Higgs has also been elected to Fellow with RICS, reserved for those “individuals who meet the most rigorous education, experience and ethical requirements, are leaders in their field who have completed unique projects, and have demonstrated service to the profession,” according to Neil Shah, managing director of RICS Americas. According to Shah, “The election to Fellow in RICS is confirmation of considerable professional experience, professionalism and ethical practice. A RICS designation is a badge of achievement in design and architecture and those who carry it are expected to show a commitment to the RICS code of ethics and serving public interest.”

RICS offers Eminent Professional status to an elite group of real estate professionals who “represent the forefront of the property profession,” Shah said. Eminents play prominent roles within the organization, such as serving as role models for young professionals, as speakers at high-profile events, and as leaders in governing and representing RICS.

As DDG’s newly appointed Chairman Emeritus, Higgs has more than 30 years experience in the design and execution of retail, entertainment, hospitality, office, residential and mixed-use projects of every imaginable scale in all corners of the globe. He continues to have a strong hands-on influence on the firm’s work. The many projects that bear his imprint include the ICSC International Design Award winner for renovation, Menlyn Park in South Africa; the plan for the new capital of Turkmenistan; Istinye Park in Istanbul, Turkey; Easton Town Center in Columbus, Ohio; LoureShopping in Lisbon, Portugal; and National Harbor in Prince Georges County, Maryland.

Under his guidance, DDG has earned over 100 design awards, including many International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and Urban Land Institute (ULI) awards for Innovative Design and/or Renovation.

With approximately 100,000 qualified members and over 50,000 students and trainees in nearly 140 countries, RICS provides the world’s leading professional qualification in land, property, construction and the associated environmental issues. An independent organization, RICS acts in the public interest, setting and regulating the highest standards of competence and integrity among members and providing impartial, authoritative advice on key issues for business, society and governments worldwide.

About DDG

Development Design Group Inc. is a leading international architecture, planning, graphics and design firm with a history of creating high-profile, high-quality environments around the world. The company’s vast portfolio includes exciting new mixed use and retail destinations; first-class hotel, leisure, and resort facilities; unique office and residential designs; offering a range of elements and activities. For more information, please visit www.ddg-usa.com.

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Competing against five other firms, a joint venture between DDG and the architecture firm of CDCC Consultant, Investment and Construction Joint-Stock Company successfully earned the work. The Hanoi People’s Committee, the governing body responsible for ultimately awarding the project, conducted a design contest based on a range of criteria, with the highest score going to a joint venture between CDCC and DDG.

The joint venture’s plan represents a harmonious marriage of planning requirements and the creative integration of “green” space. The size, function and the area of the works were approved in the prior Decision 1911/QD handed down from the Hanoi People’s Committee.

In officially awarding the project to the joint venture, The Hanoi People’s Committee experts commented that they “highly appreciate the plan and believe it meets the requirements of constructing the Palace of Culture and Sports for Hanoi Youth into a modern architectural complex. Its key functions [are] organizing political activities and major cultural and sports events, [as well as] being a place for cultural and sports exchange among Hanoi youth and youth from throughout the country and around the world.”

The Hanoi People’s Committee is an executive organ and municipal State administrative agency in charge of executing the constitution, laws, governing documents and resolutions of Vietnam’s Municipal People’s Council.

About DDG

Development Design Group Inc. is a leading international architecture, planning, graphics and design firm with a history of creating high-profile, high-quality environments around the world. The company’s vast portfolio includes exciting new mixed use and retail destinations; first-class hotel, leisure, and resort facilities; unique office and residential designs; offering a range of elements and activities. For more information, please visit www.ddg-usa.com.

About CDCC

CDCC Consultant, Investment and Construction Joint-Stock Company was privatized from a State enterprise and established under the Decision No 1152/QD-UB dated 09-03-2005 issued by the People’s Committee of Hanoi. The company is formerly known as Design Institute from Jan 1972. With a professional team of architects, engineers and economy experts, CDCC has been continuously contributing its strength to the construction industry in a variety of phases of consultancy.

