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
| May 13, 2014
Drexel University case study report: Green Globes cheaper, faster than LEED
GBI’s Green Globes certification process is significantly less expensive to conduct and faster to complete than LEED certification, says Drexel prof.
| May 13, 2014
Steven Holl's sculptural Institute for Contemporary Art set to break ground at VCU
The facility will have two entrances—one facing the city of Richmond, Va., the other toward VCU's campus—to serve as a connection between "town and gown."
| May 13, 2014
Universities embrace creative finance strategies
After Moody’s and other credit ratings agencies tightened their standards a few years ago, universities had to become much more disciplined about their financing mechanisms.
| May 13, 2014
19 industry groups team to promote resilient planning and building materials
The industry associations, with more than 700,000 members generating almost $1 trillion in GDP, have issued a joint statement on resilience, pushing design and building solutions for disaster mitigation.
| May 13, 2014
Libeskind wins competition to design Canadian National Holocaust Monument
A design team featuring Daniel Libeskind and Gail Dexter-Lord has won a competition with its design for the Canadian National Holocaust Monument in Toronto. The monument is set to open in the autumn of 2015.
| May 12, 2014
Defining BIM – What do owners really want?
Given the complexities of the building process, it can be difficult for building owners to effectively communicate what they want and need with BIM. The response to the question usually is, “Give me everything.”
| May 12, 2014
The best of affordable housing: 4 projects honored with 2014 AIA/HUD Secretary Awards [slideshow]
The winners include two dramatic conversions of historic YMCA buildings into modern, affordable multifamily complexes.
| May 11, 2014
8 starter questions to answer when thinking about building
So, are you ready to start building? Completing these eight questions will help you answer that confidently. SPONSORED CONTENT
| May 11, 2014
Final call for entries: 2014 Giants 300 survey
BD+C's 2014 Giants 300 survey forms are due Wednesday, May 21. Survey results will be published in our July 2014 issue. The annual Giants 300 Report ranks the top AEC firms in commercial construction, by revenue.
| May 10, 2014
How your firm can gain an edge on university projects
Top administrators from five major universities describe how they are optimizing value on capital expenditures, financing, and design trends—and how their AEC partners can better serve them and other academic clients.