NJ firm opens division for entertainment related facilities

Real Estate Weekly, Oct 28, 1998

CUH2A Inc., the Princeton, NJ-based architecture, engineering and planning firm, has formed CUH2A Entertainment, an entity devoted to the design of entertainment and related facilities. The new division is an extension of CUH2A's continued diversification of its practice to include theme parks, hotels and resorts, themed retail stores and restaurants.

CUH2A Entertainment offers a comprehensive list of services for every level of the design process, combined with the know-how of entertainment industry experts.

The president of CUH2A Entertainment is George H. Ladyman, Jr., the former vice president of Creative Design and Development at Six Flags Theme Parks, a Time Warner Entertainment Company. In his former position, he managed the design, development and implementation of master plans, rides, shows and architecture for all Six Flags Theme Parks.

Ladyman brings to CUH2A Entertainment more than a decade of experience in entertainment design and marketing. In his new role, Ladyman will interface with clients, direct business development, as well as oversee the design of themed facilities and attractions.

"I have been fortunate to have worked in many aspects of the entertainment industry," said Ladyman. "CUH2A Entertainment's strength is its range of in-house capabilities, combined with over 35 years of experience with both small and large-scale projects."

Ladyman's project experience includes the Gotham City Backlot, Batman the Ride, and most recently, the 1998 Front Mall expansion of Six Flags Over Georgia. He also directed the design of the Southwest Territory at SFOG, the largest expansion of an existing Six Flags Theme Park. Ladyman's attraction, architecture and product designs have been featured in various national and international publications such as Power Boat and Motor Yacht, Car Styling, Parkworld, Funworld, and USA Today, as well as on The Discovery Channel and Bloomberg Television.

In addition to entertainment architecture and design, Ladyman has done marketing and technical work for Warner Bros. He has worked with most of Warner Bros. Divisions, including WB Films, De Comics, HBO, Cartoon Network, New Line Cinema and WB Consumer Products. He has maintained working relationships with major ride manufacturers, specialty fabricators and consultants worldwide. Ladyman is the executive producer of several ride films, including Space Shuttle America Ride: The Next Century; and The Right Stuff: Mach One Adventure.

"As President of CUH2A Entertainment, my initial activities will be focused on client relations and project development. My background in overseeing design activities for several theme parks will be extremely helpful in interfacing with clients," said Ladyman. "Because of my past experience, I have developed a keen awareness of how things work in the entertainment industry. Armed with this insight, CUH2A Entertainment will be one step ahead in terms of understanding and meeting the needs of our clients."

Ladyman holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Arkansas; a degree in industrial design from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA; and is completing a Masters of Business Administration at Columbia University.

"Everyone at CUH2A is very excited about this new endeavor," said Robert G. Heilig, FASLA, chairman of CUH2A Entertainment. "CUH2A Entertainment offers clients the best of both worlds: in-house technical and engineering resources and large-scale project coordination with the attention to design often associated with a specialized theming design firm. Because we offer a full range of services, our clients can utilize our in-house designers, engineers, lighting specialists, landscape architects and other services to provide a consistent theme at every level for projects."

"The same principles used in designing corporate campuses are used in theme park design," Heilig added. "CUH2A offers in-depth knowledge of master planning and landscape design, pedestrian access and egress, parking facilities, and development of exterior spaces that provide variety and character to a site."

CUH2A's past theme-related projects include the design of the Looney Tunes Shoppe, Skull Mountain Ride and Bugs Bunnyland at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ. In Langhorne, PA, CUH2A is designing the conversion of a former ski shop into office spaces for Sesame Place, a Busch Entertainment theme park.

The firm also designed the master plan for a 200 acre Six Flag Theme Park in New England.