RMJM Designs J. W. Marriott Hotel in Turkish Capital

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. July 13, 2009

JULY 13, 2009 - International architectural company RMJM has designed, on behalf of developer Ozkar Construction Co., a new luxury hotel that will help "green" the Sogutozu district of Ankara, the capital city of Turkey.

Located on a 14,000 square-meter site, the luxurious 24-story J. W. Marriott Hotel devotes the first four floors to spacious ballrooms, meeting facilities, restaurants and shops in a sky-lit galleria, with guest rooms starting on the fifth floor. The plan also includes an underground parking garage.

Featuring more than 400 generous guest rooms, the unique form of the building allows special opportunities for suite rooms at the corners of each floor.

"The geometric and sculptural tower stands out among the Ankara skyline and is a striking and iconic element at the gateway route into the city," said Peter Schubert, design director for RMJM North America. "Designed in a rich palate of stone and glass the tower will play with sunlight by day and, by night, the lighted tower will be the place to go in Ankara."

"As the developer, we aimed to build a structure that will stand out in the city. With RMJM's design I think we will achieve that when the construction is completed in 2010," said Zeynel Ozdogan, president of Ozkar Construction Co.

Construction is underway on the luxury hotel, which will be operated by J.W. Marriott Hotels and Resorts. The hotel is slated for completion in October 2010.

The hotel will bring innovative sustainable design to Ankara and will include a unique design of vertical stone fins that will act as solar shading devices on the east and west facades. The glass curtain wall uses environmentally friendly materials such as high-performing, low-e coating and tinting that contributes to the reduced solar heat gain. Plentiful bamboo trees and vegetation will be included in the landscape to offer additional shading at the site.

Other hotel features include an upscale bistro on the ground level of the hotel tower along with three other specialty restaurants. An executive lounge will be located on the top of the hotel tower and will feature sweeping views of Ankara. An outdoor wedding venue will be located on the terrace directly above the main 1,500-square-meter ballroom. A health center and spa will also be included in the new hotel with indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

RMJM, which recently opened an office in Istanbul, has extensive experience in Turkey including recently completed faculty housing for Bilkent University in Ankara, a 340,000-square-meter mixed-use development in the Atasehir district of Istanbul, and a new middle school for Bilkent University Preparatory School in Ankara.