The Reef on Marine is the first five star hotel in Port Elizabeth managed by an international operator.

www.myviewfromthereef.co.za

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/6473/reef1bl0.jpg

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/2695/reef2gi2.jpg

Welcome to the boards, Piellejean! Thanks for posting. It looks great!!

Rather nice! is that 14F? Its pity it does not say who the international operator is. The hotel with 128 suites however seems to be the right size for PE's first 5 star hotel. i dont think there will now be another one in the next 4 years tho. seems almost sad that they dont have a 5 star hotel yet.

PS: i really like the website for the development!!

eProp reported that another company is considering plans to build another 5 star hotel.

^^ ya i know but to be honest, if they have coped without a 5 star hotel up to now, i really find it difficult to forsee high occupancy with 2 hotels offering 250 or more 5 star rooms. That will have a knock on effect on the 4 star Courtyard suite with decling occupancy if the 5 star is taken in its place.

The problem with PE is the lack of attracting tourists, especially local ones. I guess projects like Statue of freedom will play a major role in that regard, but again they still need to do more than this. Durban came with Ushaka a and I guess PE should come with more projects of interest to lure tourists to their shores. This will help them in fighting poverty and create jobs.

and local tourists arent the ones that pack out 5 star hotels. that requires foreigners or business men

Top end of market for Bay‘s Radisson hotel

By Bianca Capazorio Business Correspondent

Eastern Province Herald

IN A MAJOR boost for tourism in Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth‘s Auspex properties yesterday finalised a deal with international hotel operators Rezidor to operate the R320-million hotel.

The hotel, Reef on Marine, will become part of the international group‘s Radisson brand, and will now be called Radisson Port Elizabeth.

Auspex property chief executive officer Ben Nyaumwe said the reason he had chosen the Rezidor group, from a number of interested international hotel chains, was because of their “high service orientation”.

Nyaumwe also said that he felt the hotel group would offer better synergies between their Cape Town-based Radisson hotel and the Port Elizabeth one, than other groups could offer.

Rezidor group business development director for Africa Andrew McLachlan said South Africa held vast opportunities to grow the Radisson brand and Port Elizabeth, being a major location, was well suited to the company‘s expansion plans.

“We‘ve got Cape Town on the one end of the Garden Route and we felt the market was right and ripe for a first class Radisson hotel at the other end, in Port Elizabeth”.

The management agreement between the two companies is structured for 15 years, renewable three times for a period of five years each.

Nyaumwe said big projects like Coega and Port Elizabeth‘s status as a World Cup host would see growth in tourism continue in a stronger upward trend than ever before.

Construction has already begun on the site, with bulk earthworks currently on the go. Nyaumwe said full construction would begin on May 1, with the first visitors scheduled to arrive in December 2008.

McLachlan and Nyaumwe however disagree on initial occupancy rates, with McLachlan cautiously saying “I believe the hotel will be well received and we will have recorded an occupancy rate of above 50% in our first financial year”. Nyaumwe however has set his sights much higher stating “I believe we will fill the hotel up before we‘ve even opened its doors”.

Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism chief executive officer Fezikile Tshiwula said the hotel would focus on a gap in the current tourism market.

“There has been a serious challenge for Port Elizabeth in servicing the top end of the market,” he said.

The Rezidor group owns nearly 300 hotels in more than 50 countries. Other brands in their collection cover the luxury market with Regent and Missoni, as well as other markets through Park Inn and Country Inn.

McLachlan said that for expansion into the South African market, the Radisson and Park Inn brands were being targeted.

The company, of Scandinavian origin, started operating in 1960.

Owned by Swedish national carrier SAS airlines, the hotel group expanded into routes where the airline flew.

The company listed on the Stockholm stock exchange last year.

bcapazorio@johnnicec.co.za

2007/04/26

Property24.com

Port Elizabeth's first five-star hotel, which will be operated by the internationally-acclaimed Rezidor Hotel Group, will open the doors of its 173 luxury suites to guests in December 2008.

Already under construction in Summerstrand's prime Marine Drive, the Radisson Hotel is a R320- million project initiated by Eastern Cape-based Auspex Property.

Speaking at this week's signing of the official operator contract between Auspex and Rezidor, Europe's second largest hotel brand, Auspex managing director Ben Nyaumwe said the hotel presented a five-star sectional title investment opportunity for Nelson Mandela Bay to benefit from events such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The hotel would lease the suites from sectional title owners on a turnover-based rental of 20 percent of the total hotel revenue, he said. This included revenue derived from hotel operations such as the wellness and conference centres and its restaurants.

Guaranteeing a minimum return on investment of 6 percent of the purchase price for two years, Nyaumwe said financial returns could be as high as 16 percent or more per annum. Investors could expect their first payout early in 2009.

Spread out over three stands, the 14-storey hotel has been designed in a contemporary style that will blend in with the area's existing buildings and compliment its coastal setting. Glass-enhanced architecture will ensure extensive natural light in the suites, all of which will overlook the Indian Ocean.

The Radisson would be a landmark building for Port Elizabeth, said Nyaumwe, adding that the use of "smart building technology" would ensure its sustainability. Fully wireless enabled with 24-hour high speed internet, and a mere five minute drive from Port Elizabeth's airport, it would be ideal for business people. It was also superbly situated for holiday makers who would have access to 40 kilometers of South Africa's finest beaches, including Hobie Beach, which enjoyed international blue flag status. In addition, Port Elizabeth was the gateway to the Garden Route and close to a number of top golf courses and nature reserves, he said.

