Fakieh Group Names J/Brice Design International for its New Planetarium at The Al Shallal Theme Park in Jeddah, KSA

BOSTON and JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- J/Brice Design International, Inc. – the dominant hospitality design firm in the Middle East – has been commissioned by Saudi Arabia's Fakieh Group to design the interior of the new Planetarium at its Al Shallal Theme Park on the Jeddah Corniche.

The Fakieh Group (www.fakiehgroup.com) is the 34^th largest company in Saudi Arabia and is renown in hospitality and leisure as well as agriculture, education and the fast food industries. The theme park is nation's biggest and most popular amusement park featuring the largest double loop rollercoaster on the Asian Continent that opened in 2004, ice rink, child friendly rides, shopping, magic shows and other entertainment plus a panoply of upscale international eateries at its European and Far East Villages.

"Unlike the USA, where planetariums are typically located within science museums and universities or as stand-alone educational institutions, the Fakieh Group is popularizing learning about the cosmos by bringing the planetarium to where people gather for fun," says Jeffrey Ornstein, CEO and founder of J/Brice Design (www.jbricedesign.com), which just celebrated its 25^th year in business. The past decade has been marked with expansion of the firm's footprint in the Middle East.

"We will create the planetarium interior in an international style associated with Jeddah's role as a modern gateway city. It will be contemporary and sleek, but without the expected futuristic visual cliches. The surroundings will be in concert with today's planetarium visitor who has a sophisticated interest in the universe – piqued by Hubble Space Telescope images, International Space Station research, the emergence of space tourism, and the achievement of Saudi Astronauts," Ornstein explained from the J/Brice office in Dammam, KSA.

This latest J/Brice Design appointment follows on the heels of an earlier commission by The Fakieh Group – the design of the Miami-inspired art-deco Ocean Drive Restaurant and uber-chic Japanese Zen Bistro at its state-of-the art Sea Wonders Aquarium, also on the Jeddah Corniche.

With tourism booming in the Arabian Peninsula, J/Brice Design International is engaged in numerous projects that play a transformative role in the branding of the Middle East as an international, trendy destination for leisure, business and education. Among the more notable J/Brice projects in Saudi Arabia are the first Vienna-based Kempinski Hotel to open in the Kingdom in Al Khobar and a new Luxury Hyatt Hotel also in Jeddah. These projects are in addition to hotels, villas and private residences for members of the royal families throughout the Arabian Peninsula.

Industry observers recognize J/Brice Design for redefining the hospitality experience, particularly in the luxury sector throughout the Middle East, The firm designed The Grand Heritage Hotel and Spa for the Royal Family of Qatar, and just last year completed the new 1200 guestroom Royal Tulip Hotel in Alexandria, Egypt working for General Al Sisi, who personally oversaw the mega- million dollar project.

Having directed projects in excess of $5 Billion on five continents, Ornstein is a frequent keynote speaker at investor, tourism and hospitality industry conferences and his views are frequently cited by Lodging Hospitality, Hospitality Design, and Hotel Business. He is especially known for his unique approach to global hospitality design based on a fashion first perspective; focusing on the guest experience and relationship to the space rather than the architecture.

Ornstein coined the term Cultural Spy to sum up his ability to incorporate socio-economic, art, popular culture and political winds into hotels and other interior environments that have become the bellwether of 21st Century design.  

About J/Brice Design International, Inc. 
Founded in 1989, by leading hospitality design authority Jeffrey-Brice Ornstein, J/Brice Design International, Inc. (www.jbricedesign.com) is a global design firm, having directed projects in excess of $5 Billion since its founding 25 years ago.

The firm's most recent signature engagements worldwide include the fabled HMS Queen Mary, 1934 luxury ocean liner that is one of North America's most popular tourist destinations, the iconic urban landmark The Helmsley Hotel in New York City, and The Grand Heritage Hotel and Spa, in Qatar's Aspire Zone, and Royal Tulip Alexandria in Alexandria Egypt.

J/Brice Design s a preferred design group for Hilton Hotels - inclusive of Hilton, Doubletree and Hampton Inn; Marriott International - inclusive of Marriott Hotels, Ritz Carlton, Renaissance, and Marriott Courtyards, Starwood Hotels – inclusive of Sheraton, Westin, and 4-Points, Intercontinental Hotel Group inclusive of Intercontinental Hotels, Holiday Inns Worldwide, and Crown Plaza, Hyatt Hotel Corporation inclusive of all brands, Wyndham Worldwide Properties, Trump International Beach Resorts, and Best Western. International credentials include work for TAJ Hotels, Kempinski, Royal Tulip, and boutique properties in Dubai, UAE, Qatar, and The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

J/Brice Design has been a Certified Interior Design Giant since 1993, and Architectural Giant since 1995, and ranks among the leading hospitality interior design firms worldwide. J/Brice has twice been identified as one of the Top Ten Fastest Growing Design Firms nationwide by Interior Design Magazine. Its award winning staff has over 220 hotel projects to its credit, as well as a diverse portfolio of corporate and residential projects. J/Brice has also been recognized for its work with distinctions such as Best Upscale Hotel Design of the Year, Hotel of The Year, Intercontinental Hotel Group Renovation of the Year, Best Luxury Suite, Most Ambient Hotel Lobby, and Best Guestroom.

J/Brice Design Studios and Offices are located in Boston, MA and Dammam, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Contact: Dick Pirozzolo, [email protected], 1-781-235-9911

Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140218/NE67308

SOURCE J/Brice Design International, Inc.