Resorts World Miami Developer Selects Arquitectonica to Design New $3 Billion South Florida Resort

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Mixed-use development on Biscayne Bay predicted to create tens of thousands of new jobs, draw tourists from around the world.

(MIAMI, FL) -- After considering several world-class architects, Genting Malaysia Berhad ("Genting") has selected Miami, Florida-based Arquitectonica as the Master Plan Architect for Resorts World Miami. An official signing ceremony with Mr. KT Lim, Chairman and Chief Executive of Genting, and Bernardo Fort-Brescia, Co-founder and Principal of Arquitectonica, took place during a reception for more than 200 business and civic leaders at Miami's Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.

The Arquitectonica appointment comes less than 3 weeks after Genting's purchase of approximately 13.9 acres of land currently housing The Miami Herald Media Company and an adjacent parking lot. Resorts World Miami will include hotel, convention, entertainment, restaurant, retail, residential and commercial facilities - all designed in accordance with the City's comprehensive zoning code, Miami 21, and focusing on sustainable and LEED certified solutions.

See related news story on World Property Channel (6/21/11):

New $3 Billion Downtown Miami Resort Announced by Malaysia Casino Developer

The project is expected to create tens of thousands of construction and permanent jobs. Genting's expected total investment will be $3 billion, including $236 million for the purchase of the site.

"Arquitectonica's unique brand of modern Miami architecture, coupled with its worldwide experience designing mixed-use developments and destination resorts and knowledge of Miami's planning guidelines, makes the firm a natural fit to spearhead the conceptual planning of Resorts World Miami," said Mr. KT Lim, Chairman and Chief Executive of Genting. "We have identified a local firm with global expertise which will generate much needed work for the Florida architecture industry. Working with Arquitectonica, we will invite other world-class architects to design specific elements of the master plan, providing iconic buildings and structures that will further enhance the downtown Miami skyline."

Bernardo Fort-Brescia, Co-founder and Principal of Arquitectonica, noted, "I have visited Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore and was impressed by the design, the quality of landscaping, the world class art and the high caliber of the project's operations. Resorts World Miami will be a great contribution to the tourism, entertainment and real estate markets of Miami and South Florida."

Genting is a member of The Genting Group, which has a 25-year track record of investing in the United States. Its business in Florida started 11 years ago when it acquired Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). The Genting Group currently owns 50% of NCL. In 2006, Genting partnered with Universal Studios to build Universal Studios Sentosa, which is part of the $5.5 billion Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, the world's most successful destination.

"Genting knows Florida well and we have seen Miami evolve into an international gateway city for the Americas linking Latin America and Europe," said Mike Speller, President of Resorts World. "Resorts World Miami will be another big boost for the South Florida economy and Miami's status as a global tourist destination."

The Resorts World Miami site features 800 feet of waterfront on Biscayne Bay to the east and is bounded by the MacArthur Causeway (part of I-395) on the south, Biscayne Boulevard (part of US Route 1) on the west, and the Venetian Causeway on the north. Both causeways link Miami International Airport with downtown Miami and South Beach, one of world's top beach destinations. The land is located directly across the street from the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and immediately north of Miami's new Museum Park development, the future home of Miami Art Museum and Miami Science Museum.

The Genting Group is the world's largest destination resort operator with resorts world-branded properties in Malaysia, Singapore, Manila and New York City. In addition to the leisure and entertainment sector, the Genting Group has global investments in plantations, power generation, oil and gas, real estate, cruise, leisure and other industries.

The Genting Group has five public companies listed on the stock exchanges of Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong, with a combined market capitalization of $45 billion and employs more than 50,000 people worldwide.

Arquitectonica is a planning, architecture and interior design firm with a world-wide practice. Spanning several continents, the firm is responsible for numerous projects including resorts and casinos, hotels, retail centers, multipurpose arenas, convention centers and schools and universities, among many others. The firm's work is highly-regarded, gaining recognition from reputable organizations including the American Institute of Architects which has selected Arquitectonica as the AIA Florida Firm of the Year and recipient of the AIA Test of Time Award.

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