A Journey Through Time – WATG80

Eighty years ago, on the sun-kissed shores of Honolulu, WATG began as a dream—a vision to create spaces where people could find wonder, connection, and a sense of belonging. Born of Hawaii’s lush landscapes and the warmth of its people, our journey has been one of artistry, innovation, and a deep respect for the stories held within each place we touch.

This year, we pause to reflect, to celebrate the moments and milestones that have defined us, and to look forward with the same spirit of curiosity and care that first brought us here.

Our story begins in 1945, when George “Pete” Wimberly and Howard Cook founded Wimberly and Cook in Honolulu, inspired by the beauty of Hawaii and the richness of its traditions. For Pete, architecture was never just about buildings; it was about creating harmony—designs that felt like they had always belonged, shaped by the land and its stories.

That philosophy came to life with our first hospitality project in 1946: the restoration of the iconic Royal Hawaiian Resort. It was a project that blended reverence for the past with an eye to the future, setting the tone for the decades to come.

By the late 1950s, WATG was venturing beyond Hawaii, bringing our ethos of cultural authenticity to the world. In 1961, our designs for Hotel Bora Bora reimagined what a resort could be, introducing the world to overwater bungalows—an idea so simple, yet so transformative, it became a new symbol of luxury.

In 1979, we were honored with the Aga Khan Award for Tanjong Jara Resort in Malaysia, a project that celebrated traditional craftsmanship while embracing the future. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is given every three years to projects that set new standards of excellence in architecture, planning practices, historic preservation and landscape architecture.

Throughout our journey, we have been shaped by the Hawaiian concept of Ohana—a word that means family but holds so much more. Ohana is about connection, collaboration, and community. It’s a way of working and living that has informed everything we do, from the way we design to the relationships we build.

Ohana isn’t just about our team; it’s about our clients, our partners, and the communities we serve. Together, we craft spaces that are not only beautiful but meaningful, designs that invite people to gather, to rest, to dream.

Over the years, our horizons expanded, yet our commitment to authenticity and the transformative power of design remained unwavering. In 1981, the company established a presence in Newport Beach, California, eventually consolidating four California offices into a single location in Irvine by 2006. As our global reach broadened, we opened offices in London (1990), Singapore (1997), and Shanghai (2018). In 2011, we branded our interior design service Wimberly Interiors, which included the opening of a New York office. The expansion continued with the launch of WATG and Wimberly Interiors in Downtown Los Angeles in 2015.

In 2023, our Irvine team relocated to the innovative Flight campus in Tustin, reflecting our commitment to dynamic, forward-thinking workspaces. The momentum carried into 2024, a landmark year for our growth. We opened a new Dallas office to better serve the Sunbelt region and acquired SOSH Architects, establishing an Atlantic City office dedicated to gaming and entertainment design.

Each new chapter was a chance to learn, to listen, to immerse ourselves in the cultures and landscapes of the places we were privileged to touch. Whether it was creating serene retreats in Southeast Asia or bold urban icons in Las Vegas, we sought to honor the spirit of each place, blending modern luxury with timeless principles.

Across eight decades, our work has been guided by a simple truth: great design is about more than aesthetics. It’s about crafting spaces that resonate with people—places where they can find joy, connection, and inspiration.

From the Venetian in Las Vegas to the tranquil oases of the Maldives, every WATG project is a testament to the power of thoughtful design. These are not just destinations but experiences—moments in time where guests can pause, breathe, and feel the beauty of the world around them.

As we celebrate 80 years of creating places that inspire, we honor the foundations that brought us here: the Spirit of Ohana, and the belief that design can make the world a better, more connected place.

The years ahead hold new challenges and possibilities, but our commitment remains unchanged. We will continue to craft spaces that celebrate the richness of the earth and the cultures that call it home, blending artistry, innovation, and care to create designs that endure.

To all who have walked this path with us—our clients, partners, and communities—we thank you for your trust and inspiration. Let’s celebrate together as we look to the future, honoring 80 years of timeless design and dreaming of what’s yet to come.