News for the Hospitality Executive |
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. (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. |
Contact: Margit Whitlock 619-531-0110 Media: Georgi Bohrod 619-255-1661 |