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.