Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Brice Ornstein.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have been a hotel designer all my professional life. I started with the Saunders Family which owned three of the historic properties in Boston, and worked for several other firms before starting JBrice Design.
Founded in 1989, J/Brice Design International, Inc. (www.jbricedesign.com) is a global design firm, having directed projects in excess of $5 Billion USD. The firm’s most recent signature engagements worldwide include the fabled HMS Queen Mary, 1934 luxury ocean liner that is one of North America’s most popular tourist destinations, the iconic urban landmark The Helmsley Hotel in New York City, and The Royal Tulip Alexandria, opened June 2013, and the Jeddah Crown Plaza, scheduled to open 2017.
J/Brice Design has been a Certified Interior Design Giant since 1993, and Architectural Giant since 1995, and has consistently ranked among the leading interior design firms worldwide, specializing in interiors for the hospitality industry. Recently named Top Interior Design Firm of The Year 2016 by NEWH, the nation’s largest professional hospitality organization, JBrice has also been identified as one of the Top Ten Fastest Growing Design Firms nationwide by Interior Design Magazine twice, in both 2000 and 2008. Its award winning staff has over 220 hotel and restaurant projects to its credit, as well as a diverse portfolio of corporate and residential interiors. Its international experience lends diversity to its design perspective and implementation with respect to regional, cultural, operational and brand parameters. JBrice has also been recognized for its work with distinctions such as Best Upscale Hotel Design of the Year (The Westminster), Hotel of The Year (Wyndham) Intercontinental Hotel Group Renovation of the Year (The Holiday Inn Mart Plaza) Best Luxury Suite (Hilton Boston Back Bay), Most Ambient Hotel Lobby (Westin Nova Scotian) and Best Guestroom (The Muse).
J/Brice Design International, Inc. is a preferred design group for Hilton Hotels – inclusive of Hilton, Doubletree and Hampton Inn; Marriott International – inclusive of Marriott Hotels, Ritz Carlton, Renaissance, and Marriott Courtyards, Starwood Hotels – inclusive of Sheraton, Westin, and Four Points, Intercontinental Hotel Group inclusive of Intercontinental Hotels, Holiday Inns Worldwide, and Crown Plaza, Hyatt Hotel Corporation inclusive of all brands, and Wyndham Worldwide Properties. International credentials include work for TAJ Hotels, Kempenski, Royal Tulip, and boutique properties in Dubai, UAE, Qatar, and The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
I grew up in New York and graduated from Brandeis University with continued studies at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. I am a frequent guest lecturer throughout the Middle East, Europe and North America. I was the first American named key note speaker of the Kingdom Hotel Expansion and Investment World Summit in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2009. I have twice been a featured speaker at Concepts Middle East in Doha, Qatar, as well as in Interior Design & Construction India, and multiple times at Heimtextil, the world’s largest international commercial textile trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany. Other speaking engagements include lectures at multiple industry conferences, including HD Expo, HD Boutique, HOTEC USA, Asia and Europe, and Hospitality Match USA, and Europe. I coined the phrase “Cultural Spy” to define my approach to successful design in the 21st Century, have been calling for redefining hotel design as hotel fashion to emphasize his guest-centric rather than property-centric design philosophy and approach to branding. My approach, now largely embraced by the industry, results in interiors that resonate with the attitudes and mores of the current marketplace, impart a memorable guest experiences, build brand equity and contribute directly to profits.
Regarded for transforming hotel design work, I have been a contributing editor to Hotel Executive Magazine, and featured in Boutique Design Magazine, Hospitality Design, Lodging and Hospitality, Gulf Interiors, Byouteit Magazine, Hotel Business, The Commercial Observer, Young Hotelier, The Improper Bostonian, and Scene Magazine, who named me one of Boston’s 12 Most Influential People in 2005. I am on the Board of Advisers at the Prestigious New York School of Interior Design, a Visiting Critic at The Boston Architectural Center and The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and an Allied Member of the American Society of Interior Designers. In 2009 I was called upon by my colleagues to be a Judge for the annual Hotel World Platinum Circle Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, and in 2011 I was a Judge for Boutique Design Global Hotel Design Awards.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Ouch… 30 years not all smooth! Three recessions in that time taught me a lot about business, people, my abilities (strengths and weaknesses) and priorities in life both personal and professional. Far too much to type!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Much of this was included in earlier question of yours, but I’m most proud of the character of JBrice. We are known to be exceptionally creative, responsible, and honorable. The average tenure of an employee at JBrice is well over 10 years.., with several over 20! WE take our responsibilities very seriously, and yet we never lose sight of the fact that work should be fun. (We are known to be a little irreverent as well)
I am particularly proud of the many creative individuals whom I have played in part in their professional development, advancing the careers of so many who have go one to great things. When we were awarded top interior design firm of the year, dozens came out to celebrate. Many, if not most, expressed sincere thanks for my part in mentoring their careers, it was a magical evening.
What were you like growing up?
Brash. Funny. Confident. Loyal. Creative. Stubborn. Appealing. Troublemaker. Theatrical. Energetic
I loved having and cultivating new friendships, and adventure, and still do.
Contact Info:
- Address: www.jbricedesign.com
- Website: www.jbricedesign.com
- Phone: 617-695-9456
- Email: jeff@jbricedesign.com
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