Other features of the Radisson will include a private hotel yacht for cruises and a 24-hour complimentary shuttle service for guests. It will also have lounges, a cocktail and cigar bar and a signature nouvelle cuisine restaurant.

Nyaumwe said the Radisson would offer a fully-equipped business and conference centre, and banqueting facilities on a par with the best in the world. A leading wellness spa and gym will be on site as well as a sea-fronting, glass rim-flow swimming pool. Just a stone's throw away from hotel is a secure beach, and the hotel is within walking distance of a casino and a host of entertainment and shopping facilities.

Sales are already strongly underway, with investors paying anywhere from R2,05 million for a luxury suite to R2,85 million for one of the hotel's three presidential suites, Nyaumwe concluded. – Ingrid Smit

Good that its an international brand. PE is serverely lacking in tourist infrastructure and this will help alot, but tourist products now need to also be developed. Work needs to happen on tourist precincts, like the long talk about tower and waterfront

Hospitality Net

25 April 2007

The Rezidor Hotel Group has signed a contract to manage a new Radisson hotel in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The property, with 173 rooms, will be built in the upscale, busy beachfront Summerstrand district and is scheduled to open in late 2008. From 2007 to 2009, Rezidor will add 20,000 rooms to its portfolio.

“South Africa is an important market for our organic business development. Port Elizabeth meets our growth strategy as we plan to open more hotels in key cities and resort destinations within the country”, comments Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of The Rezidor Hotel Group. “We see promising potentials in this country and are glad to arrive in Port Elizabeth, the fifth largest city with 1,5 million inhabitants”.

The Radisson Port Elizabeth will be the first international first class brand in the Nelson Mandela Bay offering panoramic views over the Algoa Bay, and featuring services such as a swimming pool, wellness centre and gym, restaurant & bar, 8 conference and meeting rooms and a business centre. Guests will be able to reach the city centre in 2 minutes and the international airport in 10 minutes. Port Elizabeth is located on the country’s south eastern coast, approximately 760 kilometres from Cape Town. The city has beautiful beaches and nearby “big six” private game reserves – as well as the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ); South Africa’s premier location for new industrial investments covering 11.000 hectares of land.

Owner of the future Radisson hotel is the South African company Auspex Property.

Facts & Figures:
Property: Radisson Port Elizabeth (to open)
Rooms: 173

Between 2007 and 2009, Rezidor will add 20.000 rooms to its portfolio.

Thryve,

Please rename this thread as follows:


# Radisson Port Elizabeth - Hotel - 15F - Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth


This development is spectacular!

I see there is a short feature in Property magazine about this. Good news for Port Elizabeth. Could someone please rename this thread to Radisson Port Elizabeth?

1. Garden Court Kings Beach - *** - 285 rooms - built 1971/1995
2. Summerstrand Hotel - *** - 241 rooms - built 1971
3. Radisson Port Elizabeth - ***** - 173 rooms - opening 2008
4. City Lodge Port Elizabeth - *** - 148 rooms - built 1989
5. Protea Hotel Edward - *** - 106 rooms - built 1903

Eastern Province Herald

June 8, 2007

By Bianca Capazorio Business Correspondent

PORT Elizabeth‘s new Radisson Hotel yesterday became the third coastal property in South Africa to join the prestigious Registry Collection.

This is a global network of luxury leisure resorts and hotels which works on an exchange programme, allowing investors in a particular property to swop their allocated time for time in one of more than 100 Registry Collection partners across the world.

The Radisson Hotel is being developed by Ben Nyaumwe and Auspex Property, and is due for completion in 2008.

Speaking at the signing of the agreement between Auspex Property and the Registry Collection, Nyaumwe said it was a major milestone for Port Elizabeth, as Radisson would be joining the top 1% of the world‘s leisure destination properties.

Nyaumwe said his company was “committed to the tourism growth potential in the Eastern Cape” and said the hotel‘s association with the Registry Collection would allow Port Elizabeth to continue to position itself as an international tourist destination.

Registry Collection portfolio manager (Africa) Dominique Moralee said Port Elizabeth was a “growing attraction which was well-known internationally”.

She said Radisson was a “world class” development. The agreement would allow investors in the hotel the chance to travel anywhere in the world.

Investors in Radisson receive 28 days to be spent at the hotel or in one of the partner hotels.

Registry Collection marketing director (Africa) Brendan Mbatha said the hotel would allow travellers from the US and Europe to travel to Port Elizabeth and not have to compromise on luxury.

“There is a perception that when you come to South Africa, you come here to rough it, but this hotel will put Port Elizabeth on the map in terms of international tourism,” he said.

Dysan1,

Now that you are in charge can you rename the title of this thread as follows:

# Radisson Port Elizabeth - Hotel - 15F - Port Elizabeth

The development used to be called The Reef on Marine before Rezidor signed the management contract with the developer.

Property24.com

2007/08/20

Port Elizabeth's Marine Drive skyline is receiving its tallest addition to date and this five star luxury hotel looks set to be the definitive landmark along this stretch of PE's coastline. The whitewashed building and glass-walled exteriors of the Radisson SAS Hotel Port Elizabeth is a groundbreaking and innovative design unlike anything in the region.

