GMC takes home top award at 2019 IDIE Awards

IIDA Alabama’s biennial IDIE Awards honor excellence in interior design across the state

GMC is pleased to announce it is the recipient of the Best of Hospitality award at the 2019 IDIE Awards presented by The International Interior Design Association – Alabama Chapter (IIDA-AL). The awards showcase the exemplary work of the chapter’s members and celebrates excellence in interior design. Winners were announced and honored at an event on Friday, April 12, 2019 at Regions Field.

GMC submitted The Grand Hotel renovation project for consideration. The conversion of The Grand Hotel to an Autograph Collection Hotel captures the timeless essence of the storied and historic “Queen of Southern Resorts.” Upgraded guestrooms, fully-renovated conference center and spa, as well as reinvented restaurant and bar venues bring a refreshing, yet classic, sense of place to the beloved Alabama destination resort.

The Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) charged the design team to protect the legacy of The Grand, celebrate her rich history and storied traditions, while rehabilitating the property to assure a wonderful guest experience for future visitors. The property encompasses more than thirty acres, heavily populated with majestic Live Oak trees, 405 guest rooms and more than 400,000 square feet spread across a dozen buildings ranging from 25 to more than 100 years old. The design approach celebrates the variety of styles each of the existing buildings presents, but it’s the outdoor spaces, landscape, and vistas across Mobile Bay that tie the place together and earns the moniker the “Queen of Southern Resorts.”

The Historic Main Building is her heart, encompassing the Grand Central reception desk, the historic Hearth Room with its revered hexagonal two-story fireplace, Bucky’s Bar & Lounge, The Grand Hall, Oak + Azalea Gift Shop, the new 1847 Bar, and two new restaurant venues delivering guests locally-inspired fresh and creative dining offerings.

Guestrooms in the Historic Main Building are inspired by The Grand’s historic and military past; the Bay and Marina House guestrooms provide a contextual mid-century aesthetic with nods to an important nautical history; and the Spa Building guest rooms and suites reflect a modern-day Fairhope residence. New outdoor amenities include poolside cabanas, a distinctive waterfront entrance pavilion into the pool area, and the trellised chef’s garden.

The biennial awards program invites organizations, firms and furniture dealers to submit projects completed in the previous two years. Submissions are judged by a panel of professional peers who practice in other market areas. The Best in Show award is presented to the firm or dealer that ranks highest during judging. This year’s awards drew 91 submissions from 30 firms and furniture dealers.

“Alabama is rich with interior design talent, and it is our honor to recognize those contributing to the industry through the IDIEs,” says Amy Cope, IDIEs Chair and President of IIDA-AL. “Congratulations to all the winners – we thank you for your participation and help in growing our profession and industry.”

IIDA-AL is the state’s association for the commercial interior design industry, providing resources to professionals and students in the industry and their clients to advance the profession and enhance business value. The chapter has City Centers located in Birmingham and Huntsville, as well as Campus Centers at Auburn University, Samford University and the University of Alabama. Members enjoy a variety of professional development programs and networking events throughout the year to support culture, enhance business value, solve problems and bring awareness to the field of commercial interior design.

Sponsors of the 2019 IDIE Awards include: Interior Elements, Tarkett, AI Corporate Interiors, KI Furniture, Global Furniture Group, Interiorscapes and Gresham Smith.

Sponsors of the IIDA Alabama Chapter include: Interior Elements, Tarkett, AI Corporate Interiors, Acton Flooring, AMA Lighting, Bentley Mills, Business Interiors, Carpet Specialties, Dekalb Office Alabama, Gallery Services, Innerspace Architectural Interiors, Interface Flor Commercial, Interiorscapes, J&J Flooring Group, Mohawk Group, Patcraft, SESCO Lighting, Shaw Contract, South Cypress and Teknion.

For more information about IIDA-AL, visit www.iida-al.org.