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  The  Gettys Group and SB Architects Design Espirito
Santo Plaza�s Hotel Before Flag is Finalized
MIAMI, FL (May 13, 2003) � Espirito Santo Plaza on Brickell Avenue in downtown Miami is sure to become an architectural icon.  Designed by Kohn, Pedersen Fox (KPF), the main tower, with its clean lines and immense concave figural arch, is an exciting and important addition not only to the Miami skyline but also to the world of contemporary architecture. 

The 36-story mixed use building will house Espirito Santo Bank of Florida, general office space, retail space, a restaurant and bar, residential condominiums and a luxury hotel. When construction began, no hotel brand had been named.  It was therefore imperative for the developer to pull together a powerhouse team familiar with the luxury hotel market and capable of designing a 4 1/2-star hotel without the benefits of a brand�s technical services department.  Estoril, Inc., the owner and developer of the property, hired The Gettys Group, an award-winning design architecture, interior design and procurement firm based in Chicago.  Working with Gettys and acting as Architect-of-Record for the hotel�s interior is the Miami office of SB Architects (Sandy Babcock).

Brought on board in July 2002, Gettys and SB Architects had their work cut out for them.  Since the project was already underway, both firms needed to rapidly become familiar with the project history, players, scope of work and quality parameters.  Knowing that the hotel would ultimately need to meet stringent brand standards for a yet unnamed flag, Gettys relied upon its familiarity with all of the luxury brands to design an adaptable program.  The hotel needed to work within the confines of the existing building structure, complement the dramatic architecture, appeal to the Miami market and be a stunning addition to any luxury hotel collection.

Befitting the clean lines of the building�s exterior, the style of the hotel is decidedly modern, according to Ariane Steinbeck, Gettys Senior Vice President.  Upon entering Espirito Santo Plaza, hotel guests are directed up to the 25th floor sky lobby.  The lobby, with its 11-story atrium, commands stunning views of the bay and sets the tone for the entire hotel. �The breathtaking architecture by KPF presented us with a fabulous foundation for our design,� Steinbeck notes. The lobby features very clean-lined millwork detailing, stone flooring and sculptural furniture, creating a peaceful transition space between the bustle of the streetscape and the soothing privacy of the guestrooms and condos.

The attention to detail continues in the guestrooms and suites located on floors 16-22.  Due to the shape of the building, the rooms are inherently unique and offer wide expanses of glass, creating an airy feel. �We took advantage of that and created a calming color scheme around the various color influences of Biscayne Bay and the surrounding landscape,� says Steinbeck. �This building is an incredible addition to Miami�s skyline. To ensure an equally unique and compelling hotel, Gettys custom designed all of the guestroom casegoods. The furniture needed to reflect a unique identity, be appropriate for the different room types in the hotel and meet the functional needs of the business as well as the leisure traveler for many years to come.�

Without a hotel operator in place, the owner relied upon the operational expertise of both Gettys and SB Architects.  �Our charge and challenge was to interpret and anticipate the needs of multiple luxury brands and, within reason, shape the interiors in such a way as to satisfy any or all of those potential brands,� says Michael Dalton, Gettys� Creative Director and Senior Project Manager for Espirito Santo Plaza.  �Gettys� operational expertise was fundamental to the success of the interior planning exercise.  Our capacity to understand the operational concerns associated with a luxury brand helped to shape our thinking and influence our design decisions toward maximum flexibility and practicality.�

�Having worked on hotel and residential projects in the Miami market, and around the world, for many years, Espirito Santo Plaza has provided SB Architects with an excellent opportunity to integrate our skills on a complex, mixed-use project while working with an incredible team,� adds Scott Lee, SB Architects Vice President and Principal.

With the hotel slated for completion in late summer 2003, Estoril is currently in negotiations with prospective buyers and operators. �Although at times this project appeared to be a moving target, Gettys and SB Architects have hit the mark,� says Bill Ross, President of Estoril, Inc. �Faced with the challenge of designing an unflagged luxury hotel, Gettys and SB Architects relied upon their cumulative expertise to create a jewel worthy of the world�s most prestigious brands.�
 

About SB Architects
Now celebrating its 42nd year in business, SB Architects has earned a global reputation as a leader in the design of large-scale resort, mixed-use, multi-family residential and recreational projects.  From its offices in Miami, Florida and San Francisco, California, the firm has continued to expand its portfolio of projects in countries throughout the world � including Turkey, Egypt, India, Australia, Cyprus, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brazil, the islands of the Caribbean and across the United States.  In addition to numerous projects in process, the firm has designed hundreds of developments and has received over 180 awards for design excellence.

About Gettys
Providing hospitality design solutions for over 15 years and assembling numerous honors in the process, Gettys has designed more than 250 hotels, resorts, restaurants, spas and conference centers and has specified and/or purchased over $1 billion in furniture, fixtures, equipment and art.  Ranked among the top hospitality design and purchasing companies in the United States and nominated by Hospitality Design Magazine as one of the top 20 innovators in the hospitality industry, Gettys provides fully integrated design architecture, interior design, procurement and consulting services.  Gettys is dedicated to creating value, reducing risk, solving problems and promoting the business successes of hospitality industry clients.

 

Contact:

Espirito Santo Plaza
Sean Brickell
757.463.4500
www.espiritosantoplaza.com

Also See Miami Report / 2002 National Lodging Forecast / Ernst & Young LLP / Feb 2002
Marco Selva, Manager of 115-room Ritz-Carlton in Coconut Grove, Aims for Five-Star Rating / Oct 2002

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