yoo, the international branding and design company, announced a new focus on the hotel and resort market, after winning an architectural competition to design a new hotel in Split, Croatia on the southern coast of the Adriatic Sea.
“We are excited for this new venture as we move into 2009. Partnering with hospitality groups to develop premier hotels across the globe is a natural move for our company and a great way to extend our talented designers’ visions to new markets,” says John Hitchcox, yoo chairman.
yoo is designing the 110-room hotel in one of Europe’s emerging vacation destinations, Split, Croatia. Located on the Adriatic Sea, the boutique hotel will be the first 5-star resort and spa in the city. The yoo design studio won an international competition to become the exclusive designers for the new hotel, which is expected to launch in 2011 on behalf of their clients – The Spectator Group.
With projects located in the world’s most visited cities and resort destinations, yoo designers already are renowned for their cutting-edge hospitality work. The JIA Hotel in Hong Kong designed by yoo was voted best boutique hotel in China by The Independent and made the Conde Naste Hot List 2006 for design. The Mondrian Hotel in Miami, the work of yoo’s newest design partner Marcel Wanders, is a striking hotel and residence in South Beach. The chic living spaces, lush garden oasis, sun-soaked lounge, and Agua Spa at the Mondrian are signatures of Wanders’ playful design. yoo will design hotels in the brand's signature style with the dramatic lobbies, whimsical accessories and unique lighting already found in yoo’s residential work.
In 1999 yoo was co-founded by visionary developer John Hitchcox and renowned designer, Philippe Starck adding value to residential and rental development projects in major towns and cities across the world. yoo has worked with international partners on a variety of landmark buildings throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America and the Middle East, and plans to expand their hotel and resorts portfolio. The design team includes distinguished designers Jade Jagger and Marcel Wanders, as well as top designers from yoo’s own design studio.