http://gbandpartners.com/Cp/Items/Pictures/36/African%20Union%20Grand%20Hotel.jpg


http://gbandpartners.com/ProjectDetails.asp?ItemID=36

http://uploadpic.org/storage/originals/thumb_e4d92snnj282k2ff3e84j2ff3s.jpg

more money was put on the hotel than the HQ, pretty odd

wow, I never seen the renderings before. good find

Great find! Looks pretty good, though a bit austere.

Niiiice! I like the similarities between the hotel and the HQ.

Yonii,...I was just gonna say that!!

Terex,

I have a DVD on this hotel which came out a couple of years ago,....the hotel was much bigger on the DVD so I guess they did some revising on it. At any rate, It is a beutiful building!!

The Hotel cost more than the AU building because the AU building was built for free. The Chinese paid for it :)

P.S. If I find that DVD, I'll try to post it.

http://www.midrocfoundation.com/images/compprojpic/p12.jpg

http://www.midrocfoundation.com/images/compprojpic/p12.jpg
Please don't tell me this is a recent picture!? This is what the place looked like exactly a year ago! Ahhhh ... Midroc!

AM2

I suspect this might be an old picture. I've heard its up to the second floor or so by now.

Terex,


The Hotel cost more than the AU building because the AU building was built for free. The Chinese paid for it :)



yes but the budget for the HQ was 150 million USD while the hotel 200 million USD.

^^ Yeah, but you're really comparing apples and oranges here. A luxury hotel will definetely cost more than an office building.

AM2


Well technically, I tend to agree with Tarrex that a 28 story building should have cost much more than the 14 story hotel. But the Cinese are super efficient I guess.

Skyliner123,

I'll have to disagree with you. If costs were measured by stories, the White house would be dirt cheap.

But as a structural engineer, I think AM2's judgment is probably the most sound here.

Hersh,

The white house is roughly 200 years old therefore a historical artifat. It is the centimental value that makes it not only 'expensive' but even priceless. However, I guarantee you that an exact replica can be built for a couple of milions only.

AM2


Well technically, I tend to agree with Tarrex that a 28 story building should have cost much more than the 14 story hotel. But the Cinese are super efficient I guess.

or super cheap

Hersh,

The white house is roughly 200 years old therefore a historical artifat. It is the centimental value that makes it not only 'expensive' but even priceless. However, I guarantee you that an exact replica can be built for a couple of milions only.

:nuts:

A couple million :lol: You're getting more ridiculous dude.

I'm in a house worth a "couple million" dollars right now. Guess how much it was built for.

Finally. AU grand hotel can be seen in this pic.....it looks like its built up to 2nd or 3rd floor
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smiller555/5447752008/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/smiller555/5447752008/sizes/l/in/photostream/

^^ smiller555 @flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/5447752008_afb41fa9ac_b.jpg

^^ nice, good catch skyliner :cheers:

Those shacks need to be destroyed.

Those shacks need to be destroyed.

:lol: You sound like a Stalinist.

:lol: You sound like a Stalinist.

Remember, these guys getting it done used to be Stalinists! :lol: I'm really liking the look of this project, simple and modern.

:lol: You sound like a Stalinist.

If Chinese-style rapid development and attention to detail is Stalinist, then heck yes! :lol:

Skyliner123,

I'll have to disagree with you. If costs were measured by stories, the White house would be dirt cheap.

But as a structural engineer, I think AM2's judgment is probably the most sound here.

But wouldn't the costs of all the equipment, fitting for delegates, plenary chambers, security provisions, and all the other stuff befitting of an intergovernmental union's headquarters make the the HQ more expensive?

Wonder if some foreign group will operate the hotel.

I thought I heard Alamoudi want to give the Hotel a different name. Is it still called African Union Hotel?

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/227/africaunionhotel.jpg

Taking some liberties with the foreground I see. I wished it was as neat and green as they showed it to be.

http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/2088/1289063811m.jpg

Taking some liberties with the foreground I see. I wished it was as neat and green as they showed it to be.

