Martin Aquatic Design & Engineering, a world-class aquatic firm, has appointed Alessandro Orio as its new vice president for Blue Mar Basins. In this role, he will oversee major developments using the company’s patent-pending technology for multi-acre aquatic amenities. The announcement follows several exciting water park openings such as the Island Waterpark at Showboat Hotel, for which Martin Aquatic did the interior work.
This most recent hire highlights Martin Aquatic’s impressive growth over the last few years as major projects are on the horizon, such as the Surf ATL surf park development and a number of new vacation destinations branded with the most recognisable name in sports: Sports Illustrated Resorts.
Considerable experience
Orio joins Martin Aquatic from Myrtha Pools USA, where he acquired more than ten years of expertise in aquatic project management and pool construction in the resort and hospitality industries.
“Having worked with Alessandro as a client for so many years, we knew his understanding of this industry would make him the right fit for leading the development of large-scale aquatic projects,” says Josh Martin, president & creative director of Martin Aquatic. “It is perfect timing for him to join Martin Aquatic as the first of many Blue Mar Basins sites start moving into the construction stage.”
Orio will leverage his knowledge of design and operations to develop popular locations that make use of Blue Mar Basins technology, such as the Thermal Beach Club project in Coachella Valley, which includes a 20-acre surfable lake.
Many of Martin Aquatic’s significant Blue Mar Basins projects remain confidential due to their considerable scale. Surf ATL, a multi-phased property centred on a customised wave powered by Endless Surf, is one of the most recent to announce its plans. With features that allow surfers of every skill level to appreciate the sport more deeply, Surf ATL, a proposed development west of Atlanta, aims to unite and strengthen the region’s surf community. Martin Aquatic is acting as the aquatic consultant and designer, using its Blue Mar Basins technology to help with design, layout, and operating elements.
“We have loved helping the Surf ATL leadership transform their vision into a tangible site design that welcomes surfers of every level while also offering fun aquatic amenities to their families,” says Martin. “The passion that they have for fostering a love of surfing within the community is so contagious, and we are incredibly grateful to be a part of this project that will leave a lasting impact on inland surf culture.”
Sports Illustrated project
Martin Aquatic is also hard at work on a significant project that celebrates surf and all other sports. Martin Aquatic has been hired by Sports Illustrated Hotels & Resorts to develop an Experience Park idea that embodies both the adventurous spirit of sports competition and the company’s iconic media brand.
The project, which is being developed for a soon-to-be-announced location, has already begun employing a site design that combines both casual and extreme waterpark activities with on-land entertainment. Additionally, sports themes are added to every amenity, making the entire visitor experience gamified.
“Working with the team at Sports Illustrated Resorts has allowed us to showcase our creative design capabilities in new ways,” adds Martin. “The mix of waterpark attractions and dry land adventures has combined for what will be an iconic vacation experience. It’s just another example of how we are focused on developing world-class Aquatic Leisure Destinations.”
Along with this first property, Martin Aquatic has been selected to help develop a number of other unique Sports Illustrated Resort property locations around the country.
This year, the firm was listed as one of the Top 100 Best Companies to Work For by the statewide business publication, Florida Trend magazine, for the fourth year.
Last year, Martin Aquatic’s work at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort of Naples in Florida, US, was recognized with a 2022 Dream Designs Award.
