When it came time to select a landscape architectural firm for Paradise City in Incheon, South Korea, it makes sense that they chose one that’s had a hand in renowned locations like the Mirage, Bellagio Resort & Casino and Wynn Las Vegas.
Lifescapes International, based in Newport, California, is a landscape architectural firm that has become known for its work in designing resorts, hotels, casinos and retail/mixed use projects. Aside from the previously mentioned casinos mentioned, Lifescapes has also worked on the Fontainebleau Miami Beach and the Hyatt Regency in Thessaloniki in Greece.
Paradise City is $1.1 billion entertainment and gaming resort complex that is 83 acres total. It includes 12 facilities, such as a five-star hotel, pool villas, a casino, an art gallery and much more.
“As Northeast Asia’s first ‘art-tainment’ integrated resort, Paradise City offers an unparalleled guest experience,” said Julie Brinkerhoff-Jacobs, president of Lifescapes International. “This mega-resort combines a diverse range of hospitality, gaming, art and retail amenities, allowing guests to experience luxury, beauty and entertainment like no other in Northeast Asia.”
The firm was tasked with creating a one-of-a-kind guest experience through programmable spaces, water entertainment shows and landscaped environments to attract guests and encourage repeat visits.
“Based on our experience in designing 12 iconic resort casinos along the Las Vegas strip, we were selected to design the overall landscaped environment and deliver on the developers’ concept for this project, which was to create the ultimate destination that would attract tourists year-round,” Brinkerhoff-Jacobs said. “Our vision was to bring the vibrant energy of Las Vegas to Korea by integrating water features and immersive gardens, thereby heightening the dramatic element of the setting and cultivating an exceptional entertainment-driven experience.”
The company included landscaping throughout the main resort-style pool and designed a large Las Vegas-style main entry, wedding gardens, private villas and gardens that flow both inside and out.
The landscape design mixed a number of different cultural styles including Italian villa elements, Mediterranean motifs and Korean-pop culture.
“Paradise City’s unique value proposition is its artful convergence of different cultures including those of the East and West,” Brinkeroff-Jacobs said.
In order to meld all the cultures’ elements harmoniously, Lifescapes used trees and plants native to South Korea, including hornbeam bonsai, weeping willow, cherry blossoms, konara oak trees, sawleaf zelkova and loropetalum, along with others.
“We understood that the project needed to highlight South Korea’s rich cultural identity, while attracting international business,” Brinkerhoff-Jacobs said. “By integrating a diverse range of native plants, we were able to preserve the integrity of the cultural experience, while also bringing the excitement of Las Vegas in a way that would drive tourism and put South Korea on the map for future travel.”