This book features the design details of the largest and most innovative examples from such cutting-edge firms as Archi-Tectonics, ARO, Escher GuneWardena, and Office dA, among others. Its pages offer ...
Edward Kaen, founder and ceo of The Keating Hotel Group, says he regularly encounters owners of small hotels whose properites "are ready for refurbishing, but need a theme." In response, Kaen is seeking to sign such owners up as franchisees of his company's The Keating by Pininfarina boutique hotel brand.
"If these folks become part of The Keating Hotel Group, they can brand themselves with the Keating name and get instant recognition," he explains.
Keating has an exclusive partnership with the Italian-based design house Pininfarina, which is best known for its work on Ferraris and Mazeratis. The first Pininfarina-designed Keating Hotel opened in downtown San Diego's Gaslamp District in 2007. Kaen says that future hotels in the chain will follow that property's design template, with location-specific details blended in.
"The Keating theme is mixing the new with the old, and Pininfarina design emphasizes ergonomics and functionality," Kaen said. "Each new hotel will designed for its city. For instance, the floors at the San Diego Keating are ‘Battleship Grey' to reflect the city's military history."