Business Travel Editors
March 6, 2000
MIAMI, FL -- The Mandarin Oriental, Miami held its official topping off ceremony Thursday to celebrate the completion
of the building's vertical height of 244 feet. Construction for the 24-story luxury hotel, located on Brickell
Key, is on schedule and it is anticipated the hotel will open its doors to guests this November with 329 rooms
overlooking Biscayne Bay in Downtown Miami.
A crew from the hotel's general contractor, Pavarini Construction Co., Inc., used a construction crane to lift
a palm tree to the top of the building - a tradition with high rise topping off ceremonies - and the Mandarin Oriental
Hotel Group flag was raised.
"From the beginning we recognized Miami as a dynamic market, and as a measure of our commitment to the area,
we have increased the total cost of the Mandarin Oriental, Miami from $85 million to $100 million with 40 additional
hotel rooms over our original plan and expanded spa facilities," said Hong Kong-based Edouard Ettedgui, Managing
Director, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, who attended the topping off ceremony.
"Mandarin Oriental has made a significant commitment to this project and to the South Florida community with
their 25% equity share in the property, unlike other hotel brands entering the Miami market with management contracts
but no ownership," said Stephen Owens, President of Swire Properties Inc. and the development partner of Mandarin
Oriental, Miami.
The hotel is designed as a city resort and features spacious guestrooms and suites, all with balconies and many
with terraces featuring spectacular views of Biscayne Bay and Downtown Miami. The Spa will provide innovative Asian
and European treatments in a 2-level facility. Glass elevators overlooking the Bay will provide access to the Spa
and several VIP lounges within the Spa facility. Adjoining the Spa is a comprehensive health club and large, outdoor
infinity-edged swimming pool.
The hotel will bring dynamic dining opportunities to Miami with two 100-seat restaurants - one for all-day dining
and one signature restaurant - both overlooking the waterfront.
The all-day restaurant features Bayfront terrace seating for 50 as well as ample inside dining. The star attraction
will be a Singapore Chili Crab Kitchen, a $260,000 feature totally unique to Miami. The signature restaurant serving
lunch and dinner will provide stunning views of the Bay with a festive atmosphere, which is sure to become a local
favorite for lunch and dinner.
The lobby features a cocktail lounge and a separate Martini Bar, both with 2-story floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking
the waterfront and the Downtown Skyline. Conference and banqueting facilities will cater up to 650 people. The
ballroom and meeting space features multiple windows providing natural light - a unique feature for conference
and meeting facilities. In addition, the hotel will feature a business center, car parking facilities and all the
services and amenities that are typically provided by Mandarin Oriental hotels.
"Mandarin Oriental brings a new energy to Downtown Miami and a new type of hotel client to the area,"
said Jorge Gonzalez, General Manager. "Our mission is to completely delight and satisfy our guests, and here
in Miami, we are committed to continually improve on the matchless service for which the Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Group is known."
Architect for the hotel is RTKL Associates, Inc. Structural engineering is provided by DCE. Interior design is
by Hirsch Bedner Associates. The Mandarin Oriental, Miami project is a joint venture between Mandarin Oriental,
International, Ltd. and Miami-based Swire Properties Inc., a part of the Swire Group of Hong Kong. The 329-room
luxury city resort is located on Brickell Key, a 44-acre island considered one of Miami's prestigious commercial
and residential locations.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group operates deluxe and first-class hotels in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Jakarta,
Kuala Lumpur, London, Macau, Manila, San Francisco, Singapore and Surubaya. Under development are two deluxe properties,
one in Miami, Florida (opening late 2000) and the other in New York City (opening late 2003). In 1999, the Group
received over 60 prestigious awards of excellence from the readers of leading worldwide publications.
CONTACT: Strategic Vision, Coral Gables, Fla. JoNell Modys Tel: 305/576-3191
Fax: 305/576-3194 E-mail: jnm@strategicvision.org