Citrus Leisure PLC, formerly Hotel Reefcomber PLC, has marked its name change with an announcement to build a four star resort in Kalpitiya following the acquisition of a 78 acre land, "Santhoduwa-Kalpitiya". The total investment in the land amounted to Rs. 122.18 million. The acquisition is the company's second, following a change in management earlier this year.
The proposed resort will comprise 150 rooms and 28 water front villas. The 28 water front villas will be built facing a 50 meter-wide waterway which cuts through the land and connects at the end to the sea.
These exclusive water villas will have individual gondolas providing the occupants access to the sea. In a unique proposition, the villas will be made available to local and
foreign high net worth individuals on the basis of a 99-year lease. Citrus Leisure will operate the villas as part of the hotel with the concurrence of their owners, managing and marketing them accordingly.The "Santhoduwa-Kalpitiya" site is ideally placed in close proximity to the whale- and dolphin-watching sites in the seas off Kalpitiya and the magnificent Wilpattu national park, home to the elephant and the elusive Ceylon leopard. The company believes the proposed resort will cater to the growing demand for suitable star class accommodation along the North West coast of Sri Lanka.
Chairman of Citrus Leisure PLC, tourism-veteran Prema Cooray said, "Our decision to enter Kalpitiya is a strategic one that considers the area's vast untapped potential to become a tourist hotspot. Kalpitiya is one of the zones being targeted in the government's new vision for tourism and Citrus Leisure PLC is excited to be a fla
gbearer in the emergence of Destination Kalpitiya."Renowned architect Murad Ismail has come on board to design the resort, bringing with him his extensive experience in designing world-class properties, including the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel in the Maldives.
The purchase of the "Santhoduwa-Kalpitiya" land is the company's second major acquisition following its purchase of a 7.2 acre beach property in Waskaduwa, where construction will begin in early 2011 on a 150 roomed 4-star property.
Related Info:
Ippantivu and Velli Islands Leased under Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort Project (KITRP) for Five Star Resorts
It's sad our local talents are well hidden sometimes by design - no pun intended- as some of our bright young architects actively keep themselves away from the limelight.
ReplyDeleteMICD Associates : Architect Firm founded by Murad Ismail and Channa Daswatte; both of them ably continue Geoffrey Bawa tradition.
http://www.micda.com/
On Murad Ismail: "Simply Minimalist"
http://sundaytimes.lk/061217/Plus/000_pls.html
"Sri Lankan architects eying Indian tourism boom"
http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?nid=605557246
That's correct. Lots of Sri Lankan firms have a habit of looking outside while foreign firms have placed their trust in Sri Lankan professionals.
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