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HONOLULU, April 14, 1998 - Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo Architects, Planners and Consultants (WAT&G) has been selected by Asian Village Antigua Ltd. (A Johan Company) to design a 1,400-acre multi-phased, master - planned resort on Antigua, an independent island state southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea.
The project, to be known as Asian Village Resort, is on the north and
northeast part of Antigua
and includes a number of smaller islands.
When complete it will include six resort hotels; a retail village;
conference center; international standard casino; water theme park; racquet
club; equestrian center; hotel training school; two 18-hole golf courses;
golf clubhouse; and an upscale residential component.
WAT&G principal-in-charge Ron Mitchell said, �It�s very exciting
for us to be doing a project in the Caribbean, and it happened in an interesting
way. Some time ago, a Southeast Asian client, recognizing that the
Asian resort development market was becoming saturated, felt it would be
wise to help diversify the economy by taking development elsewhere.
When he selected the Caribbean for this project, he took us with him.
�For the design of this multifaceted project, the client wanted to
present a world view, to showcase selected Asian cultures but without turning
his back on the host culture. Toward this end, we developed a concept
based on celebration of the cultures and lifestyles of Bali, Malaysia,
and Thailand, as well as the Caribbean.
�In developing the design, it was our goal to transform, not replicate,
the architectures of the selected cultures, giving them an openness and
lightness appropriate to the Caribbean environment. Overall, the
architecture will be low-rise, low-density, and low-key, but rich in creative
detail.�
Now in schematic design, Asian Village Resort, Phase I, includes:
a 750-room hotel of Malaysian design; a 100-unit Bali-inspired all-suites
hotel; a casino reminiscent of Asian plantation Colonial style; a retail/sports
complex inspired by Asian shop house design; two 18-hole golf courses with
a Caribbean style clubhouse; and residences of Balinese and plantation
style.
Construction is scheduled to begin in January 1999. Phase I estimated
completion date is mid-2000.
The project has been master planned by Ecoplan. Architect of record is GDP Architects Sdn Bhd of Malaysia.
With 300 professionals, WAT&G ranks among the ten largest architecture
firms in the United States. From offices in Honolulu, Hawaii; Newport
Beach, California; London, England; and Singapore, WAT&G is currently
managing projects in 40 countries. In addition to its focus on urban
and resort hotels, WAT&G�s expertise centers on the planning, design,
and renovation of golf resorts and clubhouses; mixed-use projects; retail
and entertainment centers; theme parks; casinos; and conference centers.
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