Al-Othman Holding Company, the Saudi Arabian multinational conglomerate, has awarded J/Brice Design International, Inc. its second major real estate design contract in the Saudi Kingdom - The Al Othman Compound, exclusive community of 120-Luxury Villas in Al Khobar, center of the Saudi oil industry.
Earlier in 2009, Al-Othman Holding Company selected J/Brice to design and manage the Interior Design of the Al Khobar Hotel and Office Towers, a 300 Million USD project in this commercial center with palm tree-lined boulevards and modern malls overlooking the Persian Gulf.
Al Othman Holding Company plans to lease the fully-furnished two, three and four bedroom villas to the Saudi and international community of executives and engineers who are employed largely by Saudi Aramco, the world's largest state-owned oil company. The compound will also feature a J/Brice-designed community center complete with indoor pool, spa & fitness facilities, retail space, theater, child care center, cyber cafe, function space and restaurant. Completion is scheduled for January 2010. Architect is AMO & Partners an affiliate of Al Othman Holding Company.
In announcing the appointment, Mohammed Abdullah Al Othman, CEO, noted, "Jeffrey and J/Brice Design was the only firm we even considered for our residential community. We based our decision on our personal knowledge of Jeff's vision, commitment, and demonstrated ability to weave together Arabian motifs with an international style that is impressive to both Saudis and guests of the Kingdom."
Ornstein, CEO, who founded J/Brice Design two decades ago in Boston, has expanded in the Middle East with regional offices in Al Khobar. The firm's impact as a design bellwether is being felt throughout the Arabian hospitality, commercial and residential real estate industries in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Ornstein is recognized for shifting the region from follower of international, post-modernist style to playing a lead role in creating a new aesthetic and inspiration for Western designers.
Responding to the contract award, Ornstein stated, "We are honored to have won the respect and trust of our hosts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and greatly appreciate the opportunity the Al Othman Holding Company has granted us to contribute to Al Khobar's image as a welcoming and vibrant international city rooted in Arabian culture and aesthetics."
"Today the West turns to the Arab world for architectural and design inspiration, not the other way around. Jeff's ability to create spaces that are centered on the experience of the occupants, rather than on the architecture of the building, as well as his unique and distinctive personal vision is a great recipe for success in the region," added Walid A. Al Dubaikel, Al Othman's business development manager.
In addition to The Al Othman Compound, and The Al Khobar Hotel and Towers, J/Brice is also currently commissioned to design the interior of a 52,000 square-foot summer palace on the Red Sea, just outside Jeddah. Earlier, J/Brice began designing the Khalifa Hotel in Doha, Qatar - in the heart of the Aspire Zone, which is under the direct supervision of the Crown Prince of Qatar. The firm is also participating in the development of properties in Ethiopia, Zanzibar, Libya and Barbados.
Al Othman Holding Company, (formerly Al Othman Group) has global operations extending to technology, communications, food, trading and manufacturing as well as travel, tourism and hospitality.