The Radisson is affiliated to Auspex Property developers, The Registry Collection, Camelot Spa Group, Technogym and is a brand of The Reizdor Hotel Group. Auspex is responsible for building the hotel with its 173 sea facing suites, of which 147 are luxury, 11 business class, 12 king and 3 presidential.

The hotel's glass façade is protected by a Silent Gliss System to prevent heat gain and offers panoramic views over the Indian Ocean and Algoa Bay. The popular Hobie and Pollock beaches lie on the Radisson's doorstep and negotiations are ongoing between the developer and the local municipality to create the first private beach in Port Elizabeth through Private Public Partnership (PPP).

According to Dominique Moralee, portfolio manager for the Registry Collection (Africa), so far interested parties and buyers have not been attracted to the project by 'big media splashes.' "Rather, it's basically been word of mouth," adds Moralee. The success and rapidity with which buyers have approached the project has resulted in 80% of the units already being sold, before construction started in April 2007. "Interestingly, the majority of buyers are predominantly from the domestic market," says Adrian Zanetti, marketing director of The Registry Collection (Africa).

The 173 units are priced accordingly: the luxury suites sell for R2,05m, super luxury for R2,425m, king luxury suites for R2.65m and presidential luxury suites sell for R3,65m. All the suites have been sold, except for a few luxury suites.

The hotel is conveniently located five kilometers from both PE's International Airport and CBD, as well as 70 kilometers from Addo Elephant National Park.

An investment product
Zanetti goes on to say that the Radisson is "very much an investment product," and most of the units are based on sectional title schemes, so all the owners will be part of the body corporate, and as a result will have a say in the overall running of the hotel.

Upon purchasing a unit, investors are assured a guaranteed return on investment of 8% for the first two years, that is extended a further one year at 7,5%, after which no guarantees are assured. Currently, guaranteed returns on investment are something of a 'hot-topic', and although the Radisson has assured the hotel's financial viability at 45% with a room rate of R950, financing guaranteed returns then falls on the shoulders of management. Zanetti says he believes this guarantee will be underwritten by Auspex in the event of under-occupation.

Zanetti refers to the three years as a safety net on the relationship between investors and hotel management, as the Radisson deals with its growing pains of new marketing campaigns, building a client base and overall establishment of the iconic landmark.

Investors earn their returns in two ways; either through capital appreciation upon reselling the unit, after growth in the market has taken place or as an income strategy by collecting quarterly returns, paid out of lease proceeds.

Value added services
Primarily targeted at affluent buyers, the Radisson courtesy of their affiliation with The Registry Collection provides members with access to some of the most desireable and internationally acclaimed hotels and resorts, across the globe.

The membership with The Registry Collection is valid for a 10 year period and members are able to exchange between local and international destinations offering wildlife, spa, beach and golfing activities, as well as luxurious international experiences.

Furthermore, a concierge service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Zanetti said that Registry chose 'La Concierge', a company based out of London, to cater for members' every whim or fancy.

Zanetti further adds that the there is a "network established locally", so clients can request park passes, sports tickets, cultural or artistic performances within South Africa and overseas – the list is endless.

Concludes Bailey Schoeman, PR and Event Manager for Auspex Property, "We are thrilled about this affiliation to The Registry Collection, and are proud to be able to offer the Radisson Hotel Port Elizabeth investors the incomparable lifestyle benefits afforded through membership to The Registry Collection. The agreement between the two parties serves to reinforce the fact that Nelson Mandela Bay is undeniably a world-class travel destination." –James Monteiro

This article brings up the problems some of us raised with this hotel, as well as some new ones. Will PE be able to support the room rates is surprisingly lower down the lsit of the problems, even though it still is one

PE HOTEL: Guaranteed return too good to be true?

Oct 04 2007 12:00 AM
Joan Muller

HOTEL DEVELOPERS, like their residential counterparts, are starting to climb on the "guaranteed return" bandwagon. Most of these developers are selling sectional title hotel suites and buy-to-let apartments with a guaranteed income return of between 6% and 10% of the buying price in the first year or two after transfer.
The developer of the new Radisson SAS Hotel in Port Elizabeth has upped the stakes in the guaranteed return game considerably, stretching its pledge period to an unprecedented 15 years. Radisson is part of the Stockholm-listed Rezidor Hotel Group and one of a number of international hotel operators claiming its stake in South Africa's hospitality industry in the run-up to the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Hotel suites in the Radisson - Mandela Bay's first five-star hotel - are being sold on a sectional title basis. The 173 rooms cost between R2,05m and R3,65m and are sized from 30sq m to 90sq m. The Port Elizabeth-based developer - Aumwe Property Developers - guarantees a minimum return on investment of 8% for the first two years and 7,5% for years three to 15.

Owners will be entitled to 28 days/year free usage of their unit. Some 20% of the gross hotel revenue - including revenues generated by the hotel's spa, conference facilities, restaurants and shops - will be paid out to investors. Surprisingly, owners won't be charged any of the usual costs associated with property ownership, such as levies, rates and taxes or maintenance.

The attractive terms of the Radisson offer do raise questions concerning how viable guaranteed return products are, particularly given that some previous developments of this nature never came to fruition.

