevelopment of Montreal's Biodome – a science museum which occupies the site of the former velodrome built for the 1976 Olympic Games. The Biodome allows visitors to walk through replicas of five ecosystems found in the Americas – a tropical rainforest, a maple forest, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, a sub-Antarctic island environment, and the Labrador Coast. Biodome is one of four attractions located
Heatherwick's Little Island – an 'urban park on stilts' – opens on Hudson River
by Tom Walker | 09 Jun 2021
Little Island, an urban park built on stilts on the Hudson River in New York City, has opened to the public. Designed by Heatherwick Studio, in partnership with Arup and Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects (MNLA), the 1.1-hectare (11,000sq m) park and performance venue features 540 metres of pathways and a range of performance spaces. Little Island’s distinct exterior is supported by 132 "tulip-like" concrete piles. Each tulip’s shape is unique
Hal Architects-designed Sky Pool opens in London's Embassy Gardens
by Tom Walker | 08 Jun 2021
A swimming pool suspended 35m (115ft) above the ground and forming a bridge between two buildings has opened as part of a residential project in Nine Elms, south-west London, UK. Designed by HAL Architects, the 25m Sky Pool spans two buildings at the Embassy Gardens development, located opposite the new US Embassy. The pool has transparent walls and floor, which allows passersby to observe the swimmers – and those in
First glimpse of Manchester's new urban park by Studio Egret West
by Tom Walker | 04 Jun 2021
New images have been released of what will become the first new public park in Manchester, UK, in more than 100 years. Called Mayfield Park, the new urban green space has been designed by landscape architects Studio Egret West. It will be part of the £1.4bn Mayfield regeneration scheme – one of the largest in the UK – led by the Mayfield Partnership, a public-private venture comprising regeneration specialist U+I,
Studio 1508 completes £100m revamp of Jumeirah The Carlton Tower
by Megan Whitby | 03 Jun 2021
The Jumeirah Group has reopened the 186-room The Carlton Tower hotel, in the heart of London’s Knightsbridge following an 18-month closure for refurbishment. The 17-story building has been redesigned, with an extensive makeover costing £100m (€116.3m, US$141.1m). The five-star Carlton Tower originally opened in 1961 as London’s first tower hotel and was celebrated for being the tallest in the city at that time. Originally designed by Henry End – who
Eden Project signs deal for Dundee site
by Tom Walker | 28 May 2021
The Eden Project has signed a memorandum of understanding with the owners of its preferred site for a planned Eden Project Dundee attraction. The proposed site – the former Dundee Gasworks – is located close to the Dundee waterfront on the bank of the River Tay and is less than a mile away from V&A Dundee and the city's main train station. The agreement between Eden Project and the site's owners,
Treehouse boutique hotels engages SHoP, Rockwell, ODP and 93ft for developments in Miami and Manchester
by Tom Walker | 25 May 2021
SH Hotels & Resorts has revealed it will take its Treehouse boutique hotel brand outside London in 2023, when it opens its second and third sites in Manchester and Miami respectively. Speaking to CLAD the company revealed plans to create a new-concept gym for the Manchester property – the first of its kind – with custom-designed space hoppers and other novel workout concepts as part of a playful new approach to exercise.
Buildings by David Adjaye will anchor a new district in LA called Fourth & Central
by Tom Walker | 24 May 2021
Los Angeles is to get a new leisure and mixed-use district called Fourth & Central, with masterplanning by LA-based Studio One Eleven. Denver-based developer, Continuum Partners and site owner, LA Cold Storage, have lodged a planning application with the City of Los Angeles for the redevelopment of the land which has been owned by LA Cold Storage for over 50 years. The downtown gateway site will be reimagined with the
Secret Cinema's Tim McQuillen-Wright designs Monopoly Lifesized attraction for Hasbro
by Tom Walker | 19 May 2021
CLAD understands the launch of Hasbro's Live Monopoly attraction in London is back on the cards, with 14 August 2021 slated as the official opening date. The attraction will be created by a design team drawn from across the worlds of immersive theatre, tech and escape rooms: creative producers are Tom Beynon and Paul Mansfield, with set design by Tim McQuillen-Wright – designer for Secret Cinema experiences Stranger Things, Blade
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