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Located just 20 minutes outside of Beijing’s central business district, the project represents the vision of developer Tianjin Lecheng Real Estate Co., Ltd. DDG’s contribution to the project, the 4-million-square-foot (372,000-square-meter) seven-level retail component, will be part of an overall 9-million-square-foot (836-square-meter) commercial and cultural destination in Tianjin City, China near Beijing.

In addition to the retail focal point, which will become the single largest shopping center building in China, the larger Culture Center Development also features a Grand Theater and Opera House, Art Museum, Grand Library, Youth Education Museum, and a Natural History Museum. A connection to four city subway lines runs beneath the site, and a recently completed high-speed connection direct to downtown Beijing will facilitate convenient access for the city’s 22 million residents.

“We are thrilled that our creative vision for a genre-defying retail concept is moving forward,” said Ahsin Rasheed of DDG. “We look forward to working alongside some of our profession’s most forward-thinking and creative visionaries. The opportunity to be part of this celebrated assemblage of award-winning architects and designers is a real honor, and to do so on behalf of such a complex and ambitious project will make our work that much more inspired and fulfilling.”

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About DDG

Development Design Group Inc. is a leading international architecture, planning, graphics and design firm with a history of creating high-profile, high-quality environments around the world. The company’s vast portfolio includes exciting new mixed use and retail destinations; first-class hotel, leisure, and resort facilities; unique office and residential designs; offering a range of elements and activities. For more information, please visit www.ddg-usa.com.

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The magazine, Retail & Leisure International (RLI), named the Zonk’izizwe project category winner as “Future Project Award.” RLI Publisher Jayne Rafter said: “This is an industry that has always thrown challenges at our feet, but there are also many wonderful opportunities to be had, and I firmly believe that ours is an industry that sets the benchmark in terms of vision, innovation and achievement.”

“It is an honor to have Zonk’izizwe selected,” said Roy Higgs, CEO of DDG. “Zonk’izizwe’s renewable resource management, energy efficient strategies and conservation ethic sets a new standard for the future of eco-friendly development.”

Zonk’izizwe Town Center, a 375-acre/152-hectare urban lifestyle destination in Johannesburg, South Africa, was recently selected by the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as one of 16 real estate projects on six continents that will participate in the Climate Positive Development Program.

Retail & Leisure International is a global magazine dedicated to covering the retail and leisure sectors of commercial real estate.

About DDG

Development Design Group Inc. is a leading international architecture, planning, graphics and design firm with a history of creating high-profile, high-quality environments around the world. The company’s vast portfolio includes exciting new retail and entertainment concepts; first-class hotel, leisure, and resort facilities; unique office and residential designs; and large mixed-use destinations offering a range of elements and activities. DDG specializes in themed environments, entertainment/retail, regional planning, waterfront development, urban and suburban revitalization, specialty center development, and creative concept generation for land use and project feasibility.

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Located in Istanbul, Turkey, the 3.9-million-square-foot (363,000-square-meter) mixed-use development is comprised of an over 2.7-million-square-foot (258,000-square-meter) shopping center, residential towers, offices, hotel and parking. The four-level interior mall features a large entertainment area and a variety of large retail anchors.

An important part of the concept is the creation of an open-air shopping street, fronted with restaurants and cafes that complements the city’s heritage and offers a community gathering place for festivals and promotions.

The design will recognize and compliment the culture and heritage of this unique city currently on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Well located on the North West side of Istanbul in the Ikitelli region, the Mall of Istanbul enjoys direct access off the TEM highway. Convenient parking is provided via two levels directly under the project.

Construction is planned this year and slated for completion in phases by 2012.

