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San Diego Architectural Design Firm Pulls Together Team for "Hotel Impossible"

SAN DIEGO, CA  (May 21, 2012) --Margit E. Whitlock, AIA, of Architectural Concepts Inc., was recently selected to be the local designer assisting Blanche Garcia on Travel Channel’s national reality show, “Hotel Impossible” on the makeover of the La Jolla Cove Suites on Coast Blvd., La Jolla, CA.

Looking for a local producer with the best reputation in the hospitality industry and the best connections in the San Diego community, the Hotel Impossible team contacted NEWH which referred Whitlock. (The NEWH is a national organization; the premier networking resource for the hospitality industry.)

With Whitlock on the production team, Hotel Impossible hit the ground running on a huge makeover with a five-day drop-dead deadline. Whitlock rounded up the general contractor TSA, the counter refinisher, drapery maker and local stores and shopped for FFE (furnishings, fixtures and equipment). “It was an all-hands-on-deck job.  Between shopping and working with the GC, I painted the tables and faux finished a mirror, hung artwork and drapery hardware, prep bedding, and more.  It was a lot of fun,” says Whitlock.

Whitlock is a sought-after design professional with more than 20 years of extensive experience in the creative process and management of multi-million-dollar projects that include programming, site analysis, master planning, design, construction documents and construction administration.

She is also an often-requested public speaker and panel member on topics regarding architecture, predominantly as it pertains to hospitality design. She has been recruited on a national level by such organizations as the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), HD Boutique/Miami and The National Exposition of Contract Furnishings (NEOCON), an international trade show in Chicago.

Architectural Concepts, Inc.
(ACI) is a full-service planning, architectural and interior design firm. Among some of its best known projects is Cibola Vista Resort and Spa in Peoria, AZ, for which it won the American Resort Development Association’s highest international award for resort design and architecture. The ACI team is currently completing brand development and design on a 5000-sq-ft prototype restaurant called “Social Tap” in Ventura, CA, and has recently finished work on Nicole Miller’s showroom in  Carlsbad, CA. Primarily focusing on the hospitality and commercial markets, ACI’s Principal, Margit E. Whitlock, AIA, is a licensed architect in California, Arizona, and Florida. ACI recently relocated to the Arts District of Little Italy and can be found at 2311 Kettner Blvd., Studio B, San Diego, CA 92101. www.4designs.com

La Jolla Cove Suites

Krista Heron Baroudi, CEO and General Manager of La Jolla Cove Suites approached the production team of “Hotel Impossible,” a TV reality show last October. She saw this as an unconventional opportunity to make improvements to her 54-year-old family business.

The show brings in leading hospitality industry expert Anthony Melchiorri to deliver his tough-love thoughts on all aspects of the business.
Known as the “hotel fixer,” Melchiorri uses his more than 20 years of experience, including positions at the prestigious Plaza Hotel in NYC and the world-famous Algonquin Hotel, to help get business booming again.

The makeover and taping lasted five days; Baroudi implemented 100% of Melchiorii’s suggestions, resulting in subtle changes that make a dramatic impact on percentages, as well as how Baroudi and her staff perceive their business.

They can’t reveal changes ahead of show time, which is scheduled to air on the Travel Channel on Monday, May 21 at 10 PM.

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Contact:

Margit Whitlock 619-531-0110

 Media:  Georgi Bohrod 619-255-1661

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