WATG, one of the world’s leading destination design firms, has announced the appointment of Jeremy Heyes, RIBA, as Managing Director of the London office. Heyes joined WATG in 1992 and is currently serving his third term on the Board of Directors.
Heyes’ 35-year career in planning and architecture spans the globe with a focus on highly creative hospitality and entertainment design, along with a vast array of cultural and heritage projects.
His portfolio includes the major civic landmark Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, encompassing more than 270,000 square metres in built area and a beachside elevation of over two kilometres; senior project architect for the original US$65 million refurbishment of Claridge’s Hotel in London; and design and development lead for Legoland Windsor Resort, England, which is renowned for its innovative design that continues to delight children from all over the world.
More recently, Heyes was at the helm of WATG and Wimberly Interiors‘ concept for intu Costa del Sol in Torremolinos, Spain, which reimagined destination retail as a resort experience with more than 100,000 square meters of green spaces, seventy restaurants, twelve neighbourhoods, two hotels, concert venue, and on-site circus; the award-winning St. Regis Astana Hotel + Residences; Porto Montenegro; and the soon-to-open Ritz-Carlton Amman Hotel + Residences in Jordan, as well as two significant, hyper-luxe internationally branded properties in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup – one of which has already been announced as the Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort.
“Our multidisciplinary team of strategists, master planners, architects, landscape architects and interior designers deliver magical, holistic design solutions that only WATG and Wimberly Interiors can do”
Commenting on Heyes’ appointment, WATG President + CEO David Moore says: “Jeremy is one of our most remarkable leaders – passionately devoted to our clients, our design team and his craft. Our London studio will thrive under his leadership.”
“I am honoured to assume the Managing Director role for our London office,” Jeremy comments. “We have an incredibly talented and dedicated team who are boldly focused on delivering exceptional design for our clients. Our multidisciplinary team of strategists, master planners, architects, landscape architects and interior designers deliver magical, holistic design solutions that only WATG and Wimberly Interiors can do.”
Heyes is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the Oman Society of Engineers and graduated with a BA and Post Graduate Diploma in Architecture from Leeds University School of Architecture. He has served as a Senior Vice President with WATG since 2009.