About DDG

Development Design Group Inc. is a leading international architecture, planning, graphics and design firm with a history of creating high-profile, high-quality environments around the world. The company’s vast portfolio includes exciting new retail and entertainment concepts; first-class hotel, leisure, and resort facilities; unique office and residential designs; and large mixed-use destinations offering a range of elements and activities. DDG specializes in themed environments, entertainment/retail, regional planning, waterfront development, urban and suburban revitalization, specialty center development, and creative concept generation for land use and project feasibility.

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Chosen based on the elevated standards of ICSC, NRF, FAPRA and Eurocommerce, Istinye Park in Istanbul, Turkey is an innovative retail, dining and entertainment center that features three conceptually distinct elements—a grand central entertainment rotunda, an open-air lifestyle center and a glass-roofed indoor retail space—combined into one multifaceted omnicenter. The 880,000-square-foot (82,000-square-meter) urban lifestyle environment includes retail, restaurant and entertainment venues serviced by four levels of sub-grade parking. For more information, visit www.istinyepark.com.

The selection committee for the award consisted of a roster of celebrated commercial real estate figures, including AMPD members Nuri Oral and Mehmet Tevfik Nane in coorperation with Sertac Ozinal of the Interbank Card Center, ICSC European Chapter Board Jury and AMPD board member Avi Alkas. The recognition of Istinye Park was attributed to the project’s large selection of retail brands, high-end retail stores, enjoyable open and closed public spaces, diverse customer base, the unique qualities of the bazaar, and the grandeur of the glass dome and green spaces.

“We are honored to receive such a highly coveted award from an organization as well respected and nationally renown as AMPD,” said Roy Higgs, CEO of DDG. “Istinye Park’s high-end mix of retail tenants coupled with the original, progressive design and inviting gathering spaces has set the standard for commercial real estate development in Istanbul.”

Istinye Park was recognized at the Best of Shopping Centers and Retailers of 2008 award ceremony on Wednesday, September 2, 2009.

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About AMPD

Founded in 1994, AMPD was created in order to emphasize and develop the role that shopping centers, retail chains and related sectors play in the economy and in society.

About DDG

Development Design Group Inc. is a leading international architecture, planning, graphics and design firm with a history of creating high-profile, high-quality environments around the world. The company’s vast portfolio includes exciting new retail and entertainment concepts; first-class hotel, leisure, and resort facilities; unique office and residential designs; and large mixed-use destinations offering a range of elements and activities. DDG specializes in themed environments, entertainment/retail, regional planning, waterfront development, urban and suburban revitalization, specialty center development, and creative concept generation for land use and project feasibility.

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The Climate Positive Development Program was launched by President Clinton, founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation in May 2009. It has been designed to support the development of large-scale urban projects that demonstrate that cites can grow in ways that are “climate-positive”. The real estate developments participating in the program will strive to reduce the amount of on-site CO2 emissions to below zero. To achieve this, property developers will partner with local governments to implement economically viable innovations in building, generating clean energy, waste management, water management, transportation and outdoor lighting systems.

When the initial 16 projects are completed, nearly one million people will live and work in climate-positive communities.

“It is an honor to have Zonk’izizwe selected for such a progressive environmental program,” said Roy Higgs, CEO of DDG. “Zonk’izizwe’s renewable resource management, energy efficient strategies and conservation ethic sets a new standard for the future of eco-friendly South African Development.”

By combining CCI’s business and finance expertise with the technical knowledge of the USGBC, the Climate Positive Development Program will support the planning and implementation process for each real estate development and establish the standards and metrics by which the sites can measure climate positive outcomes.

Zonk’izizwe in Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa, is a 5-million-square-foot master-planned community, being developed by Old Mutual Investment Group Property Investments, encompassing residential, office and retail components. Zonk’izizwe, which means “all nations”, celebrates its African heritage with bright vibrant colors, African paving designs, pennants and graphics. A 12-story hotel and a series of mid-rise residential towers surround a manmade lake situated at the center of the project. Open promenades link the office plaza to department stores and an enclosed retail/entertainment district with a multi-screen cinema. Sustainable development and “green” architecture figure prominently into the design, which includes bio-water recycling/purification and solar power energy contributions.

