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
Building Materials | Oct 19, 2023
New white papers offer best choices in drywall, flooring, and insulation for embodied carbon and health impacts
“Embodied Carbon and Material Health in Insulation” and “Embodied Carbon and Material Health in Gypsum Drywall and Flooring,” by architecture and design firm Perkins&Will in partnership with the Healthy Building Network, advise on how to select the best low-carbon products with the least impact on human health.
Contractors | Oct 19, 2023
Crane Index indicates slowing private-sector construction
Private-sector construction in major North American cities is slowing, according to the latest RLB Crane Index. The number of tower cranes in use declined 10% since the first quarter of 2023. The index, compiled by consulting firm Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), found that only two of 14 cities—Boston and Toronto—saw increased crane counts.
Office Buildings | Oct 19, 2023
Proportion of workforce based at home drops to lowest level since pandemic began
The proportion of the U.S. workforce working remotely has dropped considerably since the start of the Covid 19 pandemic, but office vacancy rates continue to rise. Fewer than 26% of households have someone who worked remotely at least one day a week, down sharply from 39% in early 2021, according to the latest Census Bureau Household Pulse Surveys.
Biophilic Design | Oct 18, 2023
6 ways to integrate nature into the workplace
Integrating nature into the workplace is critical to the well-being of employees, teams and organizations. Yet despite its many benefits, incorporating nature in the built environment remains a challenge.
Giants 400 | Oct 17, 2023
Top 130 Sports Facility Architecture Firms for 2023
Populous, Gensler, HOK, and HKS head BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest sports facility architecture and architecture/engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Office Buildings | Oct 16, 2023
The impact of office-to-residential conversion on downtown areas
Gensler's Duanne Render looks at the incentives that could bring more office-to-residential conversions to life.
Giants 400 | Oct 11, 2023
Top 100 Industrial Sector Architecture Firms for 2023
Ware Malcomb, Arcadis, Stantec, and Gresham Smith top the ranking of the nation's largest industrial facility sector architecture and architecture/engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Healthcare Facilities | Oct 11, 2023
Leveraging land and light to enhance patient care
GBBN interior designer Kristin Greeley shares insights from the firm's latest project: a cancer center in Santa Fe, N.M.
Products and Materials | Oct 10, 2023
‘Works with WELL’ product licensing program launched by International WELL Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) recently launched the Works with WELL product licensing program. Works with Well certification allows manufacturers to demonstrate that their products align with WELL strategies.
Mass Timber | Oct 10, 2023
New York City launches Mass Timber Studio to spur more wood construction
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) recently launched New York City Mass Timber Studio, “a technical assistance program to support active mass timber development projects in the early phases of project planning and design.”