CAPE TOWN - The Strand Hotel was recently awarded the Best Hotel Development accolade in the 2017 Africa Property Investment (API) Awards.
The Hotel was praised for its innovative design and outstanding achievements in services. The awards were announced during the API Summit & Expo which took place at the Sandton Convention Centre last week.
The API Awards was aimed at providing a distinguished platform for developers, suppliers and owners in the African real estate industry and globally.
The Summit allowed for the best projects and services across sub-Saharan Africa to be showcased.
The API Awards was hosted for the first time, yet it is expected to grow significantly given the calibre of entries.
The organisers anticipate that the API Awards will become Africa's premier real estate competition.
The Strand Hotel which is located in Namibia's seaside resort of Swakopmund, has become a landmark and esteemed holiday destination.
The surrounding are boasts a beach location and is close to the town's amenities.
O & L Leisure is the owner of the popular hotel which was developed by Mirage Developments and Leisure (Pty), of which the hotel's construction was completed in 2015.
The hotels Rational Fire and piped services: gas/plumbing and drainage, mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning was designed by WSP in Africa.
“The main objectives of the system’s design was to contribute towards sustainable development by means of utilising resource efficiency in the design, careful selection of equipment that can withstand the harsh corrosive environs and provide robust reliable operation. Plant and materials were also selected of a suitable quality to last for a design life span of between 20- and 25-years, without major refurbishment during this period.” said Peter Hodgkinson, Managing Director, WSP, Building Services, in Africa.
“We add value to the projects we work on by listening carefully to our clients and ensuring that we meet their requirements and the needs of building occupants, in addition to delivering buildings that are safe, smart and sustainable well into the future", adds Hodgkinson.
The project entailed the development of a 4-Star Hotel with three food beverage facilities to the Hotel’s public areas.
The total size of the project was 11 630m2, consisting of 87 luxury suites and 28 upmarket apartments, 610m2 promenade retail space, more than 1000m2 of conference, business and banqueting facilities as well as 1000m2 of health and spa facilities and a restaurant.
According to API, the design of the hotel met the requirements of the local heritage council and responds to the existing indigenous landscape – through a functional and contemporary design approach that provides a unique aesthetic.
“We feel incredibly fortunate and proud to have been involved in this project – and are thrilled by the commendations that it has received. Through the collective efforts of all the partners on this project, the Strand Hotel offers iconic views and experiences, where every aspect of the hotel has been developed in line with international 4-Star standards – setting the benchmark against which all hotels and lodges in Namibia are measured,” concludes Hodgkinson.
- BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE