BIG SKY, MONTANA, December 12, 2000�The Big EZ
Lodge has received the prestigious �Merit Award for Architecture� from
the Montana Chapter of the American Institute of Architecture. The
luxurious 13-guestroom property was given one of five design awards from
a field of over 20 entries originating across the state of Montana.
| The Merit Award was received
by the property�s architect, Frank Cikan Architects of Bozeman, Montana,
and The Big EZ Lodge�s owners, Steve Hicks and Donna Stockton-Hicks of
Austin, Texas. Ms. Stockton-Hicks was the interior designer for the
project and worked closely with Frank Cikan Architects. The property
was honored for its use of natural materials, extraordinary detail, and
the expression of vernacular Montana architecture.
The American Institute of Architects presents
the Design Awards annually to recognize outstanding architecture.
Judges this year included renowned New York architects Maya Lin, who designed
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; Turner Brooks, a highly respected architect
who has worked with numerous museums and universities; Ross Anderson; and
Nate McBride.
The Big EZ Lodge
One of the nation�s most exclusive boutique properties,
The Big EZ Lodge opened in late 1999 under the management of Benchmark
Hospitality. The extraordinary Lodge blends the finest in American
antiques and original fine art appointments with the traditions of the
19th-century American Arts & Crafts period.
Several of The Big EZ Lodge�s individually decorated
guestrooms feature river-stone fireplaces and all provide breathtaking
mountain views. The Lodge offers superior communications technology
throughout as well as high-speed Internet access via lap-top computers
in each guest room. Visitors to |
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Benchmark Repositions White Oaks as The
Duke Mansion
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, December
12, 2000�For years locals have known the grand inn and conference center
in Charlotte�s exclusive Myers Park as the Duke mansion. Now, the
name is official. Benchmark Hospitality has announced that the new
name of the historic home will be The Duke Mansion. The property,
previously known as White Oaks, has received the new name in honor of its
heritage as the former home of James Buchanan Duke, where many of his lasting
legacies including Duke Power Company, Duke University and The Duke Endowment
originated. In fact the indenture that created The Duke Endowment
was envisioned in the solarium of the elegant Colonial Revival home in
1924. The Duke Endowment is one of the countries largest private
foundations with assets of more than $2 billion. The Duke Mansion�s
historical significance is underscored by its listing on the National Register
of Historic Places.
The Duke Mansion was one of the
childhood homes of famed socialite Doris Duke. Purchased by
James B. Duke in 1919 as a summer residence for himself, his wife and Doris
who was his only child and sole heir, he tripled the size of the house
to its present 32,000 square feet. The Dukes also installed four
two-story white column porticos. The house and acreage were subsequently
home and host to leaders in the Carolinas throughout the 20th century.
In North Carolina, however, the property has always been known as The Duke
Mansion.
In 1996, the home was purchased
and restored by a non-profit organization to permanently protect it for
future generations. At that time, The Duke Mansion was
converted into an elegant inn and conference center. Antiques, fine furnishings
and exquisite linens were installed throughout the original house.
Today The Duke Mansion consists of 12 individually decorated guestrooms
(with seven more currently being installed on the third floor), a private
dining room featuring southern regional cuisine, five spacious conference
rooms (located in the beautiful rooms that the Duke family enjoyed in their
daily lives.) |
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The Big EZ can be as in touch or out of touch as
they choose.
 Superb
dining for up to 25 persons is available in the Lodge�s main dining room
where Executive Chef John Rolfe�s menus feature wild game cuisine.
Recreational amenities include an enormous outdoor hot-tub spa, a fitness
center, a highly unique championship 18-hole putting course, croquet, downhill
/ cross-country skiing in season at the Big Sky Ski Resort located nearby,
and year-round fly-fishing considered some of the best in the world.
Benchmark Hospitality, an international hospitality
management company based in The Woodlands, Texas, operates luxury resorts,
hotels, spas, golf clubs and conference centers throughout the United States,
in Canada, Japan, and Thailand. |
