Winner: Engineering News-Record: 2015 Top 50 Starts in the Southeast
For Universal Orlando’s Caribbean-inspired resort hotel and conference center, RJTR
provided full architectural design and documentation services, interior design
production services for the guest areas, and interior design and production
services for the back of the house areas. RJTR was also responsible for structural
engineering, MEP engineering, food service design, audiovisual, low-voltage, and
security design services. Enhancing the Universal Studios theme park guest experience,
the resort features a “river” pool that cascades down a waterfall slide, through a zeroentry
shoals area, and culminates in a collection of waterfalls that empty into a lagoon
where guests can catch a ferry boat to the parks. Recreated remnants of Caribbean sugar
mills and a waterwheel further enhance the island vibe of the resort.
The hotel is comprised of 1,000 total guestrooms (including 83 suites) in linked
guestroom buildings, with most rooms having water views or theme park views. The
resort also features a full-service restaurant, a pool bar, a fitness center, a children’s play
area, a lobby bar overlooking the lagoon, a Caribbean market café, and a 150,000 square
foot conference center with two large ballroom spaces and multiple indoor and outdoor
meeting venues. A 1,205 car parking garage is tucked behind the conference center.
Interior Designer: Simeone Deary Design Group / RJTR