eBusiness Weekly
Business Writer
The National Social Security Authority has availed a financial facility running into millions for the construction of Belgian-American hotel group Carlson Rezidor’s Radisson Blu Hotel in Harare.
The funding will, on completion, be converted into a 25 percent equity in the business, according to sources close to the development. CBZ Holdings, through its wholly owned asset management subsidiary Datvest, has also been linked to a similar deal.
The hotel spearheaded by local company, Streamwalk will feature 245 rooms and will be situated alongside the Chapman Golf Club. The Radisson Blu Hotel Harare is scheduled to open in 2019.
NSSA sources this week confirmed developments were at an advanced stage with significant progress having been made on the fundraising for the Radisson Blu Hotel construction.
NSSA general manager Liz Chitiga could not be drawn to comment, referring all questions to investments manager Mr Hebert Hungwe.
“On the Radisson Blu issue, Mr Hungwe is the guy who has been handling the issue so contact him for comment,” said Mrs Chitiga. NSSA chairman Robin Vela said there might be discussions taking place but the issue has not yet been tabled before the authority’s investments committee.
“The issue has not been put before the investments committee if there has been some communication then that means no concrete decision has been made,” said Mr Vela. The hotel will have 40 long stay residences, an all-day restaurant, a specialty restaurant and cocktail lounge, a pool bar and grill, and a large terrace, all with views across the golf course.
There are also plans for meeting and event spaces. An Amani Spa with a private gym will be complemented by two swimming pools and a kids’ club.
The hospitality opened five Radisson Blu hotels in the first six months of 2016 and signed four new hotels including first Quorvus Collection in Africa.
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group in 2016 opened five Radisson Blu properties — Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi Upper Hill in Kenya (271 rooms), Radisson Blu Hotel, Marrakech Carré Eden in Morocco (198 rooms), Radisson Blu Residence with 187 luxury hotel apartments in Maputo, Mozambique (group’s first residence concept in Africa), Radisson Blu Hotel Abidjan Airport Ivory Coast (261 rooms) and West Africa’s tallest hotel and Radisson Blu Hotel 2 Février in Lomé (320 rooms).