Naw, this is the work of an Architect, Joseph Haddad, on a cg architecture forum. His works are listed HERE (http://forums.cgarchitect.com/member.php?u=75348&tab=gallery)

And the image Roha posted comes from here: http://forums.cgarchitect.com/63127-african-union-hotel.html

I see similar themes with the AU building. Looks like they might complement each other, or rather the hotel will complement the office tower

^^Dang! I was going to say that, the stepped top and curve of the tower and that of the hotel.

And Hersh, I'll say he took some liberties, as the real foreground looks like this:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/5447752008_afb41fa9ac_b.jpg

I see similar themes with the AU building. Looks like they might complement each other, or rather the hotel will complement the office tower

True. Things like the concave shape and the cascading structure...yeah.

Things like the concave shape and the cascading structure...yeah.

Very clever on part of the architect. Even if I had not known before, I could have told you that the architect was not Ethiopian. :ohno:

Very clever on part of the architect. Even if I had not known before, I could have told you that the architect was not Ethiopian. :ohno:

Indeed. We both, unfortunately, know the incompetency that comes with being an Ethiopian architect.

Indeed. We both, unfortunately, know the incompetency that comes with being an Ethiopian architect.

The architect don't see anything that inspire them to design better in that city, they should go to Dubai to have a better understanding where the rest of the world is right now.

The architect don't see anything that inspire them to design better in that city, they should go to Dubai to have a better understanding where the rest of the world is right now.
You've got a point, but I'm not sure Addis should set Dubai as its goal. Dubai is a city without a soul. There are other cities we can try to emulate ... european cities come to mind.

You ppl realize that cost is an issue with most Ethiopian projects?

You ppl realize that cost is an issue with most Ethiopian projects?

Lack of imagination too.

You ppl realize that cost is an issue with most Ethiopian projects?

As it turns out, you don't really need money to be artistic or imaginative.

As it turns out, you don't really need money to be artistic or imaginative.

Very true. This doesn't take much imagination to produce:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4927040531_3e9a75529f_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4912293672_2c03a1a688_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4912293730_13cbf5e592_z.jpg

^^ smiller555 @flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/5447752008_afb41fa9ac_b.jpg

these squatter houses infront will need to be demolised and people relocated.

http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/News/midroc-requests-additional-plot-for-au-hotel-project.html

MIDROC requests additional plot for AU hotel project .

Saturday, 06 August 2011 08:17 By WUDINEH ZENEBE Hits: 404 .


.

MIDROC Ethiopia Project Office (MEPO) has requested the Addis Ababa City Administration for an additional 17,000 sq.m. plot of land for the AU five-star hotel project it is undertaking near the headquarters of the Union. The request indicated that the current site of the project does not have enough space for building parking lots and security area, hence the need for additional plot.

The city administration, which accepted the request, has submitted the application to the city’s lease board via the city’s land administration and construction permit authority.

Haile said that he had discussed the issue with the city administration officials and the administration had in principle accepted the request.

The hotel is meant to accommodate 54 African heads of state and, as such, requires a wider security area and comfortable parking lots, according to Haile Assegide, director general of Derba MIDROC, the company which oversees the implementation of the project.

The AU had earlier on planned to construct and own the hotel along with the new headquarters being built with a projected investment outlay of USD 150 million.

However, MIDROC came up with a new idea to construct and manage the hotel, which won a nod from the Union.

MIDROC has thus received the 90,000 sq.m. lease free land issued by the city administration to AU and launched the ground breaking in 2008. However, the company is just getting the project up from the ground when the project was supposed to be completed one year ago according to the schedule.

MEPO is pleased to get the additional land it requested lease free while it is also willing to pay for it if the administration decided to do so, according to Haile.

The hotel project is deemed important as there is always shortage of lodging whenever there are international events taking place in the city.

The city administration has lost some USD 40 million in lease revenue when it provided the 11.3 ha land for the hotel and headquarters project of the AU.

MEPO is projected to invest some 1.5 billion birr in the hotel project.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/5447752008_afb41fa9ac_b.jpg

Does anyone else see a sad irony in this picture? Behind what looks to be a shanty area is the building of the AU hotel in the background, which will largely be constructed for vanity purposes. Looks tragic to me.

