Duff on Hospitality Law

We all know the importance of appearance and design in the hospitality industry. We also know the importance and priority of saving money. Garvey Schubert Barer's client, V*Starr Interiors, founded and led by another inspirational client Venus Williams, was kind enough to put together a guest blog post on staying in budget through re-purposing. V*Starr Interiors' experience ranges throughout the US, and the team’s portfolio includes hospitality, educational facilities, public/amenity spaces, clubhouses and fitness centers. Their hospitality portfolio includes a full renovation of the presidential suites, executive suites, and club lounge at Intercontinental Hotel- Downtown Miami, Florida. Today’s post is from V*Starr Project Designer, Ariana Ranieri. We look forward to several more design-oriented posts from V*Starr in the months ahead. – Greg

B u d g e t  |  WAYS TO STAY IN BUDGET THROUGH RE-PURPOSING THE STAGNANT ELEMENTS Working within a budget is something that ultimately controls a project. However, approaching the design in a more resourceful manner can enable the dollar to go further. When deciding which elements to maintain or re-purpose, think about the space from multiple perspectives. Here are some important aspects to consider:

1)  Versatility | Look at the atmosphere and determine which style are you aiming to achieve. If you want to move from a traditional setting to a contemporary setting, assess your current surroundings and see what you can salvage. Can the room’s trim work be painted or re-finished? Then look at the furniture in the room. When it comes to furnishings be sure to carefully examine each piece. You may find a style that is classic throughout time and could possibly be re-upholstered or re-finished. You may also find furniture with a neutral shade that will marry into any color palette. For example: An old sofa with great form will look much livelier once it is paired up with new pillows. Save money by taking note of the current paint color as some neutral shades can be spruced up with the addition of an accent wall.

2)  Condition | How is the condition of the current components in the room? Think about legs, arms, finish, and filling. Also, how long has the piece been in the space and does it stand the test of time? How durable is the piece within a short period of time? If there is a component that seems to be problematic you’ll want to make sure that any reworking will not compromise the item. Let’s say you have a historic Dining Buffet with a great body but worn legs. Changing out the legs and hardware may give it a fresher look at half the cost of a new Dining Buffet. Lastly, inspect the existing plumbing fixtures and appliances and determine if there’s another fixture that could be more cost effective.

In today’s post, HT&T team member Mike Brunet (Employment and Litigation) discusses soon-to-be-impactful revisions to the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), with a specific focus on how it may impact those in the hospitality industry.

Approximately six months ago, in July 2010, Attorney General Eric Holder signed final regulations revising the Department of Justice’s regulations governing the ADA. The revisions amend Titles II (applying to public entities) and III (applying to public accommodations and commercial facilities) of the existing regulations and -- with two important exceptions discussed below -- take effect very soon, on March 15, 2011. The remainder of this blog post discusses the basics of the revisions to the ADA that may be of interest to those in the hospitality industry.