New P300m Hilton hotel set for CBD
Pauline Dikuelo | Friday June 26, 2015 18:04
The 148-roomed hotel, that is expected to take 18 months to build, is a partnership between BPOPF, M3 (Pty) Ltd, Hilton Brand Worldwide and Fleming Asset Management.
The M3 Company has developed the designs of the building while the Fleming Asset Managers coordinated the project, and Wharic Construction Company has won the tender to build the multi-million Pula garden.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, BPOFP acting Chief Executive Officer, Lesedi Moakofhi, said that the project symbolises a turning point in the BPOPF’s investment strategy.
“BPOPF has gone an extra mile in investing in direct property. We continue to ensure that we play a particular focus to investing in Botswana’s economy,” she said.
Moakofhi added that their desire is to see Batswana’s retirement savings meaningfully develop the country and at the same time give a positive return on investment to investors. Hilton Garden Inn is well known by guests around the globe for its upscale amenities.
On her part, Hilton Brand Worldwide Vice President Development, Michael Cooper, said that this opportunity fulfils their strong commitment towards developing the hotel industry.
“Botswana’s Hilton Garden Inn will be the 12th one in the Sub-Saharan Africa. The 11th one was in Swaziland and we intend to have about 50 Hilton gardens by the completion of our pipeline,” Cooper said. Currently Hilton hotels, which has been operating for 90 years is operating in 94 countries in six continents and have 4,300 hotels over different flags.
The Chief Executive Officer of Fleming Asset Management, Peter van Riet Lowe, said that when complete the hotel should set a new standard in the hotel industry in the country.
“We are still waiting for grading from tourism authorities, but our aim is for the hotel to be a five-star facility,” he said.