A case in point is The Lincoln at trendy, mixed-use precinct Melrose Arch in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, which was canned earlier this year. The luxury development was brought to the market off-plan 18 months ago, offering buyers a 10% guaranteed rental income for the first year after completion. Construction was due to start early this year but the project flopped. The development is now being "re-engineered" - sans the guaranteed rental clause.

The 10% guaranteed return, coupled to rapidly rising building costs, would no doubt have made it near impossible for the developer to earn a decent profit had The Lincoln gone ahead in its original guise.

Joop Demes, MD of Golding Hotel Investment Consultants (GHIC), says though guaranteed returns are a growing international trend used to churn stock, he's nervous about the Port Elizabeth model.

Not only is the 15-year guarantee period unheard of, but Demes says there's added risk in that hotel occupancies and room rates in Port Elizabeth aren't yet on a par with those of Cape Town, Durban or Johannesburg.

Another commentator doubts whether the developer will earn enough revenue to cover the promised returns, particularly as only 20% of the Radisson's income will be paid out to investors. "The sums don't add up."

An added concern is that buyers are overpaying for units, as developers often build guaranteed returns into asking prices. But Aumwe Property Developers MD Ben Nyaumwe says that suggestion is ridiculous. "Published statistics show that it costs on average between R1,75m and R2,5m to build one five-star hotel room. The Radisson is being built to international standards so it's at the top end of that scale."

Nyaumwe maintains that the minimum guaranteed return of 8% in the first two years is based on projections of a relatively low occupancy level of 55%. He believes those calculations are conservative and likely to exceed 16%/year, given the Eastern Cape's tourism growth potential and limited supply of hotel rooms.

However, Nyaumwe admits that there's a chance that the hotel revenue alone may not be sufficient to meet obligations to investors in the first two years. "But we have sufficient cash reserves in the business to cover any shortfall." Nyaumwe is apparently also in the process of negotiating performance insurance with a financial institution to take risk away from investors. That means that the developer will effectively pay insurance premiums to guarantee payouts if targeted revenues aren't achieved.

Meanwhile, latest results from Deloitte's Hotel Benchmark Survey show that the performance of SA hotels continues to improve. Hotel revenue per available room throughout SA was up 16,7% in the first six months of 2007 (year-on-year), while average occupancies have increased 2,1% to 70,4% over the same time.

It's uncertain to what extent, if any, Port Elizabeth's hotels have shared in those performance stakes because it isn't one of the cities tracked by Deloitte's hotel survey.

Finweek

03 Oct 2007

Intro
Hotel Developers, like their residential counterparts, are starting to climb on the "guaranteed return" bandwagon.

Most of these developers are selling sectional title hotel suites and buy-to-let apartments with a guaranteed income return of between 6% and 10% of the buying price in the first year or two after transfer.

The developer of the new Radisson SAS Hotel in Port Elizabeth has upped the stakes in the guaranteed return game considerably, stretching its pledge period to an unprecedented 15 years. Radisson is part of the Stockholm-listed Rezidor Hotel Group and one of a number of international hotel operators claiming its stake in South Africa's hospitality industry in the run-up to the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Hotel suites in the Radisson - Mandela Bay's first five-star hotel - are being sold on a sectional title basis.

The 173 rooms cost between R2,05m and R3,65m and are sized from 30sq m to 90sq m. The Port Elizabeth-based developer - Aumwe Property Developers - guarantees a minimum return on investment of 8% for the first two years and 7,5% for years three to 15. Owners will be entitled to 28 days/year free usage of their unit. Some 20% of the gross hotel revenue - including revenues generated by the hotel's spa, conference facilities, restaurants and shops - will be paid out to investors.

Surprisingly, owners won't be charged any of the usual costs associated with property ownership, such as levies, rates and taxes or maintenance. The attractive terms of the Radisson offer do raise questions concerning how viable guaranteed return products are, particularly given that some previous developments of this nature never came to fruition.

A case in point is The Lincoln at trendy, mixed-use precinct Melrose Arch in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, which was canned earlier this year. The luxury development was brought to the market off-plan 18 months ago, offering buyers a 10% guaranteed rental income for the first year after completion. Construction was due to start early this year but the project flopped.

The development is now being "re-engineered" - sans the guaranteed rental clause. The 10% guaranteed return, coupled to rapidly rising building costs, would no doubt have made it near impossible for the developer to earn a decent profit had The Lincoln gone ahead in its original guise. Joop Demes, MD of Golding Hotel Investment Consultants (GHIC), says though guaranteed returns are a growing international trend used to churn stock, he's nervous about the Port Elizabeth model.

Not only is the 15-year guarantee period unheard of, but Demes says there's added risk in that hotel occupancies and room rates in Port Elizabeth aren't yet on a par with those of Cape Town, Durban or Johannesburg. Another commentator doubts whether the developer will earn enough revenue to cover the promised returns, particularly as only 20% of the Radisson's income will be paid out to investors.

"The sums don't add up." An added concern is that buyers are overpaying for units, as developers often build guaranteed returns into asking prices. But Aumwe Property Developers MD Ben Nyaumwe says that suggestion is ridiculous. "Published statistics show that it costs on average between R1,75m and R2,5m to build one five-star hotel room. The Radisson is being built to international standards so it's at the top end of that scale."

