FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The magnificent one million-square-foot, nearly $300 million W Fort Lauderdale Hotel & Residences recently opened its doors, welcoming visitors and condominium owners to a new architectural gem whose design was inspired by the sailboats dotting the warm Atlantic Ocean at its location on famous Fort Lauderdale beach.

Catering to an affluent, style-conscious clientele with more than a passing interest in the resort's unique architecture, the W was designed by Adache Group Architects, the famed 40-year-old Fort Lauderdale-based firm that's created hotel and resorts in 45 countries on five continents.

"We're very proud to announce the completion of our efforts on this wonderful, collaborative project after our more than seven years of passionate work," said Dan Adache, chairman of Adache Group Architects. The building is owned by Capri Resorts, LLC, and was developed by South Florida-based DYL Group, LLC.

W Hotels - part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide -- is an innovative luxury lifestyle brand; each hotel is a unique and individual expression of modern living, reflected in the brand's sensibility to a holistic lifestyle experience with cutting-edge design, contemporary restaurant concepts, glamorous nightlife experiences, and signature spas.

The W Fort Lauderdale Hotel & Residences' dual towers, spanning two oceanfront blocks, create the impression of vertical waves that provide breathtaking ocean views from spacious, curved balconies. The two towers share a common design style, but play different roles.

The hotel tower serves guests in the grand style of which the W Hotels brand has become renowned worldwide, with 346 rooms and suites decorated by W Hotels' signature furnishing. The hotel also offers 19,200 square feet of event space and meeting rooms with high-speed wireless and business center services, making it ideal for business groups and convention business.

The residences tower is home to 171 one-and two-bedroom luxurious condominium units with choice of city or ocean views. These privately-owned units can also be made available for overnight stays.

Adache Group Architects created a collection of architectural elements inside the hotel in keeping with its modern, whimsical, relaxed, and ocean-inspired themes. For example, three lobby elevators can be tracked by a series of horizontal color-kinetic lights above each elevator. As the elevators ascend or descend, the light colors change to match. The unique third floor lobby "Living Room" with cocktail lounge, is a two-story open space for residents with a panoramic ocean view. And stairs from the lobby to the fifth floor pool area actually go directly through the 2,744-square-foot infinity edge pool.

Named as one of the top 10 design firms in America by Hotel Design Magazine, Adache is a trusted and respected company in the highly competitive, demanding field of hospitality and resort architecture and interior design. Adache Group Architects is based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with a satellite office in Pensacola, Fla. For a list of representative projects or other information, call 954-525-8133; fax 954-728-8159; email [email protected] or write to: 550 South Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33322. The Adache Group Architects' web site is www.Adache.com.

For more information about the W Fort Lauderdale Hotel & Residences, call toll free 877-462-1633; write to 435 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304; or visit www.fortlauderdaleresidences.com