Climate-positive communities will be located in Melbourne, Australia; Palhoca, Brazil; Toronto, Canada; Victoria, Canada; Ahmedabad, India; Jaipur, India; outside Panama City, Panama; Pretoria, South Africa; Johannesburg, South Africa; Seoul, South Korea; Stockholm, Sweden; London, UK ; San Francisco, USA and Destiny Florida, USA.

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About Development Design Group Inc.
Development Design Group Inc. is a leading international architecture, planning, graphics and design firm with a history of creating high-profile, high-quality environments around the world. The company’s vast portfolio includes exciting new retail and entertainment concepts; first-class hotel, leisure, and resort facilities; unique office and residential designs; and large mixed-use destinations offering a range of elements and activities. DDG specializes in entertainment/retail environments, regional planning, waterfront development, urban and suburban revitalization, specialty center development, and creative concept generation for land use.

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The magazine, Retail & Leisure International (RLI), named the Town Square Las Vegas project category winner as “International Retail & Leisure Destination of the Year.” According to RLI, “With this accolade, the judging panel celebrated the most outstanding new international retail and leisure experience by awarding a special prize to the destination that has delivered the most customers, the best offering and the most dynamic approach to property development.”

Another DDG-designed project, Istinye Park in Istanbul, Turkey, received “Highly Commended” recognition in the same category.

“We are honored to be recognized at such a prestigious event in a category with such superb competition this year,” said Roy Higgs, CEO of DDG. “Our work globally has been recognized in the past, so we are pleased that one of our projects in the United States is receiving this sort of international acclaim.”

Town Square Las Vegas is a shopping, dining and entertainment center on Las Vegas Boulevard at the junction of I-15 and the 215 Beltway. The 100-acre, open-air center features 22 buildings detailing a collage of Old-World and contemporary architectural styles. Developed by Turnberry Associates and Centra Properties, Town Square Las Vegas spans 1.5 million square feet and includes an eclectic mix of retail and restaurants, an 18-screen movie theater, and 350,000 square feet of Class “A” office space. DDG served as master planner and design architects for the center. For more information, visit www.townsquarelasvegas.com or call 702-269-5000.

Istinye Park is an 800,000-square-foot retail and entertainment destination on more than 13 hectares, encompassing approximately 82,000 square meters of retail, restaurants and entertainment venues.

This year’s RLI Conference, “Embracing Global Retail,” follows the phenomenal success of the organization’s 2007 conference, “Exploring Retail Opportunities in the Middle East, India and Asia.” This year’s conference explored the multitude of possibilities and challenges presented by a number of the world’s most exciting markets, their peculiarities, pitfalls and rewards.

Retail & Leisure International is a global magazine dedicated to covering the retail and leisure sectors of commercial real estate.

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About Development Design Group Inc.
Development Design Group Inc. is a leading international architecture, planning, graphics and design firm with a history of creating high-profile, high-quality environments around the world. The company’s vast portfolio includes exciting new retail and entertainment concepts; first-class hotel, leisure, and resort facilities; unique office and residential designs; and large mixed-use destinations offering a range of elements and activities. DDG specializes in entertainment/retail environments, regional planning, waterfront development, urban and suburban revitalization, specialty center development, and creative concept generation for land use.

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In a first for both companies, DDG and Extreme will join forces to leverage their collective experience, creative talents and lifestyle brand positioning to develop global recreational attractions.

United, they will produce new ‘Extreme Leisure’ destinations to anchor high-energy retail; mixed-use and entertainment developments; and further expand the existing Extreme Parks, Attractions, Retail, Hotels and Restaurant brands.

Lead by CEO Roy Higgs, DDG is one of the world’s leading leisure design firm’s with award winning projects such as Expo-Xplore, Durban, South Africa; Fenerbahce, Ülker City, Istanbul, Turkey; Westgate City Phoenix, Arizona; Supermall Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia, Jewel of India, Jaipur, India; Town Square, Las Vegas, Nevada, and many more.

