After the city of Miami and architect Frank Gehry failed to come to an agreement over terms for completing the New World Symphony project, the city has hired Dutch architect West 8 to complete the job. West 8, which beat out Hargreaves Associates, will design the project’s final component - a $13 million park that is to front the Gehry- designed concert hall.

In addition to serving as a grand entrance to the concert hall, the 2.5- acre Lincoln Park will also provide an outdoor venue for concerts and expansive green spaces. As the concert hall is now under construction and scheduled for completion in January 2011, West 8 will have to begin work on the park immediately and compress into 6 months a design and approvals process that typically takes up to 18.

West 8, which is based in Rotterdam, will run the project out its New York office.

Sharon McHugh
US Correspondent