40NORTH is a hospitality design and planning company started in 2005. Primarily our work has been in the MENA region (Middle East, North Africa), but we have a lot of experience working in a lot of different places. We work very hard, and have had our fair share of good luck. We come from and work in a rural agricultural environment in the US, and we incorporate that work ethic into what we do now. Notable built projects we have been involved with include:* FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, BUENOS AIRES, (Argentina). Concept Design through contract documents and site administration for the entire 12 month design and construction schedule. Hotel opened in November 2012. 40NORTH scope of work included all exterior areas of the hotel including the hotel arrival and porte cochere structure, the hotel garden area, and design and coordination of the horse sculptures at the arrival with Argentinian artist Vivienne Duchini. $35M refurbishment, 165 keys + public areas and three (3) new F&B concepts.* ONE&ONLY THE PALM, Dubai (United Arab Emirates). Concept design through the entire design process of the entire development, including detailed design and construction administration through the opening of the resort in October 2010. $165M USD, 95 keys.* HILTON LUXOR RESORT & SPA, Luxor (Egypt). Complete refurbishment of the existing Hilton on the Nile River in Egypt, we spent 24 months redesigning the resort in a dynamic design process that required an abundant amount of time on site working with local contractors. $45 USD refurbishment, 225 keys.* CURVED WALL HOUSE, Springfield MO (USA). We provided complete design services for the outdoor spaces and amenity areas related to a $7M USD residence for a VIP client in Springfield MO. We collaborated with Hufft Projects of Kansas City on the project.Currently we are working on projects in the Bahamas, Turkey, the US, and The United Arab Emirates.

Edward Durrell Stone Jr. and Associates (EDSA) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is a large planning and landscape architecture practice. EDSA has been one of the world leaders of outdoor hospitality design since the company was founded in 1960 by Ed Stone Jr., who sadly passed away in 2009. I started working there in the summer of 1996 and in my 9 years there was promoted three times, departing as a Vice President there to start 40NORTH in the summer of 2005. I worked on some great projects, worked with some great people, and it really opened up my eyes to hospitality development around the world, especially the Middle East. It was a great experience for me, and me of the projects I was involved with during my 9 years at EDSA include:* ATLANTIS THE PALM, Dubai (UAE). Lead Designer and Project Manager for EDSA from project kickoff through my departure from after the issue of DD documents, more than 5 years. $1.5B total project cost, 1200 keys.* PARK HYATT DUBAI, Dubai (UAE). Lead Designer and Project Manager for EDSA from project kickoff through construction administration. Includes the design and implementation of the Dubai Creek Golf Course associated with the hotel. $180M USD, 225 keys.* MADINAT JUMEIRAH RESORT, Dubai (UAE). Lead Designer and Project Manager for EDSA, from project kickoff through construction administration. $340M USD, 900 keys.* ATLANTIS ROYAL TOWERS, Paradise Island (Bahamas). Project Designer and Project Manager for EDSA on this project and others related to the Atlantis Resort, including improvements to earlier phases and design documents for expansion areas of the resort. $450M USD, 1225 keys.* USHAKA MARINE PARK (Durban, South Africa). Project Designer and Project Manager for EDSA on this project and others related to the the site development of the property on The Point. Worked on the project from conceptualization of all site elements through design development. $75M USD, 15,000 SF retail.

This company does not exist any longer, but for 25 years it was one of the better landscape architecture and planning companies in the United States. The partners that founded Land Design Research (LDR) were all ex employees of The Rouse Company, including Don Hilderbrand, John Hall, Fred Jarvis, and Cy Paumier. I had a great 1 year experience there as a college student, and it gave me a leg up into into what we're doing now. I spent all of my money in bars in Fell's Point and on girls at The Ritz on Broadway.