Nyaumwe maintains that the minimum guaranteed return of 8% in the first two years is based on projections of a relatively low occupancy level of 55%. He believes those calculations are conservative and likely to exceed 16%/year, given the Eastern Cape's tourism growth potential and limited supply of hotel rooms.

However, Nyaumwe admits that there's a chance that the hotel revenue alone may not be sufficient to meet obligations to investors in the first two years. "But we have sufficient cash reserves in the business to cover any shortfall." Nyaumwe is apparently also in the process of negotiating performance insurance with a financial institution to take risk away from investors. That means that the developer will effectively pay insurance premiums to guarantee payouts if targeted revenues aren't achieved. Meanwhile, latest results from Deloitte's Hotel Benchmark Survey show that the performance of SA hotels continues to improve.

Hotel revenue per available room throughout SA was up 16,7% in the first six months of 2007 (year-on-year), while average occupancies have increased 2,1% to 70,4% over the same time. It's uncertain to what extent, if any, Port Elizabeth's hotels have shared in those performance stakes because it isn't one of the cities tracked by Deloitte's hotel survey.

^^ um that was my post right above :)

http://www.travelwires.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/rsas-port-elizabeth.jpg

Nice render Kapenaar!

When does construction commence on this one, or hopefully has it already? I'm sure it's getting a little tight now and PE needs needs needs more good accommodation for 2010...

No, constsuction started a while back. At about the 10th level now. Haven't been down to the site in a while though.

Cool! Just assumed it was delayed as there were no construction pics. Could you get some for us when you get a chance? PE getting a international hotel is quite a big deal! :)

Yeah will do so.

yeah some pics wld be great guys. will be good to see something rising in PE with positive news after all the negativity of the stadium

Gonna go get some pics tom.

thanx a mill lukus, good to hear they reached the 2/3 mark, will deff be ready for 2010

^^ its supposed to open by year end according to press reports...

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:cheers:Thanks Lukus!!!

looking good in those pics!!! its got one story homes next store!! interesting...

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S‘strand folk fuming at plans for new high-rise

Guy Rogers ENVIRONMENT & TOURISM EDITOR

SUMMERSTRAND residents are fuming over a proposed new highrise flat block which, they charge, will further erode quality of life and property values in one of Port Elizabeth‘s top residential suburbs.

A number of residents interviewed yesterday confirmed they had lodged their objections to the project – near the intersection of Ninth Avenue and Marine Drive – following receipt of a letter from the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality alerting them to it.

They said they were already upset about the towering Radisson Hotel, being built on the corner of Ninth Avenue and Marine Drive and that, if the new block was built, the problems already created by the Radisson would be exacerbated.

Chanelle Koumbarakis said the local park and her back garden, where she and her husband do much of their entertaining, were already cloaked in the shadow thrown by the Radisson.

“We‘re concerned that if this additional block goes up we will be living in permanent shade.”

The Koumbarakises have been in their home in 10th Avenue for six years. Construction started on the Radisson at the beginning of this year and is now up about 14 floors. Koumbarakis said her understanding was the developer had permission to go up 15 storeys.

“They do seem to be coming to an end, but there are rumours that they might have got permission to go higher.”

In Ninth Avenue, Tracey Meistre said she and her family had not come to live in Summerstrand to see it turn into a replica of Durban with all its beachfront sky-rises.

“We did research before we bought here in 2000 and flats could not be built higher than seven storeys, which is what the Cascades next door was built to.”

Traffic from the Radisson and now this other block, if it was approved, would struggle to function in the quiet, narrow surrounding roads, she said.

“We don‘t have a problem with the shadow the new block will cast, but we have just built a 3,6m wall to give us some privacy around our pool. Residents in this new block will be able to look straight down into our garden. So our renovation was in vain.”

In Brighton Drive, Graham Young said the construction of high-rise flat blocks in Summerstrand was destroying the area.

“We need height restrictions to be imposed strictly as they are overseas. Summerstrand is an established residential suburb. If they carry on like this, its character will be lost and property prices will go one way.”

Jim Milne, a church warden at St Margaret‘s Anglican Church in Torquay Road, said the parish‘s objections to the new block included the traffic congestion which would result, the shadow it would throw over nearby homes and the noise of construction, which is already a problem at the Radisson.

Greg Andrews, who lives in 10th Avenue, said he was not against development but he objected to the proposed height of the new block.

Stan Moore-Barnes, estate manager of the four-storey Retief Plein, said 15 storeys was “way above the norm”.

Ward 1 councillor Stanford Slabbert said the proposed new development project posed a serious challenge.

“The Radisson is already going to have a huge impact from the shadows it will cast on the beachfront. The roads in that area are already overloaded.”

The letter which started all the fuss reached residents on September 4 from the municipal land planning sub-directorate. It refers to an application by Meiring Property Trust, owner of 5-7 Ninth Avenue, for permission to build a 15- storey block. Residents were given until September 29 to register objections.

The application was made by Metroplan on behalf of the Meiring trust. A message was left at the trust‘s cellphone number but no response had been received by the time of going to press.

Municipal spokesman Lourens Schoeman said yesterday: “All objections will be taken into consideration.”

