Jay-Z backs a casino project in Times Square, Es Devlin unveils an installation in New York, and HD Awards submissions open. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
Jay-Z proposes casino in Times Square
Rendering courtesy of SL Green + Caesars Entertainment
On the heels of recent rumors that Jay-Z is in talks to become part owner of NFL team the Washington Commanders, the multihyphenate mogul and rapper has his sights set on another new venture. TimeOut reports Jay-Z’s company Roc Nation created a joint proposal with SL Green and Caesars Entertainment for a casino at 1515 Broadway in New York, the aptly named Caesars Palace Times Square. The project aims to generate 7 million new net visits to the area annually and more than 600,000 visits to hotels. Although the Actors’ Equity Association welcomes the project, others like the Broadway League, which represents theater owners and producers, has been quick to voice opposition, stating that the casino would draw people away from neighboring businesses.
Es Devlin’s Your Voices lights up Lincoln Center
Photo courtesy of Es Devlin
A new orb is lighting up Lincoln Center. Commissioned by Moët & Chandon and brought to life by renowned designer Es Devlin, Your Voices pays homage to New York City’s linguistic diversity. According to Wallpaper*, the kinetic installation comprises 700 individual cords to represent each of the languages spoken in the city, which are accompanied by a multilingual soundscape composed by Polyphonia. Through December 18th, Your Voices will host a diverse lineup of performances curated by Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts including the Harlem Japanese Gospel Choir and Ukrainian Village Voices.
Fast furniture is the planet’s latest problem
View this post on Instagram
At this year’s Design Miami, Crosby Studios founder and designer Harry Nuriev unveiled the Trash Bag Sofa, a commentary on wastefulness. “People have started to treat furniture like a fashion, where we can change our decisions very quickly, moving around and buying things,” says Nuriev. Taking cues from fast fashion brands, fast furniture has dire environmental implications. Companies like IKEA and Wayfair offer inexpensive furnishings by using particle board, which breaks down quickly and often can’t be recycled, leading to a short life cycle, to say nothing of the carbon emissions that go into production and shipping. According to a recent article by CNN Style, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Americans discarded approximately 12 million tons of furniture in 2018, with more than 80 percent of it landing in landfills.
URB to design the world’s largest agritourism destination in Dubai
Rendering courtesy of URB
The firm behind forthcoming sustainable XZero City in Kuwait and the Parks in South Africa has announced Agri Hub, a new agritourism project in Dubai, writes designboom. Planned to transform part of the desert into a lush landscape, Agri Hub will feature a nature and heritage conservation center, an ecotourism center, an Agri-tech institute, and a restorative wellness center. The destination will be self-sustaining, powered by 100 percent renewable energy, 100 percent water recycling, and zero waste management. “Beyond becoming a new tourism experience in the countryside and wilderness of Dubai, the project will also promote greater health, wellbeing, and prosperity for rural local inhabitants. Ultimately, it will serve as an innovative blueprint for decarbonized rural tourism hubs of the future,” says URB CEO Baharash Bagherian.
ICYMI: Submissions to the 19th annual HD Awards are open
Graduate Roosevelt Island in New York, winner in the Midscale Hotel category at the 2022 HD Awards
Join the winner’s circle! Project and product entries are now being accepted for the 19th annual HD Awards. Lauded as the most prestigious awards for the hospitality industry, the yearly event recognizes the best and most innovative achievements in design from around the globe, as well as the creative teams behind them. New this year is a Metaverse category, highlighting concepts engaging in new Web3 digital technologies. The deadline for entries is March 6th, 2023, and winners will be revealed in a ceremony in New York on June 6th, 2023. To stay up to date on the HD Awards, visit hospitalitydesignawards.com. And get to know last year’s winners here.
