Vidanta Theater for Cirque du Soleil at Riviera Maya Named 2015 Building Project Of The Year

Innovative integration of design, architectural elements, construction practice and nature led Obras magazine and Grupo Expansion to recognize Vidanta with prestigious award

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Grupo Vidanta

Sep 15, 2015, 11:00 ET

MEXICO CITY, Sept. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspired by the natural beauty of the Riviera Maya and rooted in rich local culture and Mexico heritage, the Vidanta Theater for Cirque du Soleil was announced as the 2015 Building Project of the Year by leading Mexico publisher Grupo Expansion and architecture and construction magazine Obras. Built by Grupo Vidanta, a leading developer of resorts and tourism infrastructure in Mexico and Latin America, the Vidanta Theater houses Mexico's first resident Cirque du Soleil performance, JOYA.

The Building Project of the Year award recognizes the most important construction projects and professionals for innovation, development, engineering, technology use and economic impact; this is the 13th year Obras magazine and Grupo Expansion has presented the award.

A panel of expert judges selected the Vidanta Theater for Cirque du Soleil at Riviera Maya as the most important facility constructed in Mexico from a competitive applicant field of more than 1,000 building projects, citing the theater's social and economic impact, innovation in theater architecture and engineering and consideration of Mexican art and heritage.

Ivan Chavez, executive vice president of Grupo Vidanta, said, "It is an honor to receive this award for the Vidanta Theater. This project is a clear representation of Vidanta's ability to integrate architecture, innovation and art into all tourism experiences we build in Mexico. We are proud to help promote greater tourism for our country by showcasing the natural and architectural wealth available in Mexico."

The Vidanta Theater for Cirque du Soleil at Riviera Maya is the result of creativity and imagination from architects, designers and engineers, who blended the natural beauty of the surrounding jungle with the 2,500-square meters stately theater to create a dreamlike visitor experience. The theater's shape resembles a grand palapa, surrounded by a beautiful cenote and crowned with palm leaves opening to the skies. Local woods were used for pergolas and decorative elements, while furniture and textures reflect Mexican design and help transport visitors into a magical setting befitting of a Cirque du Soleil performance. 600 seats are available in the Vidanta Theater, with distinct dining and champagne areas, two bars and two lounges.

Grupo Vidanta completed construction of the Vidanta Theater for Cirque du Soleil in only 18 months, adhering to high quality standards required for the safety of performing artists and the public. Development of the award-winning theater generated approximately 250 jobs during construction, and year-round operations provide permanent employment for 284 people. Since launching in November 2014, JOYA by Cirque du Soleil has operated at near capacity for each performance housed in the Vidanta Theater.

For more information on the Obras Work of the Year awards, visit obrasweb.mx. For more information on the Vidanta Theater for Cirque du Soleil in Riviera Maya, visit Vidanta.com.

About Grupo Vidanta

Grupo Vidanta is a full-service tourism developer in Mexico and Latin America with practices in architecture, product design, entertainment, construction and operations. The company specializes in the development and operation of luxury resort and hotel brands in Mexico and counts AAA Five Diamond Award-winning Grand Luxxe Nuevo Vallarta and five AAA Four Diamond Award-winning resorts – Grand Luxxe Riviera Maya, The Grand Bliss Nuevo Vallarta, The Grand Mayan Nuevo Vallarta, The Grand Mayan Riviera Maya and The Grand Mayan Acapulco – among its impressive portfolio of more than 25 resorts and hotels.

Grupo Vidanta's visionary approach to the development of luxury beach destinations brings vacation dreams to life at Vidanta resorts and mega-resorts on the coastlines of Mexico's most sought-after locations – Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, Acapulco, Puerto Penasco, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan – with brands including Grand Luxxe, The Grand Bliss, The Grand Mayan, The Bliss, Mayan Palace, Ocean Breeze and Sea Garden, and more in development.

The company employs more than 15,000 and is consistently recognized as one of the most revered employers in Latin America. Vidanta Golf is the largest operator of golf courses in Mexico, the real estate division has built and sold more than 2,000 vacation luxury homes, and the company is responsible for developing Mexico's first privately built and owned airport, Mar de Cortes International Airport in Puerto Penasco.

Grupo Vidanta was founded by Daniel Chavez Moran in 1974 and operates two foundations to enrich the lives of Latin Americans. For more information about Grupo Vidanta, visit Vidanta.com.

About JOYA

JOYA follows the adventures of a rebellious teenage girl whisked away to a mysterious jungle in her grandfather's fantastical world. Surrounded by a strange band of half-human, half-animal masters inspired by ancient Mayan iconography, the aging naturalist yearns to pass on to his granddaughter his relentless quest for the meaning of life.

SOURCE Grupo Vidanta