John Elliott (architect)
Encyclopedia
John Elliott, RIBA was an English
Architect
, who planned and designed luxury hotels and resorts. Born in Portsmouth
, he was known principally for his contribution to the Middle East and designing 7 star hotel Emirates Palace
in Abu Dhabi
.
in London. Upon graduating, he took a short course in product design at the Central School of Art, before winning a prestigious Finnish government scholarship and finishing his post graduate studies at the Institute of Technology in Helsinki, Finland.
. His years in Sweden and Finland had a profound influence on his design approach to the practice of architecture, and it was this practical experience that started a life time of wide angle focus on design.
In 1967, John became the first official town planner of Abu Dhabi
,where his specialisation in the Arabian peninsula began. Initially involved with the first developments of Abu Dhabi, John had a close working relationship with Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1918 - 2004), ruler of Abu Dhabi and and President of the United Arab Emirates
(1971 - 2004).
His work later took him to Saudi Arabia
designing projects such as the King Abdulaziz University
in Jeddah and consulting for the town planning of Jeddah and Riyadh for the royal family.
, Dorset
. Two years later they moved to their 1930s Art Deco
home in London, which John spent several years remodelling.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
Architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, who planned and designed luxury hotels and resorts. Born in Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, he was known principally for his contribution to the Middle East and designing 7 star hotel Emirates Palace
Emirates Palace
The Emirates Palace is a luxury hotel located in the United Arab Emirates city of Abu Dhabi.-Construction:The building was designed by renowned architect, John Elliott RIBA, who was Senior Vice President at Wimberly, Allison, Tong and Goo, an international firm specialising in Luxury Hotels.It...
in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi , literally Father of Gazelle, is the capital and the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates in terms of population and the largest of the seven member emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western...
.
Education
John Elliott (Richard John Anthony Elliott), was born in Portsmouth, England. After leaving home at the age of 15, he travelled around Europe before winning a scholarship at the Architectural Association School of ArchitectureArchitectural Association School of Architecture
The Architectural Association School of Architecture, more usually known as the AA, is an architectural school in London, United Kingdom...
in London. Upon graduating, he took a short course in product design at the Central School of Art, before winning a prestigious Finnish government scholarship and finishing his post graduate studies at the Institute of Technology in Helsinki, Finland.
Early Career
After Finland he moved to Sweden where he spent three years in the office of Ralph ErskineRalph Erskine (architect)
Ralph Erskine, CBRE, RFS, ARIBA was an architect and planner who lived and worked in Sweden for most of his life.-Upbringing and influences :...
. His years in Sweden and Finland had a profound influence on his design approach to the practice of architecture, and it was this practical experience that started a life time of wide angle focus on design.
In 1967, John became the first official town planner of Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi , literally Father of Gazelle, is the capital and the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates in terms of population and the largest of the seven member emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western...
,where his specialisation in the Arabian peninsula began. Initially involved with the first developments of Abu Dhabi, John had a close working relationship with Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1918 - 2004), ruler of Abu Dhabi and and President of the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
(1971 - 2004).
His work later took him to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
designing projects such as the King Abdulaziz University
King Abdulaziz University
King Abdulaziz University was founded in 1967 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Designed by English architect John Elliott, it had 2,000 teachers and more than 37,000 students in 2000/2001....
in Jeddah and consulting for the town planning of Jeddah and Riyadh for the royal family.
Sultan of Brunei
In addition to architecture, John also worked in interior design, as managing partner of Dale Keller & Associates' London Office. Here, he designed a 3 million square meter stately palace commissioned by the Sultan of Brunei.Hong Kong
He moved to Dale Keller & Associate's Hong Kong office, and was involved in several new hotels in China and other parts of the Far East. John stayed in Hong Kong for 13 years and began working with Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo's founder, George J. "Pete" Wimberly.WATG
In 1991, John moved back to the UK as founder member and managing director of Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo's (WATG) London office. He became a member of the board of directors and senior vice president, specialising in Middle East projects.Personal Life
John Elliott had four children, two from his first marriage to Lisbet Frolich, Timo and Maja, and two children from his marriage to Erika Grohmann, Kelsey and Yolande. John and Erika raised Kelsey and Yolande in Hong Kong before moving back to the UK, where they lived in SandbanksSandbanks
Sandbanks is a small peninsula or spit crossing the mouth of Poole Harbour on the English Channel coast at Poole in Dorset, England. It is well-known for the highly regarded Sandbanks Beach and property value; Sandbanks has, by area, the fourth highest land value in the world...
, Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
. Two years later they moved to their 1930s Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
home in London, which John spent several years remodelling.
Architecture
- Emirates PalaceEmirates PalaceThe Emirates Palace is a luxury hotel located in the United Arab Emirates city of Abu Dhabi.-Construction:The building was designed by renowned architect, John Elliott RIBA, who was Senior Vice President at Wimberly, Allison, Tong and Goo, an international firm specialising in Luxury Hotels.It...
, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- HiltonHilton-Companies:* Hilton Worldwide, a global hospitality company based in the United States** Hilton Hotels, an international chain of hotels trademarked by Hilton Worldwide** Hilton Garden Inn, a chain of hotels trademarked by Hilton Worldwide...
