The W Hotel Resort and Residences recognized by DBA

The W Hotel Resort and Residences was selected as the Best Hospitality Project of the Year Worldwide by Developers and Builders Alliance (DBA), a Miami, FL-based non-profit organization, which through its annual Community Advancement Awards event, honors outstanding projects and individuals in the building industry. The DBA announced its winners on July 15th, initially naming The W Hotel Resort and Residences among Best Projects in the USA & Canada, and subsequently as the single top hospitality project worldwide. KM/Plaza, New York City-based Plaza Construction's Florida operation, served as Construction Manager on the 875,000 s/f, 21-story, 408-unit condominium hotel owned by RFR Holding LLC in conjunction with TriStar Capital led by David Edelstein. Located at 23rd St. and Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, the hotel was designed by Costas Kondilys Design LLC together with local architect, Nichols, Brosch, Wurst, Wolfe & Associates. "We are thrilled that the DBA has honored The W Hotel with this most prestigious award," said Brad Meltzer president of KM/Plaza. "We were privileged to work alongside a star studded cast of architects, designers, and engineers on the W, in the creation of what has become the new centerpiece of Miami Beach." One of the most challenging of the construction tasks was forming a 400-foot vehicular tunnel designed to facilitate the easing of traffic on Collins Avenue. An underground thoroughfare used for valet services, the tunnel was built only steps from the ocean, therefore requiring special engineering and construction techniques. The W was completed in 2009. All entries considered by the DBA for the Community Advancement Awards were judged on the following criteria: overall impact in the community, technical excellence, innovative design and construction, general appearance, vision, historic preservation and involvement with their communities.