For whatever purpose, the AU meetings bring a lot of $$$ to the local economy. The shanty areas around the city is being demolished, its just a matter of time before this one dissapears as well.

I see your point, Janub, but realize many people who live in these shanties are not necessarily poor, but rather priced out of decent homes by inflation. I've seen it firsthand.

I see your point, Janub, but realize many people who live in these shanties are not necessarily poor, but rather priced out of decent homes by inflation. I've seen it firsthand.

That's also true. There are definitely very poor people in the slums (and they are the majority, obviously) but there are also a lot of people who really should be able to afford decent housing if the supply side was catering to them instead of the luxury market.
I also knew people who are like that Simfan; teachers, secretaries, etc - basically the middle class - living in slums because there's absolutely no other housing available.

I also knew people who are like that Simfan; teachers, secretaries, etc -basically the middle class - living in slums because there's absolutely no other housing available.

Same phenomenon in Djibouti as well :ohno:

I see your point, Janub, but realize many people who live in these shanties are not necessarily poor, but rather priced out of decent homes by inflation. I've seen it firsthand.
^^
Notice also - those mud houses are painted with every color avilable on planet earth (United Colors of Benetton)....why paint a mud house anyways? WHY? waste of money - I say!

I don't know why housing is such a huge problem, I hear of middle class people living in slums all over the developing world - but in Somalia its the cheapest thing imaginable. People often have great homes (for their income), but not much else. Everyone in Somalia lives in houses like the ones below (except IDPs unfortunately but that's a special case), historically slums are non-existent in Somalia. This could likely be that space is abundant in the country and the land to build property is also cheap as a result, my best guess. They aren't that much better than shanties in Addis Ababa but the life quality in the units is much better than the average slum/shanty because of their are no landlords and individual owners are free to upgrade and customize their units as they wish.


http://images.ookaboo.com/photo/m/Badhan_overview_m.jpg

I don't know why housing is such a huge problem, I hear of middle class people living in slums all over the developing world - but in Somalia its the cheapest thing imaginable. People often have great homes (for their income), but not much else. Everyone in Somalia lives in houses like the ones below (except IDPs unfortunately but that's a special case), historically slums are non-existent in Somalia. This could likely be that space is abundant in the country and the land to build property is also cheap as a result, my best guess.

I have to agree with you man!!

The current bullet perforated & butchered city of Mogadishu / Somalia is beautiful than the current city of Addis or any other African city to that matter.

Everyone in Somalia lives in houses like the ones below

http://images.ookaboo.com/photo/m/Badhan_overview_m.jpg
That's not true, especially outside larger cities. But it's considerably less slums/huts in Somalia. I'm guessing a relatively low population in combination with a huge diaspora that send money back has a lot to do with it. The potential Somalia has with good governance is huge.

First was the most beautiful women and the most handsome men in the world...now is one of the most beautiful cities!!!!! woooow! Ethiopia Rocks!!!!

First was the most beautiful women and the most handsome men in the world...now is one of the most beautiful cities!!!!! woooow! Ethiopia Rocks!!!!

em can't agree with u on men bt the woman are amazing

The AU Grand Htel (which can be seen on the right side of the image) seems to be making progress in its construction. Its about time!
http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/images/stories/webpix/784/784-news.jpg

The AU Grand Htel (which can be seen on the right side of the image) seems to be making progress in its construction. Its about time!
http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/images/stories/webpix/784/784-news.jpg

looks like they're doing the interior work now :banana:

ps: i found cities like addis ababa , shanghai ,lunada which a influx architectural fascinating .....addis is an amazing city its got character those"shantis' are amazing when you start talking to the people and learning how the interact with there neighbours etc. and how to best integrate them into modern society reminds me of a massive project we did in ethiopia last year

The AU Grand Htel (which can be seen on the right side of the image) seems to be making progress in its construction. Its about time!
http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/images/stories/webpix/784/784-news.jpg

Nice hotel ethiopea could use one;)

^^What was the project? Indeed, the architecture becomes quite interesting in Piazza..

ps: i found cities like addis ababa , shanghai ,lunada which a influx architectural fascinating .....addis is an amazing city its got character those"shantis' are amazing when you start talking to the people and learning how the interact with there neighbours etc. and how to best integrate them into modern society reminds me of a massive project we did in ethiopia last year

Yes, that's a huge challenge. The social cohesion in those slums are unfortunately getting eroded as people move into condos. There's an article about it somewhere in the Buna Bet forum.