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S‘strand hotel ‘could have gone up 100 storeys‘

Guy Rogers ENVIRONMENT & TOURISM EDITOR

THE developers of the high-rise Radisson Hotel in Summerstrand have hit back at criticism, saying the building represents progress and they “could have gone up 100 storeys” if they had wanted to.

Auspex Properties managing director Ben Nyaumwe said the previous owner of the site – erven 147 and 148 at 5-7 Ninth Avenue – had applied to Bhisho for permission for a relaxation on height restrictions for a proposed building.

“We were then given unlimited height restriction by Bhisho. We could have gone up 100 storeys. The Radisson will in fact be going up 18 storeys.”

The news is unlikely to impress residents and ward councillors who pinpointed the Radisson this week as the beginning of “another Durban” which would result in plummeting property prices and quality of life in one of Port Elizabeth‘s prime residential areas.

The charge from critics is that the Radisson, only up 14 storeys so far, is already throwing a huge shadow over gardens and the local park. The units would look down into all the surrounding gardens, and traffic would become a nightmare. With a proposed 15-storey block across the road, the wind tunnel effect would make it unpleasant to live in the area, they said.

Speaking through Auspex‘s public relations officer from his hotel in Manhattan, New York, Nyaumwe said the shadow and privacy factors were “unfortunate negative byproducts of any high-rise building”.

“But we believe that the benefits the Radisson will bring far outweigh these negatives. We are bringing a five-star hotel to Port Elizabeth. It will have world-class facilities, available to all, which will drive tourism and the economy.”

Nimby's :ohno:

Them idiots.

So, official then... 18 floors.

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Glittering deal for new hotel

20 Oct 2008

Intro
Weather and a delay in the delivery of lifts to serve the Radisson Hotel in Port Elizabeth have forced the opening to be postponed.

By Bob Kernohan

Weather and a delay in the delivery of high-tech lifts to serve the 18-floor luxury Radisson Hotel in Port Elizabeth have forced the opening of the new beachfront landmark to early next year.

However, all other aspects of the R320-million project are on schedule, including the signing this week of developers Auspex Property‘s first retail tenant in 50-year-old Ritters Jewellers, which itself is undergoing changes. Meanwhile, the Radisson has also appointed a dedicated general manager, Guido Bayley.

Announcing the first retail detail, Auspex marketing and public relations manager Michelle Campbell said extremely high winds over the last few months meant the special high-rise cranes on the site had not been able to work at full efficiency levels.

“There has also been a delay in the delivery and installation of the lifts, so our original plan of opening the Radisson in stages towards the end of this year has changed and it has now been decided that we should have a single grand opening in March,” said Campbell “Otherwise, all other phases are right on schedule.”

General manager Bayley said the signing of Ritters Jewellers as the first retail tenant had made the hotel‘s management “extremely proud” as it backed Radisson‘s own prestige brand.

“It is the first of a variety of top class retail outlets and facilities for hotel guests and locals to enjoy.” said Bayley.

Hungarian-born and German-raised Josef Ritter, who came to South Africa in 1956 and started the store as a jewellery workshop in Port Elizabeth in 1958, has sold the business to David van Niekerk.

“To coincide with celebrating 50 years of service, Ritters will be opening its second outlet inside the new Radisson Hotel,” Van Niekerk said.

Ritter would still be active in the business in all designing, manufacturing, and quality aspects. “Being a five-star hotel, The Radisson will attract top calibre guests and we will be there to supply this market,” said Van Niekerk.

The retail announcement was the first made by newly appointed Bayley, a 36-year-old German who has 16 years of experience in the hotel industry and has worked for the international Radisson SAS group for the past 12 years.

One of his first tasks will be to appoint his management team and to recruit staff.

“The appointed staff will then go through a series of intense practical and service culture training, including a ‘100% guest satisfaction‘ workshop,” Bayley said.

The hotel will feature 173 rooms and suites, a 120-seater Italian-style restaurant, a cocktail bar, spa, and gym.

Source: Weekend Post

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Event space plan upheld

BUSINESS STAFF

THE developers of the Radisson Hotel on Port Elizabeth‘s beachfront have been given the go-ahead for the construction of events space and conference facilities on the fifth level of the multi-storey parking area.

Nelson Mandela Bay municipality‘s housing and land committee agreed to the changes, the motivation being that Radisson is a five-star hotel and the events facility will be “an integral part” of its support facilities.

The application stated that the conversion of what was initially part of the planned parking facilities would not have an impact on this because the parking on level five was in excess of the 170 bays required by the transport impact assessment.

The matter will now be taken to full council for approval early next month.

update pics

Green technologies set to help hotels trim costs

04 Dec 2008 - Inet Bridge -

Intro
The motivation for SA hotels to go green may not be driven by business imperatives just yet, but it will in years to come.

Julius Baumann

Aviation and Tourism Editor

THE motivation for South African hotels to go green may not be driven by business imperatives just yet, but it will in years to come.

In the long term green technologies are likely to help hotels trim their operational costs significantly — particularly with regard to electricity and water use.

And while there may be only a small number of guests seeking environmentally friendly hotels now, that trickle is likely to grow into a steady stream over the next few years as awareness of the need to conserve the environment grows.

Properties that have already adopted green technologies and practices will be the first to benefit from an increase in business.

The hospitality industry in general is only now waking up to the importance of green issues, but there are several hotels around the country that have a clear vision of a green future and have tackled it head-on.

