LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (May 9, 2002) Castle & Cooke, Inc. announced plans to build a new 285,000 square-foot hotel and spa complex in Westlake Village, California. The proposed project includes, as a prominent feature, a nutrition and lifestyle center.
The Westlake Village City Council approved the new hotel and spa on May 8, 2002. The project will be located on a 20-acre parcel at the southwest corner of Via Colinas and Via Rocas, Westlake Village, California. Construction is planned to commence in the fall of 2002, with projected completion to take place in early 2004.
The proposed project consists of a six-story building, 285 guest rooms and suites, a spa, nutrition and lifestyle center, and two-story parking structure. The building, designed by Arnold C. Savrann, A.I.A., will be clad in red brick with high-energy glazing and galvanized metal roof. The development will include approximately 13 acres of open space, with gardens, walkways, water features and mature trees at the perimeter of the site as well as throughout the grounds. Mr. Savrann also designed an existing office building located on an adjacent 10-acre parcel. When the new facility is completed, the two separate developments are designed to visually complement and unify the properties.
David H. Murdock, chairman of the board of Castle & Cooke, Inc., said, “We are excited about bringing this facility to Westlake Village. The hotel and spa will provide this growing area with luxurious accommodations and amenities. A major feature of the hotel and spa will be a center devoted to the pursuit of healthy living. The center will offer guests the opportunity to learn about healthy living through proper diet, nutrition and exercise. It is anticipated that the center will present programs for desired lifestyle changes and offer guidelines on how to eat, exercise, reduce the risk of illness and injury and generally improve health and well-being. Discussions are underway with Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, to develop the educational component of the center.”
The luxurious hotel will be of 5-star quality, and will include meeting and function facilities capable of accommodating groups of up to 400 persons. The proposed plan also includes several fine and casual dining options overlooking the gardens, waterfalls and luxuriant landscaping. In addition, the spa will feature a café specializing in nutritious foods and drinks.
The spa, while incorporating many familiar amenities, will primarily focus on psychological and physical well-being. Facilities will be built to accommodate, among other things, lectures, medical and nutrition seminars, exhibition cooking and diet counseling. Therapy pools, massage, steam, sauna, yoga, and exercise areas and equipment will be installed in the fitness facility. The spa will connect to an indoor/outdoor pool with a retractable roof. Adjoining the spa will be 32 special suites offering state-of-the art amenities and services.
Castle & Cooke, Inc. and its affiliated companies have operations in over 24 states. The company's diversified businesses include the development and ownership of real estate, leasing of transportation equipment, manufacture of brick and air-conditioning equipment and ownership of public warehouses. The company's real estate developments include master planned communities such as Mililani Town on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, Lake Sherwood in Thousand Oaks, California, and Seven Oaks in Bakersfield, California. The company also owns two of the world's highest-rated resorts on the 98% owned island of Lana'i in Hawaii