Breaking news: Wilson Associates files for bankruptcy and liquidation

by | 12 Feb 2021 | Design

Wilson Associates’ projects include Canopy by Hilton Jersey City Arts District, which launched in 2020 (Photo: © 2020 Hilton)

One of the world’s most high-profile interior design firms, Wilson Associates, has filed for bankruptcy and liquidation, blaming the impact of Covid19 on business.

The plight of Wilson Associates graphically illustrates the challenges faced by the hospitality design sector as a result of the pandemic.

A major shock in the design world

Wilson Associates, which employs 190 staff worldwide, has filed for bankruptcy and liquidation. The shocking news came in an announcement by the interior design firm’s owner Arcplus Group, which is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

It explained that Wilson Associates had suffered serious losses, with the operations of its US headquarters and European subsidiaries significantly affected by the pandemic. As a result, the firm adopted a series of mitigation measures, but these were unable to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.

Wilson Associates’ exceptional global reach

Wilson Associates was founded by design legend Trisha Wilson in 1971. Headquartered in Dallas, the company subsequently expanded around the world. According to its website, the firm currently has offices in Dallas, Dubai, London, Paris, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo.

The company, whose services span interior design, interior architecture, concept development, F&B design, branding, art consultation and lighting design, works across hotels, casinos, F&B venues, spas, residential properties and transport. It’s helped create a string of notable schemes down the years, including Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas; Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Florida; Canopy by Hilton Jersey City Arts District in New Jersey; Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico; Armani Hotel Dubai; Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi; Conrad Koh Samui in Thailand; The Venetian Macao; and Skye Niseko in Japan.

Beth Campbell, the former CEO of Wilson Associates, recently launched her own interior design firm, Campbell House. She took on the key role at Wilson Associates in August 2018 before leaving in late 2019.

A spokesperson for Wilson Associates referred TOPHOTELNEWS to the announcement from Arcplus but declined to comment further when asked for a statement.

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ABOUT THE DESIGNER

 

Wilson Associates understands large-scale and iconic projects, and its experience designing within iconic structures is realised through a proactive approach to room documentation.

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