The Port Elizabeth Radisson, due to open in March next year, is one such establishment and has adopted numerous environmentally friendly technologies from the outset.

“There are certain advantages to designing a building from scratch as it allows you to incorporate green design and use environmental friendly materials and systems you would not be able to in an existing building,” says Ben Nyaumwe, MD of Auspex Property and developer of the hotel.

Every aspect of its design and construction has been with one eye on the environment. For example the group used glass — mostly recycled glass — extensively in the building, which helped limit the use of artificial lighting and assists in heating the building.

“Apart from saving on power, the glass helps bring in a lot of natural light which studies have found generally helps make people to feel better about themselves,” says Nyaumwe.

The panes used in the hotel are also 94% reflective, helping to better regulate inside temperatures.

The developers also opted to use chilled water air-conditioning instead of the power-intensive electric systems traditionally used.

The chilled water is distributed throughout the building in a well-insulated piping system and connected to air condition cooling units wherever needed.

The hot water drawn out of the rooms through the air conditioning system is then used to pre-heat water used in the bathrooms. “This means that we need to use less power to heat the water, plus it offers instantly hot water when needed in the room,” says Nyaumwe.

Ultimately the building’s design has meant that the hotel will only use half of the planned 1600kW requirement. “There is no doubt that there will be a huge saving”.

The developers’ sensitivity to the environment has gone further than the building itself. The hotel also only uses material manufactured using environmental-friendly processes — bricks made in yards emitting plumes of black smoke will not be found in this building.

Nyaumwe says the development team travelled widely — here and abroad — to see what was available in terms of material and systems, the best of which have been used in the hotel.

Another property taking environmental issues seriously is The Vineyard in Cape Town. So seriously in fact that it has appointed an environmental manager, Chris van Zyl.

While not having the luxury of designing a green hotel from the ground up, The Vineyard has addressed environmental issues in every aspect of the service it provides. The paper it uses in its offices is recycled, mineral water is served only in recycled glass bottles, and the fresh produce used in its kitchens is organically grown and locally produced.

The Vineyard has a full recycling programme with a dedicated team sorting its waste. Van Zyl says that recycled grey water will be used in 35 new rooms under development.

He admits that while the focus is wholeheartedly on saving the environment, there are commercial benefits. “We do have a growing numbers of guests asking about our environmental programme before booking a room. And on the conference side, it is clear that companies would go elsewhere if we did not have the programme in place,” he says.

However, Van Zyl says that while there are savings in using green products and systems, there are also costs.

“Recycled paper needs to be imported as it is not locally available. That makes it much more expensive.

“Similarly the grey water recycling system may need to be imported. So while it may save us in the long run, the initial expense will be huge,” says Van Zyl.

Part of the problem is that with only a few properties using environmental systems such as chilled water air-conditioners, there is little demand in SA.

That means if they are available in the country, they are likely to be expensive or they need to be imported. “Clearly as more buildings become green and there is more demand, prices will drop,” says Van Zyl.

Van Zyl and Nyaumwe believe that a grading system, along the lines of the star system, is needed to market establishments that are strive to address green issues, and to develop a broader awareness.

While a handful of hotels may be leading the way, many more are likely to follow in the next few years.

But unlike the green pioneers, the latecomers’ decision to go green will be clearly driven by commercial imperatives and the financial benefits they will derive from going green.

Source: Business Day

Courtesy of PE Daily photo blog, http://portelizabethdailyphoto.blogspot.com/

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Nice to see this one up, looks like its topped out, but PE still concerns me, no idea why they have so many matches allocated.

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guys i moved all the general PE chatter we had to the PE discussion thread... link here (http://http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=270434&page=19) to link to it

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Inwoners van Somerstrand is ontsteld oor die voorstel om ’n tydelike casino by die Radisson Blu-hotel in dié woonbuurt in te rig. Embo, een van die bieërs vir die casino-lisensie in die Baai, het die voorstel gemaak. Foto: SERGIO BAARTZES


Inwoners sien rooi oor casino-plan

CLARISSA VENTER

13/03/2009 01:04:01 AM - (SA)

Port Elizabeth. – Die voorstel om tydelik ’n casino by die nuutgeboude Radisson Blu-hotel in Somerstrand in te rig, het inwoners van die spogbuurt rooi laat sien.

Die inligting oor die tydelike casino is vervat in dokumente van Embo, een van die bieërs vir die Baai se casinolisensie, wat tot Maandag oop was vir openbare besigtiging en kommentaar.

Embo en die groep Emfuleni Resorts is in die wedloop om die casino-lisensie van die Oos-Kaapse Dobbelraad te bekom.

Emfuleni Resorts is die huidige eienaar en houer van die Boardwalk se casino lisensie, maar dit verval volgende jaar.

Embo beoog ’n casino by die Baaise hawe, maar totdat dit gebou is, sal die derde vloer van die hotel as casino ingerig word.

Me. Ronell Beetge, wat twee gastehuise skuins agter die Radisson Blu in 9de Laan bedryf, is gekant teen die voorgestelde plan. Sy is hoofsaaklik bekommerd oor onvoldoende parkering. “Die casino moet eerder bly waar dit is,” het Beetge gesê.

