ERIC CHEONG BIO

Cheong, currently living in Portland, Oregon, trained as an architect and practices as a hospitality developer, interior designer, sailor and outdoor conservationist. He is the principal of North 45 Projects.

With North 45 Projects, Cheong is focusing on developing meaningful projects which support the stewardship and revitalization of historic assets and the surrounding communities. Through this lens design plays a role to bring people closer to history and nature. He is currently engrossed in the ongoing refurbishment of an 111 year old log cabin inn on the shores of Penn Cove, Whidbey Island, WA and multiple hospitality and cultural assets in historic Pioneertown, CA. Near recently he has helped restore a 1920’s Nova Scotia cod fishing schooner into a world class on-the-water seafood restaurant and bar, named Grand Banks. As well developed a unique seaside outdoor dining destination on a historic naval base in New York City, called Island Oyster. Both these projects are not only world class dining destinations, but work to support maritime history, culture and ecology.

Before starting North 45 Projects, Cheong worked with Ace Hotel Group as Atelier Director at Atelier Ace in Portland (2011–2013) and more recently as the Creative Director of Building (2013–2016) where he oversaw the Atelier’s creative services staff in addition to managing the day-to-day actions of Ace’s in-house architecture and interior design teams. His work at Atelier Ace ranged from real estate development, hospitality concept and planning to the successful completion of hotel projects. He worked closely in the concept, construction, opening and on-going property improvements of Ace Los Angeles, Ace Pittsburgh, Ace London and Ace New Orleans. Along with the Ace Hotel Group partners, he managed and collaborated with the in-house branding, development, operations and technical services team on nearly a dozen hospitality projects in the works around world with new property openings slated for 2017 to 2019. Prior to his work at Atelier Ace, Cheong served as Vice President for Roman and Williams in New York City (2005–2010), where he managed their studio as well as oversaw interior design and execution of all hospitality, food and beverage and retail projects. Notable projects he had a direct involvement in included Jean Nouvel’s 40 Mercer condominium project, the Standard Hotel Highline and Ace Hotel New York. Cheong received his Bachelor’s of Science in Architecture from Georgia Tech in 1999 and his Master’s Degree in Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture in 2005. Cheong has worked for notable design studios in Paris, New York and Los Angeles.