Would you share what your project was or is it confidential?

More renders from Midroc Project Office link posted by Skyliner:


http://www.midrocprojects.com/images/stories/gal2/vsig_images/1.African%20Union%20Grand%20Hotel_618_380_100.jpg

http://www.midrocprojects.com/images/stories/gal2/vsig_images/2.-African%20Union%20Grand%20Hotel_548_380_100.jpg


and description:

African Union Grand Hotel is a complex, multipurpose and standard hotel that is designed for presidential, diplomats and business travelers right next to the the African union head quarter of the Addis Ababa city. It has suites and rooms, meeting rooms, restaurants and bar, swimming pool and spa, grand club, multi purpose ballroom, parking and business center. It is located in Sarbet road at the backside of African Union Headquarter.

pics:
http://www.midrocprojects.com/images/stories/aughn13.jpg
http://www.midrocprojects.com/images/stories/aughn9.jpg
http://www.midrocprojects.com/images/stories/aughn5.jpg
http://www.midrocprojects.com/images/stories/aughn10.jpg

Source (http://www.midrocprojects.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10&Itemid=9)

Some new info:

http://www.midrocprojects.com/images/stories/gal2/vsig_images/1.African%20Union%20Grand%20Hotel_618_380_100.jpg

SUITES & ROOMS

Deluxe rooms are featured with either twin or king size bed.
31 Ministerial Suites.
27 Presidential Suites, distinctly decorated & equipped with unparallel comfort & luxury.
All Rooms and Suites are equipped with digital safety box, jewelry line forms, modern jacks for personal computers, elegant desk and chair, infra-red keyboard, WIFI, hi-speed internet, interactive TV system with e-mail access, plasma screen, the most sophisticated phones, more than 50 satellite channels, video and music on demand, independent temperature control and orthopedic mattress.


RESTAURANTS & BAR

The restaurants offer African, American, Asian, Italian, Arabian and French cuisines, skillfully prepared by international chefs.
All day dining restaurant Italian specialty restaurant
Chinese specialty restaurant
Indoor & outdoor sky bar


GRAND CLUB

Designed for Presidential, Diplomats and Business Travelers, with a private check-in and check-out complimentary full breakfast and all day refreshments. Meeting rooms on every Grand Club.


MEETING ROOMS

8 medium size meeting rooms Equipped with the latest
state of the art technology, LCD, slide projector, overhead projector, full scale sound system, clipped/fixed or wireless microphone, internet facilities in every meeting area, ceiling electrical screen, stage lights, portable staging, flip chart, and plasma screen.
Translation Conference Hall
Video conferencing


MULTI PURPOSE BALLROOM

3,500 seating capacity for conference and shows
2,200 seating capacity for banquets
It could also be divided into 4 separate function venues. Accommodating 1,300 guest per venue.
Equipped with state of the art audio and visual equipments.
A simultaneous translation for up to 6 languages, complimented by the latest auto queue system.


SWIMMING POOL & SPA

346sq.m. swimming pool with bar
Fitness room equipped with fitness machines, sauna, & Jacuzzi pools
A wide range of treatments form the spa, professional slimming treatment, massage, facial, & body treatment.


PARKING

166 slots open area car parking
236 slots basement car parking
3 slots delivery truck parking
9 slots taxi parking


THE BUSINESS CENTER

WIFI internet
Full secretarial services
Translation Conference Hall
Courier services
Computer rentals
Stationary supplies
24 hr service

these are both courtesy of Vildana


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6722066253_5d40d8efe9_b.jpg
IMG_8234 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/74561619@N02/6722066253/in/photostream) from Vildana2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/74561619@N02/) @ flickr


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6722070661_698401ee98_b.jpg
IMG_8237 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/74561619@N02/6722070661/in/photostream/) from Vildana2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/74561619@N02/) @ flickr

^^ nice

58 suites in the African Union Grand Hotel. Is there more to the unit count of this new hotel or is that it?

