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fter a pitch that lasted only 12 minutes, Dallas-based Wilson Associates just inked perhaps its most massive deal yet. The firm was signed on to design 19 of the 26 hotels in the Makkah development project in Saudi Arabia, a large-scale project from Jabal Omar Development Company. The project will aim to develop the Makkah region, the center of the Islamic World, by 2020.
Wilson’s design focus is on cultural and historic traditions of the past with a contemporary refinement and an eye for capturing a sense of place. This successful philosophy is what landed the deal for the firm.
“We don’t have one look,” said Trish Wilson, founder and CEO. “We design for the client and for the market, incorporating the culture, traditions and topography of the project’s location. Here in Makkah, our design focus is to create a balance between contemporary elegance and strong architectural elements punctuated with luxurious finishes.”
Wilson’s project for Makkah will include 25 towers ranging from 20 to 48 stories, 17 grand lobbies and 40 food and beverage outlets. Confirmed hotel brands to date include the Conrad, Westin, Marriott, Hyatt and Sheraton, among others. Each hotel will be connected by a road and the complex will also feature pedestrian walkways between all the properties.
“After 39 years in the business, we are thrilled to be selected as the designers of this prestigious and spiritual development,” said Wilson. “As a firm we have designed and installed over a million guestrooms and we are honored to be selected to design over 10,500 rooms simultaneously for one client.”