DDG CEO Roy Higgs said this partnership represents a convergence of vision, energy, opportunity and execution.

“This is about combining the Extreme brand and DDG’s 150 strong creative team of architects, planners, designers, graphic specialists and model builder’s skills to compliment a number of projects and opportunities that both groups have happening around the world,” Mr Higgs said.

The Extreme Group CEO Al Gosling said this is another significant millstone for the Extreme Group and further demonstrates the fierce competitiveness of the company.

“This is huge and will be as big as we can imagine; the sky is the limit and the world our playground with this partnership,” Mr Gosling said.

“DDG brings more than 20 years of experience dreaming, designing and creating memory-making destinations for developers around the world and Extreme is very excited to have partnered with the global entity,” he said.

Mr Gosling said, “over the previous 11 years Extreme has become the world’s most recognisable and diverse sports lifestyle brand with the Extreme Sports TV Channel alone reaching more than 40 million households in 78 countries every day.

“Having taken the brand into over 20 areas from television and retail to hotels and restaurants, we have the vision to encompass all of these developments into the ultimate one-stop Extreme leisure experience,” he said.

According to Mr Higgs and Mr Gosling, these opportunities could include everything from branded restaurants, merchandise, retail stores and hotels, combined with extreme sports experiences, including motocross; skate parks; 4×4 courses; flowriders; indoor snow domes and beaches; and other extreme sports activities.

Mr Higgs said, “our intention is to identify opportunities and work with our developer partners to create ‘extreme sports destinations’ that are harmoniously integrated into the projects and culturally attuned to the lifestyles of the markets in which they are located.  In addition, there are great opportunities to expand in the increasingly competitive shopping centre development industry worldwide.”

Mr Gosling said “the world has embraced the extreme lifestyle, and although this is diverse and spans across all age groups and demographics, the core of the extreme lifestyle sits squarely in the middle of the most influential and powerful demographic to ever to walk the planet—generation Y and we plan to create revolutionary products for this market.”

Design concepts and images of existing Extreme attractions will be available for public viewing at ICSC National Conference and Deal Making, New York, December 8-10, 2008.

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About Development Design Group – DDG
Development Design Group Inc. is a leading international architecture, planning, graphics and design firm with a history of creating high-profile, high-quality environments around the world. The company’s vast portfolio includes exciting new retail and entertainment concepts; first-class hotel, leisure, and resort facilities; unique office and residential designs; and large mixed-use destinations offering a range of elements and activities. DDG specializes in entertainment/retail, regional planning, waterfront development, urban and suburban revitalization, specialty centre development, and creative concept generation for land use.

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About The Extreme Group
The Extreme Group is an entrepreneur led collection of companies founded in 1995 by Al Gosling.  The brand is currently in over 40 million homes in 70 countries and 12 languages.

Today the Extreme Group delivers consumers a range of branded lifestyle products and services including:

•    Extreme Sports Channel – TV
•    Extreme Hotels – cutting edge accommodation precincts
•    Extreme Stores – Sport and lifestyle fashion stores
•    Extreme Element – sports courses and experiences service
•    Extreme Cred – pre pay credit cards
•    Extreme Entertainment – TV production and distribution
•    Extremepie.com – online and mail order retailer
•    Extreme Freshies – café restaurants
•    Extreme Parks – sports theme parks
•    Extreme Drinks – natural functional healthy drinks
•    Extreme Raw State – apparel, footwear, sunglasses and watches
•    Extreme Publishing – trade and consumer magazines and DVD’s
•    Extreme Medics – paramedics and emergency services rescue
•    Extreme Mob – mobile network MVNO
•    Extreme Events – sports and music events company
•    Extreme Time – edgy, en vogue, fashion and tech watch
•    Extreme Decko – large format picture and graphic

Sample Video:

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