The Pearl of Africa Hotel Kampala is a hotel in Kampala, the capital and largest city of Uganda. The building, under development since 2006, was completed in June 2017, and was opened on 1 October 2017.
Video The Pearl of Africa Hotel Kampala
Location
The hotel is located in Central Kampala on Nakasero Hill. The building stands on a 14 acres (5.7 ha) site that was previously occupied by the state's television stations. The elevation of the site is approximately 1,240 metres (4,070 ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest points in the city.
Maps The Pearl of Africa Hotel Kampala
Overview
Aya Investments Limited, a subsidiary of the Aya Group, has been working on the 24-story building since 2006. Because of cash shortages and administrative difficulties, the hotel took much longer to complete, with many missed deadlines and multiple postponements of the opening date. Since completion, it is the tallest completed building in the city, at 23 storeys and about 90 metres (300 ft) in height. The building was originally developed under the Hilton Hotels brand. However, when the owners of the hotel failed to reach a licensing agreement with Hilton, the latter signed up with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group in January 2017.
Construction costs
As of April 2012, the total construction bill for the property was estimated at about US$150 million (UGX:350 billion), according to Aya Group Chairman Mohammed Hamid. In September 2017, the New Vision (newspaper) reported that the Aya Group had invested USh1.75 trillion (US$300 million), into this project.
Other developments
In February 2011, Mise Design Group LLC., based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, was awarded the contract to design the food and beverage services of the hotel. Mise will design the hotel's eight dining facilities, including a sports bar, lobby lounge and bar, banquet facility, bakery, staff canteen, pool bar, coffee shop, and a specialty restaurant. In June 2013, the Aya Group appointed FEBC International, a global hospitality, procurement, and project management company, to act as "Procurement Management Consultant for Operating Supplies and Equipment" (OS&E) services for the hotel. In December 2013, the Hilton Hotels & Resorts denied rumors that they had pulled out of the deal with the Aya Group due to construction delays. They instead reiterated that they are working closely with the owners to complete the construction and open the franchise to the public.
New partners
In September 2017, one month before the grand opening, the New Vision (newspaper) reported that the Aya Group, who own the hotel, had contracted with the Sovereign Hotels Group, a South Africa - based hotel management company, for the latter to manage the business.
See also
- Kampala Capital City Authority
- Kampala Serena Hotel
- List of tallest buildings in Kampala
References
External links
- Hotel Website
- Fireworks at Pearl of Africa Hotel Grand Opening
- Aya Group Website
0 Comments