Beau Ciel Releases Plan for Over $2 Million Waterfall, Lagoon and Landscaping To Beau Ciel Tower, Hyatt and Boulevard of the Arts Area.

Business Editors/Real Estate Writers

SARASOTA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 31, 2001

U.S. Assets Group and Beau Ciel, L.L.L.P, the developers of Beau Ciel at Boulevard of the Arts, downtown Sarastota's newest luxury tower, released plans for extensive water features and landscaping to take place at the Beau Ciel Tower, Hyatt Hotel and the surrounding areas along Boulevard of the Arts.

The plan, which calls for more than $2 million in improvements, encompasses the area surrounding the Beau Ciel site, the entire grounds of the Hyatt property, including the pool and entry areas, as well as the frontage along Boulevard of the Arts. Enhancements will include new site lighting around the area, new pavers along the Hyatt's entry and the addition of lush landscaping surrounding the Hyatt and along Boulevard of the Arts. Perhaps the most significant improvement being made is the addition of a lagoon pool and waterfall feature between the Hyatt and the future site of the Beau Ciel Tower. The area surrounding the Hyatt's pool deck will undergo extensive changes to add a series of tropical waterfalls and gardens that will separate the future Beau Ciel Tower from the hotel's activities, but will also provide a connection for Beau Ciel residents to gain access to the Hyatt's amenities if they choose to do so. In addition to landscaping improvements being made to the area surrounding Beau Ciel's site, Beau Ciel has an extensive landscape plan of its own, including the outer deck of the Plaza Club which will offer a heated pool and spa tucked away within a lavishly landscaped deck overlooking the harbor below. Residents will also have direct access to the marina slips adjacent to the Hyatt's property.

"In addition to the visual improvements, we believe this is going to create an exciting environment in terms of boating and water activities for the Hyatt, the adjacent marina and the future residents of Beau Ciel," said Jay Tallman, principal of U.S. Assets Group.

The landscaping plans for the Hyatt and Beau Ciel are being implemented by Bradshaw Gill & Associates. A 37-year old company practicing landscape architecture and land planning, Bradshaw Gill has worked in the private sector focusing on large-scale resorts and luxury high-rise developments. U.S. Assets Group has worked with Bradshaw Gill on past projects, including both en Provence and Vizcaya on Longboat Key. Bradshaw Gill has additionally worked on local projects such as Sarasota's L'Elegance, and L'Ambience and The Sanctuary, both on Longboat Key. Other notable worldwide projects include Palmas del Mar in Puerto Rico, Alkent 2000 in Istanbul, Turkey, and Ritz-Carlton projects in Naples, Coconut Grove and Miami Beach.

"Bradshaw Gill is a talented firm that implements exquisite designs all over the world," said Tallman. "With their help, Beau Ciel and the Hyatt will bring an ambience of incomparable resort-style elegance to Sarasota's downtown."

The landscaping renovations being made to the Hyatt are in addition to extensive improvements recently made or currently in process to elevate the Hyatt to Regency status. Improvements include a recently completed $4.5 million ballroom facility as well as enhancements to all guestrooms and planned renovations for all of the hotel's corridors and common areas.

"When you combine all of Hyatt Sarasota's recently completed construction with other interior renovations taking place and the extensive new landscape and entry work to follow, it will usher in a new era for Sarasota's downtown waterfront," said Charles Githler, general partner of Hyatt, Sarasota.

Located at the end of Boulevard of the Arts, Beau Ciel blends the arts and culture of downtown living with a waterfront resort lifestyle. Residents of Beau Ciel will experience incomparable levels of service and amenities reminiscent of the world's finest cosmopolitan resorts. In addition to valet and concierge services, residents will enjoy full access to Beau Ciel's Plaza Club with an elegant social lounge, private dining and boardroom, card and game room, media room and a fully equipped fitness center with men's and women's locker rooms, steam and sauna as well as massage therapy. Marina slips in the harbor below will provide deep-water boating access to Beau Ciel's resident-boaters.

Beau Ciel's circular building design creates downtown Sarasota's only condominium residences with through-view floorplans capturing dual views of Sarasota Bay on one side and the downtown Sarasota skyline on the other. The spacious floorplans, ranging from approximately 2,300 to more than 7,900 square feet, incorporate details such as high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling walls of glass, and expansive terraces to provide the feeling of living less like a condominium and more like a stand-alone home.

Realtors and interested prospects are invited to visit the Beau Ciel preview center at 500 North Tamiami Trail, or phone [phone] for an appointment.

Principals of U.S. Assets Group are best known for the luxury residential communities of Vizcaya and en Provence on Longboat Key, as well as Windsor and Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club in Vero Beach. Beau Ciel's architectural team of Curts Gaines Hall, the landscape architects of Bradshaw Gill & Associates, as well as the sales team of Michael Saunders & Company, were also part of the en Provence team.