CitizenM Is Building a Hotel in the Metaverse, and Other News

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CitizenM will become the first major hospitality group to open a hotel in the metaverse.

“Hotel developer CitizenM has announced plans to build a hotel in the metaverse, which will be set in gaming world The Sandbox and could eventually become a real-life location. CitizenM will begin the project by acquiring a ‘LAND site’ in The Sandbox in the coming weeks. These are digital pieces of real estate backed by non-fungible tokens (NFTs), on which players can build self-contained environments that can then be visited by other users. Once the hotel group has bought the site, it plans to build a virtual hotel in the location where avatars can ‘work, sleep and play,’ the brand said.” —[H/T Dezeen]

A North Miami Beach apartment building has been evacuated over structural concerns.

“Residents of a 60-unit apartment complex in the city of North Miami Beach, Florida, were subject to an immediate evacuation order on Monday, April 4, after a team of structural engineers deemed the five-story building, built in 1972, to be structurally unsound during an inspection leading up to its 50-year recertification process. As detailed by the Associated Press, Miami-Dade County requires recertification inspections every 10 years following an initial 40-year recertification process.” —[H/T The Architect’s Newspaper]

Alexander Wang will host the label’s first runway show since May 2019 in Los Angeles. 

“The brand announced the event, scheduled for Apr. 19 in Los Angeles, on its Instagram page on Wednesday. According to the post, the show will be “a multi-layered event and runway show celebrating Asian American culture, food and music.” … The designer, previously a fixture of both the American fashion scene and New York nightlife, largely receded from public view in 2020 after allegations surfaced accusing Wang of sexual misconduct.” —[H/T Business of Fashion]

Ikea and H&M are joining forces to create an “ideas factory” for designers in London.

“Swedish retailers Ikea and H&M are teaming up to create an “ideas factory” on the high street that aims to seek out, mentor and promote designers and small-scale manufacturers in London. Atelier 100, the first joint retail venture between the world’s largest furniture retailer and one of the largest global fashion chains will open in Hammersmith, west London, in May and is launching an open call on Thursday for creatives and producers based within 100km [62 miles] of the store to help stock its shelves.” —[H/T The Guardian]

NBBJ is designing a net-zero school in California that caters to neurodivergent students.

“Aiming to transform the learning experience for neurodiverse students through a nature-centric environment, NBBJ has unveiled a net-zero school in Encino, California. Titled ‘Westmark Lower School,’ the new campus will foster an inclusive and engaging learning experience for students and teachers, responding to the critical condition of U.S students where 2.3 million were diagnosed with learning differences between 2019–2020.” —[H/T ArchDaily]

The art nonprofit FotoFocus is building a headquarters and gallery space in Cincinnati.

“The Cincinnati–based nonprofit FotoFocus has revealed plans for a new arts center to be established in the Queen City, as the southern Ohio metropolis is known. Expected to open in 2024, the yet-to-be-built two-story FotoFocus Center will be located in Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood and will comprise 14,700 square feet of space devoted to exhibitions, screenings, events, and educational programming. The structure will be designed by Cincinnati-based architecture studio Jose Garcia Design + Construction, working closely with FotoFocus.” —[H/T Artforum]

Today’s attractive distractions:

Enter the unexpectedly weird and wonderful world of Balenciaga’s TikTok.

Archaeologists unearth the fossil of a dinosaur who died in an asteroid strike. 

Have we really been calling Machu Picchu the wrong name this entire time?

Gucci’s atelier will kit out your Bored Ape or Cool Cat NFTs in the metaverse.