2000, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates - The World Resort, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Virgin safari resort, Masai Mara, Kenya
- Mövenpick Hotels & ResortsMövenpick Hotels & ResortsMövenpick Hotels & Resorts is an upscale international Swiss hotel chain. The hotels are primarily 5-star resort hotels and business/airport hotels....
Dead Sea Resort & Spa, Jordan - Jumeirah Beach ResidenceJumeirah Beach ResidenceJumeirah Beach Residence is a long, gross floor area waterfront community located against the Arabic Gulf in Dubai Marina in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the largest single phase residential development in the world and contains 40 towers...
, Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Private Palaces, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Shangri-La Hotels and ResortsShangri-La Hotels and ResortsHong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts runs the Shangri-La, Kerry and Traders brands of hotels.-Companies:*Shangri-La Asia Limited is incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability...
Resort, Oman, Muscat - Sheraton Hotels and ResortsSheraton Hotels and ResortsSheraton Hotels and Resorts is Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide's largest and second oldest brand . Starwood's headquarters are in White Plains, New York.-Sheraton history:...
Abu Soma, Soma Bay, Egypt - Mövenpick Hotels & ResortsMövenpick Hotels & ResortsMövenpick Hotels & Resorts is an upscale international Swiss hotel chain. The hotels are primarily 5-star resort hotels and business/airport hotels....
El Gouna, Egypt - IntercontinentalIntercontinentalIntercontinental may refer to:* anything spanning several continents* Intercontinental ballistic missile* the InterContinental hotel chain* InterContinental Hotels Group* Intercontinental Cup * Intercontinental Championship...
Hotel Amman, Amman, Jordan - Grand HyattHyattHyatt Hotels Corporation , is an international operator of hotels.Hyatt Center is the headquarters for Hyatt corporation...
Amman, Amman, Jordan - Aqaba Beach Resort, Aqaba, Jordan
- Marina Village Ayla Oasis Resort, Aqaba, Jordan
- LegolandLegolandLegoland is a chain of Lego-themed theme parks. They are not fully owned by Lego Group itself; rather they are owned and operated by the British theme park company Merlin Entertainment.The chain currently consists of:* Legoland Billund...
, Windsor, United Kingdom - Denia Marriott La Sella Golf Resort & Spa, Denia, Spain
- HyattHyattHyatt Hotels Corporation , is an international operator of hotels.Hyatt Center is the headquarters for Hyatt corporation...
Regency La Manga Golf Resort, Spain - HiltonHilton-Companies:* Hilton Worldwide, a global hospitality company based in the United States** Hilton Hotels, an international chain of hotels trademarked by Hilton Worldwide** Hilton Garden Inn, a chain of hotels trademarked by Hilton Worldwide...
International Resort, Mauritius - St. Gallen, Switzerland
- Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Three National Clinics, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- King Abdulaziz UniversityKing Abdulaziz UniversityKing Abdulaziz University was founded in 1967 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Designed by English architect John Elliott, it had 2,000 teachers and more than 37,000 students in 2000/2001....
, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - University of CalabarUniversity of CalabarThe University of Calabar - also known as UNICAL - is a university situated in Calabar, Cross River State, southeastern Nigeria. It is one of Nigerian's second generation universities. The University of Calabar was a campus of the University of Nigeria until 1975...
, Nigeria - Vilamoura, Algave, Portugal
- Villa Gardelius, Stockholm, Sweden
- Svapavaara Housing Kiruna HSB Housing, Tibro, Sweden
- HSB Housing, Gyttorp, Sweden
- Birmingham University Arts Tower, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Coutts & Co Bank, London, United Kingdom
- Villa Complex, St.Tropez, France
- Phillps Petroleum Villa, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Phillips Petroleum Offices, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Interior Design
- Claridge'sClaridge'sClaridge's is a luxury hotel in Mayfair, central London. It is located at the corner of Brook Street and Davies Street.-History:Claridge's is a traditional grand hotel. Its extensive and old connections with royalty have led to it being referred to as an "extension to Buckingham Palace"...
, London, United Kingdom (hotel refurbishment) - New Istana Palace, Brunei
- Harbour Grand Hotel, North Point, Hong Kong
- City Plaza Shopping Centre, Hong Kong
Master Planning
- Town Plan, Trebo, Sweden
- Town Plan, Gytorp, Sweden
- Town Plan, Svapavaara Kiruna, Sweden
- Redevelopment of Norwich Station, Norwich, United Kingdom
- Town Plan, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Town Plan, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Town Plan, Um Al Qwain, United Arab Emirates
- Shangri La Resort Master Plan, Muscat, Oman
- Aftelqaat Resort Master Plan, Muscat, Oman
- Bahwan Resort Master Plan, Muscat, Oman
- Ayla Oasis Marina Village Urban Plan, Aqaba, Jordan
- Excelsior Hotel, Nanjing, China
- Mandarin Hotel, Guilin, China
- Swiss Hotel, Beijing, China
- Sharm Al Ibli Master Plan, Red Sea, Egypt
- National Elephant Park Master Plan, Muputo, Mozambique