Hotel management, investment and development company Highgate appoints Tony Machado to head of design. In this new role, Machado will join Lucid, Highgate's in-house design and construction studio, to oversee all aspects of design innovation and execution for the company's portfolio as well as Viceroy Hotels and Resorts.
"Tony is a visionary whose work translating hotel designs into extraordinary guest experiences has earned him the highest level of respect throughout the industry," Highgate's Arash Azarbarzin said in a statement. "As we continue to strengthen our position as a leader in hospitality design, Tony will play a critical role in driving Highgate's success."
Prior to joining Highgate, Machado served as senior vice president and head of design at Starwood Capital Group/SH Hotels & Resorts. Throughout his tenure with Starwood, he played a role in leading all aspects of design for the strategic growth of the 1 Hotels, Baccarat and Treehouse brands, and oversaw their expansion from a handful of U.S. hotels into a major international portfolio. Before joining SH Hotels & Resorts, Machado served as vice president, global head of design and construction at Morgans Hotel Group (now Accor), where he played a critical role in the expansion of the Delano and Mondrian brands. His original design strategies were instrumental in translating the unique essence of the brands into diverse cultural contexts.
"This is an invigorating time to join Highgate, as the company is evolving and expanding in new directions that offer unlimited possibilities for creativity and innovation," said Machado. "Whether building on the legacy of a brand like Viceroy by refining its design ethos or creating designs from the ground up for Romer Neighborhood Hotels, we will deliver best-in-class solutions across the spectrum of Highgate's dynamic portfolio."