J Brice Design International begins work on the new Al-Khobar Hotel and Towers in Al-Khobar

The project is being developed by The Al-Othman Group of Companies, a diversified multinational conglomerate based in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The $300m project, with its adjacent matching office tower, is among several hotel and resort developments being designed by J/Brice Design throughout the Middle East, Africa and the Pacific. The J/Brice International office and design studio in Dammam, Saudi Arabia is managing the project. The office was opened 2007 to better serve a burgeoning list of J/Brice clients in the Middle East.

The 19-story, neo-modern twin-structure will include 218 guestrooms plus a single Royal Suite, two Presidential Suites and two Executive Suites. There will be two Penthouse residences on the top floor and 16 luxury residences floors 15 through 18 - all of which will have superb views of a city known for contrasting modern commercial activity with ancient traditions and sights, according to Jeffrey Ornstein, J/Brice Design International founder and CEO.

The project also includes a separate structure with two, 15,000 square-foot ballrooms comprising entire floors that will accommodate major social and business events. The hotel will have four restaurants - a Parisian Bistro, Italian restaurant, Asian-fusion restaurant and casual buffet eatery.

Separate luxury spas will accommodate men and women and will be adjacent to an indoor pool with a domed glass ceiling. Included too will be retail outlets, a business center and additional meeting space.

Founded in Boston, Massachusetts, USA 20 years ago, J/Brice Design has grown to become an international hospitality industry powerhouse. In addition to the Al-Khobar, J/Brice has an exclusive agreement with Fahd Alireza Engineering Company (FAEC) headquartered in the neighboring city of Dammam for work within the Saudi Kingdom. FAEC has also arranged for J/Brice to participate in opportunities in neighboring Bahrain, where the luxury sector is starting to outpace the phenomenal real estate growth of Dubai, UAE.

Al Othman Group, one of the largest corporations in the region, has global operations extending to technology, communications, food, trading and manufacturing as well as travel, tourism and hospitality. In announcing the J/Brice engagement, Walid A. Al Dubaikel, business development manager for Al-Othman Group, stated,

"Jeffery Ornstein is the go-to hotel fashion leader in the Middle East. He is highly regarded in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Dubai for playing a key role in establishing the Middle East as a bellwether in iconic super-luxury hotels. We are targeting the high-end international business market and J/Brice knows how to exceed the expectations of such discriminating guests and place them at the center of their hotel experience."

"The palette for the spacious accommodations will be inspired by rich regional materials and finishes with exquisite architectural detailing and custom furnishings and fixtures sourced from around the world. Commenting on the overall design theme, Mr. Al Dubaikel said, "Jeffery understands and embraces the culture of the Middle East, while bringing his international perspective to the region."

Jeffery responded saying, "J/Brice is honored for the role it has been granted by Al Othman Group to bring world attention on the Middle East as an arbiter of design in the world - indeed for the 2010 decade." Earlier J/Brice was selected to design the Khalifa Hotel in Doha, Qatar - in the heart of the newly created Aspire Zone, which is under the direct supervision of the Crown Prince of Qatar. His firm is also currently engaged in negotiations to oversee the creation and development of properties in Medinah, Saudi Arabia, Ibadan, Nigeria, Manila, The Philippines, and Zanzibar, Tanzania with leading regional and international real estate developers.

Jeffery will be the lead speaker and gold sponsor of the Kingdom Hotel Expansion and Investment World Summit, June 6th-7th, 2009 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He will be speak on the The Arabian Influence and Its Global Impact at Reshaping International Hotel Fashion.