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Agassi, Graf develop luxury hotel

Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf have announced details of their luxury mountain hotel development at Tamarack Resort, located in Donnelly, Idaho.Subject to certain terms and conditions being finalized, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts will manage the luxury hotel and residences, featuring two locations: a classic resort hotel located in Tamarack’s village and a mid-mountain site.

This development will be the pinnacle hotel offering at the resort.

In addition to being financial investors in the project, Agassi and Graf will be active in the development, design and overall lifestyle offering, working closely with joint venture partners Bayview Financial, design team Wilson & Associates and architecture firm VAg. Inc.

The couple chose Tamarack for their first lifestyle development because of its stunning natural surroundings, ideal not just for skiing but for the unparalleled active outdoor lifestyle it offers.

“Tamarack is the perfect location for anyone interested in taking a little time out of their lives to get away or spend quality time with their family,” said Agassi. “Our vision is to create an exceptional lifestyle offering that complements the natural beauty and uniqueness of the resort. It’s about bringing the highest standard of quality and luxury to the whole experience.”

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The resort’s village location, “Belvedere Ridge,” will feature approximately 225 condo-tel units, with scenic views of Tamarack’s mountain, championship golf course and Lake Cascade. Belvedere Ridge will also have a private residence club including a European-style spa. “Whitewater”—the resort’s mid-mountain location—will feature an estimated 35 private residences, all offering ski-in/ski-out access.

Whitewater will offer a personal concierge, a semi-private restaurant and an outdoor deck with stunning mountain and lake views. Both properties are scheduled to break ground during the summer of 2006 with completion anticipated in 2008, in conjunction with the completion of Tamarack’s village.

“We are delighted to be the selected manager for this first-class development,” said William R. Fatt, Fairmont’s Chief Executive Officer.

“We have been looking for a U.S. resort destination with significant ski and golf amenities to complement our current portfolio, and this development is the perfect opportunity. The residential offerings will allow Fairmont to extend its luxury brand to both guests and secondary home owners.”

In addition to offering spectacular views, the resort will boast amenities typical of Fairmont’s luxury standards. Robbie Oppenheim, Managing Director of Bayview Financial L.P.‘s Real Estate Investment and Development Group, commented: “The selection of Fairmont was made after an extensive search for a partner that not only had expertise in operating complex, all-season mountain properties but truly understood our vision for this project. As real estate developers, we are thrilled having Fairmont as a partner and look forward to working together to develop this special project.”

To design the project, Agassi/Graf and Bayview Financial selected internationally renowned architecture firm Wilson & Associates, whose varied and global projects include The Palace of the Lost City in South Africa; Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Cabo San Lucas; Atlantis Resort at Paradise Island, Bahamas and many well-known properties in Las Vegas such as The Venetian and The Mansions at MGM.

Also collaborating on the project is Colorado-based architecture firm VAg, Inc., which specializes in residential resort architecture and prides itself on environmental awareness, a critical aspect to the long-term vision at Tamarack and a shared focus for both architecture firms. Wilson & Associates’ work at Tamarack will incorporate natural materials and the use of local artisans.
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