RMJM to masterplan Vladivostok's new gambling zone

Architecture practice RMJM has won the contract to masterplan and design a new gambling zone at Vladivostok, host city for the 2012 APEC summit.

The scheme, sited by the Russian city's Cherepasje Ozero (Cape Turtle) area, will be the firm's third project in the Primorskiy region, where it has already won two contracts to design luxury hotels

The new gambling zone will be developed in three phases, beginning with a five-star hotel and ground-level casino, with a luxury marina for visitors arriving by sea.

The first phase will also include a retail and exhibition centre, aqua park and indoor ski centre, along with a championship-style golf course featuring several luxury villas. The development will be extended in later phases with additional hotels as well as retail and entertainment facilities.

The governor of Primorskiy, Sergey Darkin, said: “Following our appointment as host city for the 2012 APEC summit, Vladivostok and Primorskiy are fast becoming beacons for the new Russia. As a modern city and region, we were looking for a firm of architects that reflected this modernism and dynamism.”

RMJM's Russia and CIS chairman, Dr Vladimir Kvint, said: “With major long-term investment committed to the region, a project of this nature is a logical progression and we are delighted to have secured the design and masterplanning brief after a highly competitive tender.”