Design firms launch hospitality groups

Design firms Yoo and
Cetra/Ruddy announced they are launching hospitality groups this week.
Yoo’s decision to focus on the hotel and resort market came after
winning an architectural competition to design a 110-room boutique
hotel in Split, Croatia. That project is expected to launch in 2011.
Cetra/Ruddy
has formally established a hospitality group and is designing a 300-key
Starwood Aloft Hotel and Conference Center in Long Island City and
CassaNY, a 50-story hotel under construction at 70 West 45th Street. The Real Deal reported earlier this year that Cetra/Ruddy reduced its staff by 15 percent.