Entertainment design firm WATG has acquired SOSH Architects, an interior design and planning firm based in Atlantic City, N.J. The former SOSH office will now begin operating as the ninth regional office in WATG’s global framework.
Both firms are known for specializing in architecture and interior design for the hospitality and entertainment sectors. SOSH has received acclaim for its role in the gaming industry, namely casino and hotel design, through several notable partnerships: Hard Rock International, Caesars Entertainment, Ocean Casino Resort, and Bally's Corp., to name a few.
Growth of Entertainment Design Firm WATG
“SOSH has been recognized as a leader in gaming industry design, and WATG the leader in hospitality,” said David Moore, Chief Executive Officer, WATG. “As we come together, we’re excited by the opportunity to elevate our offering to our clients, helping them to differentiate, grow and succeed.”
This news comes off the heels of WATG's expansion into the south central region of the U.S. with a new office in Dallas, Texas. With the addition of SOSH's Atlantic City office, the firm now holds space in Honolulu, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Calif., Tustin, Calif., Dallas, Texas., New York, N.Y., London, Singapore, and Shanghai.
The acquisition will expand WATG's reach of gaming and entertainment services, supplementing the firm's presence in hospitality, senior living, luxury multifamily, and mixed-use developments. Demand for casinos have grown; the global casino hotel industry held a market worth $191 billion in 2022—around 36% of the global gaming market altogether.
“We’re proud to come together now and look forward to the opportunity to work as a collaborative, multidisciplinary team, sharing our expertise in the gaming industry and gaining from WATG’s elite and global presence,” said Tom Sykes, Founding Principal, SOSH.
RELATED:
Related Stories
Mass Timber | Apr 22, 2024
British Columbia changing building code to allow mass timber structures of up to 18 stories
The Canadian Province of British Columbia is updating its building code to expand the use of mass timber in building construction. The code will allow for encapsulated mass-timber construction (EMTC) buildings as tall as 18 stories for residential and office buildings, an increase from the previous 12-story limit.
Standards | Apr 22, 2024
Design guide offers details on rain loads and ponding on roofs
The American Institute of Steel Construction and the Steel Joist Institute recently released a comprehensive roof design guide addressing rain loads and ponding. Design Guide 40, Rain Loads and Ponding provides guidance for designing roof systems to avoid or resist water accumulation and any resulting instability.
Building Materials | Apr 22, 2024
Tacoma, Wash., investigating policy to reuse and recycle building materials
Tacoma, Wash., recently initiated a study to find ways to increase building material reuse through deconstruction and salvage. The city council unanimously voted to direct the city manager to investigate deconstruction options and estimate costs.
Student Housing | Apr 19, 2024
$115 million Cal State Long Beach student housing project will add 424 beds
A new $115 million project recently broke ground at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) that will add housing for 424 students at below-market rates. The 108,000 sf La Playa Residence Hall, funded by the State of California’s Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program, will consist of three five-story structures connected by bridges.
Construction Costs | Apr 18, 2024
New download: BD+C's April 2024 Market Intelligence Report
Building Design+Construction's monthly Market Intelligence Report offers a snapshot of the health of the U.S. building construction industry, including the commercial, multifamily, institutional, and industrial building sectors. This report tracks the latest metrics related to construction spending, demand for design services, contractor backlogs, and material price trends.
Airports | Apr 18, 2024
The next destination: Passive design airports
Today, we can design airports that are climate resilient, durable, long-lasting, and healthy for occupants—we can design airports using Passive House standards.
Construction Costs | Apr 16, 2024
How the new prevailing wage calculation will impact construction labor costs
Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, two pivotal changes in federal construction labor dynamics are likely to exacerbate increasing construction labor costs, according to Gordian's Samuel Giffin.
Healthcare Facilities | Apr 16, 2024
Mexico’s ‘premier private academic health center’ under design
The design and construction contract for what is envisioned to be “the premier private academic health center in Mexico and Latin America” was recently awarded to The Beck Group. The TecSalud Health Sciences Campus will be located at Tec De Monterrey’s flagship healthcare facility, Zambrano Hellion Hospital, in Monterrey, Mexico.
Market Data | Apr 16, 2024
The average U.S. contractor has 8.2 months worth of construction work in the pipeline, as of March 2024
Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 8.2 months in March from 8.1 months in February, according to an ABC member survey conducted March 20 to April 3. The reading is down 0.5 months from March 2023.
AEC Innovators | Apr 15, 2024
3 ways the most innovative companies work differently
Gensler’s pre-pandemic workplace research reinforced that great workplace design drives creativity and innovation. Using six performance indicators, we're able to view workers’ perceptions of the quality of innovation, creativity, and leadership in an employee’s organization.
