Enrique Vela, AIA IIDA
As Principal, Enrique works closely with the leadership team to create the company’s strategic visions and help set its course. His role involves closely collaborating with the design team and leadership to align business objectives with design goals, exploring new markets, and ensuring that the firm’s services meet both client needs and industry demands. One key area of focus for Enrique is building new work synergies while constantly assessing strategic initiatives, partnerships, and collaborations across all levels.
Enrique comes from an architectural background earning a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Syracuse University and later a Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University. His creative vision has since affected spa, restaurant, hotel, and bar projects around the world – most notably in New York, Las Vegas, Dubai and California. He has also worked globally with most major hotel operators on projects ranging from small boutique hotels to large luxury resorts. From a residential perspective, Vela’s experience ranges from large 50,000-square-foot single-family residences to leading the interior design team of the tallest and most luxurious tower in the Western Hemisphere at Central Park Tower. Before joining V Starr, Enrique served as Principal/Owner and Director of Interiors at Olson Kundig, where he helped the firm foray into competitive hospitality markets.
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
Registered Architect in New York State
Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design – Columbia University 2006
Bachelor of Architecture – Syracuse University 2005
NCARB Certificate Holder
Active AIA and IIDA Member
Former NEWH Pacific Northwest Chapter Chair
SELECT AWARDS
2022 Best of Year Award – Best Domestic Hotel for Four Seasons Chicago
2014 Boutique Design Magazine – Boutique 18 Honoree
2013 Best of Year Award – Best U.S. Hotel for The James Royal Palm
2012 Hospitality Magazine – Best Fine Dining for STK Midtown
SELECT PREVIOUS PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Confidential Petroleum Company Headquarters, Qatar
Kirkland and Ellis LLP law offices, New York, NY
Asellina Restaurant at the Gansevoort Park Hotel, New York, NY
Chandelier Room at the W Hoboken, Hoboken NJ
STK Midtown Restaurant, New York, NY
STK Atlanta Restaurant, Atlanta, GA
Haze Nightclub at City Center, Las Vegas, NV
Holland Casino, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Bask Spa at Revel Casino, Atlantic City, NJ
Sky Asian Bistro at the Philadelphia Airport
Central Park Tower Interiors, New York, NY
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago Public Space and Presidential Suite Renovation, Chicago, IL
8th and Fig Residential Tower, Downtown, LA
United Talent Agency Office, NY
The James Royal Palm Hotel, Miami, FL
Loews Vogue Hotel, Montreal, Canada
Loews Regency Hotel, New York, NY
Affinia Manhattan Hotel Lobby Renovation, New York, NY
Benjamin Hotel Guestroom Renovation, New York, NY
Asset Management Company of 100,000 SF, New York, NY
Hudson Hotel Public Space Renovation, New York, NY
Luxury Private Residence (2,800 SF), New York, NY
Luxury Private Residence (34,000 SF), Dominican Republic
234e23 Condominiums, New York, NY
The Seymour NYC Condominiums, New York, NY
Conrad Hotel, Washington DC
Gateway Renaissance Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia
Target Corporation’s Marketing Offices, New York, NY
SELECT PREVIOUS PUBLICATIONS
Architectural Digest – December 2023
Archiproducts – November 2022
Interior Design – January 2021
Sleeper Magazine – October 2020
Interior Design – November 2017
Hospitality Design – July 2015
Travel + Leisure – February 2014
Surface Magazine – June 2012