Reading the same source, I'm inclined to say there are more, noting how they separately list "Deluxe rooms", "Ministerial Suites", and "Presidential Suites".

Wow this hotel looks sexy :drool: love the design

Great update!!! Love the design

Woow great hotel!!

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/9707/auhotel.jpg

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/227/africaunionhotel.jpg

OMG
proper fitting
straight lines
leveled
proper scaffolding
well painted lines

so beautiful

Venezian,

Not only that, but I believe that this building is going to easily become the largest hotel in Ethiopia! According to detailed plans I've seen ealsewhere, its going to be something like 17 or 18 floors high (even bigger the the model posted on this thread!)!

Venezian,

Not only that, but I believe that this building is going to easily become the largest hotel in Ethiopia! According to detailed plans I've seen ealsewhere, its going to be something like 17 or 18 floors high (even bigger the the model posted on this thread!)!

Its gonna be 12 stories high, I was there when the roof was being finished, from floor 6 up on both blocks will be suites.
I have photos taken from the 12th floor which will house the sky bar and a restaurant.
I have been on site 3 times and toured the project so your detailed plans are incorrect.

OMG
proper fitting
straight lines
leveled
proper scaffolding
well painted lines

so beautiful

The workmanship is frightening but will look great when the cladding goes on,
It is programmed for a nine month installation by the Chinese.

Its gonna be 12 stories high, I was there when the roof was being finished, from floor 6 up on both blocks will be suites.
I have photos taken from the 12th floor which will house the sky bar and a restaurant.
I have been on site 3 times and toured the project so your detailed plans are incorrect.
Post the photos. :)

It is 14 stories high.

Westin Hotels and Resorts to manage Grand AU Hotel.


By Muluken Yewondwossen



Monday, 24 December 2012 08:51


Westin Hotels and Resorts, one of the prominent hotel chains in the world is negotiating to manage the new African Union Grand Hotel which is owned by MIDROC Ethiopia.

The hotel is now under construction in the premises of the African Union (AU) headquarters.
The construction of the five star hotel is currently speeding up and is expected to cost 1.2 billion birr. The state owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia has recently approved 850 million birr loan for the construction of the hotel.
Sources told Capital that officials from Westin, which is one of the esteemed firm on the hospitality industry in the past 80 years, are in the final stages of negotiation to overtake the management of the new hospitality facility of MIDROC.
The African Union Grand Hotel is expected to be operational by 2013 according to its original schedule to coincide with the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the African Union. Westin Hotels and Resorts brand, the largest upscale hotels and resorts brand, is part of Starwood’s Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. It was bought by Starwood in 1994. Especially in the last decade, Westin has focused on expanding globally and since 2005 its number of hotels has grown from 120 locations in 24 countries to over 160 locations in 37 countries by 2011.
The other luxury hotel, Sheraton Addis owned by the Ethiopian born Saudi billionaire Sheik Mohamed Hussen Al Amoudi, is also managed by Sheraton Hotel and Resort, which was formed in 1937 and is one of the luxury brands under Starwood.
African Union Grand Hotel is a complex, multipurpose and standard hotel that is designed for presidents, diplomats and business travelers. It has suites and rooms, meeting rooms, restaurants and bar, swimming pool and spa, grand club, multipurpose ballroom, business center and parking. The city administration has allocated 90,000 square meter of land to MIDROC for the construction of the hotel. But the company has applied for an additional 17,000 square meter of land for a wider security area and comfortable parking lots.
The hotel is mainly intended to accommodate high government officials who come to the capital city for meeting as well as various other reasons.
The hotel will have 31 ministerial suites, 27 presidential suites, distinctly decorated and equipped with unparallel comfort and luxury. It will also have 8 medium size meeting rooms, a large conference room with a 3,500 seating capacity and another one with a capacity of 2,200 seating for banquets.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.capitalethiopia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2180:westin-hotels-a-resorts-to-manage-grand-au-hotel&catid=35:capital&Itemid=27

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/9366/augrandhotel1.jpg

(GDO)

Westin? I didn't see this. Excellent news!!