Nog ’n bekommerde inwoner, me. Suzanne Heyns, wat in die Summer Seas-meenthuiskompleks oorkant die hotel woon, meen ook parkering en geraasbesoedeling gaan ’n groot probleem wees.

“Die verkeer is reeds druk. Hoe gaan ons maak as hier ’n casino is?” wou Heyns weet.

Mev. Vicky Andrews, wat twee huise van die hotel af bly, het gesê sy wil beslis nie ’n casino naby haar hê nie.

“Dit sal ongewenste elemente lok, om nie eers te praat van die beperkte parkering nie”.

Embo stel egter voor dat belangrike gaste by die hotel kan parkeer terwyl ander gaste oorkant die pad sal parkeer en met gholfkarre na die hotel aangery sal word.

Mnr. Stanford Slabbert, DA-wyksraadslid in die gebied, is ook ten sterkste teen die voorstel gekant.

Die Dobbelraad sal na verwagting in Augustus ’n aankondiging oor die lisensie maak.

The whole temporary casino at the Radisson in case they get the license is cause a lot of unhappyness in town. Specially from people living in that area.

^^ A Radisson with a casino. I have to agree with residents. Don't like the idea... a brand like Radisson should not allow themselves to be "cheapened" like that. And a casino smack in the middle or a residential area... I would also see red.

^^ A Radisson with a casino. I have to agree with residents. Don't like the idea... a brand like Radisson should not allow themselves to be "cheapened" like that. And a casino smack in the middle or a residential area... I would also see red.

Agreed. It really doesn't fit their profile... :ohno:

I don't like the idea of having a 5 star hotel with a casino. It does sound cheap and really could do without it. The whole argument that its in a residential area is absolute bull sh$%. The boardwalk casino is like two blocks away and is included in summerstrand which by the way is a residential area. Just old residents kicking up a fuss about nothing. The same happened last year about The Ironman. The older residents complained that it makes to much noise and mess for there liking. Unfortunately you can't please everyone. I agree thou that Radisson should not be considering putting in a casino when one is just a stone throw away from them. Ridiculous.

is there an english version of the article anywhere?

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Residents up in arms over Radisson’s use as casino

2009/03/18

Sipho Masondo HERALD REPORTER masondos@avusa.co.za


THE Embo group is planning to use the Radisson Hotel as a temporary accommodation for Nelson Mandela Bay‘s only casino should it win the new licence which is up for renewal next year.

The group, one of two companies bidding for the new licence, plans to convert the Radisson Hotel‘s conference centre and meeting room into a casino with 169 gaming machines. But residents in the hotel‘s neighbourhood claim they are being taken for a ride by hotel owners Auspex Properties.

DA Summerstrand councillor Dean Biddulph said the infrastructure around the area would not be able to cope with the large number of punters expected to descend on the Radisson.

“The hotel was not designed to be a casino. It doesn‘t seem to make sense at all. There have been no improvements on the roads to accommodate extra traffic.”

Embo was taking advantage of the people, he said, adding the original design for the Radisson was not more than 15 floors. However, it was increased and afterwards a conference centre was also added.
Biddulph said: “The goalpost is being shifted all the time.”

A senior official at Embo said the casino‘s accommodation at the Radisson would be temporary as the casino would be relocated to its proposed permanent site, the disused piece of land adjacent to the harbour, should the company win the bid for the new hotel.

“Hotels go well with casinos nonetheless, most international hotels are linked to casinos. Look at Miami or Las Vegas,” he said.

He said punters would use the parking space at Something Good, and would be ferried by shuttle to the casino. “We will also use the parking at the Boardwalk Casino, and ferry people to the Radisson,” he said, adding there would be little or no disruptions at all to residents.

He declined to comment on whether Embo had already obtained a lease agreement from Transnet to use its land for the proposed development.
Embo is proposing a spectacular R1,8-billion entertainment centre on Port Elizabeth‘s waterfront.

The centre, which will be anchored by a casino, will also feature a hotel, tourism-related retail facilities, a cruise liner terminal, ice skating rink, Imax cinema, new Apple Express station, restaurants, childcare and parking facilities.

Transnet spokesman Mboniso Sigonyela said they were not engaged in negotiations with Embo for any land for the purposes of building a casino. Transnet had issued a request for proposals for a piece of land meant for port operations. That process was ongoing.

Pic taken today to update the thread on its progress.

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^^ they like boxy designs for their SA hotels...

re the casino aspect, sounds pathetic and would never fly off the ground imo

^^ they like boxy designs for their SA hotels...

re the casino aspect, sounds pathetic and would never fly off the ground imo

Its not only the ones in SA, in Europe as well. The one at Zurich Airport is a giant cube... I kid you not!

^^ lol i should check that out.

retief plein is dwarfed by the hotel. the hotel is in a really nice part of sumerstrand.

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I wish the Sandton Radissons looked more like this.

^^ agreed

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Glitzy hotel to open its doors

2009/04/28
Brian Hayward WEEKEND POST REPORTER haywardb@avusa.co.za

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ALL SYSTEMS GO: Making a final inspection of the Bay‘s latest 5-star hotel landmark, the Radisson Blu, are (from left) Radisson Southern Europe and Africa vice president Michel Stalport, vice president of future openings Thomas Hagemann and the man behind the Bay project, Auspex Property head Ban Nyaumwe.

NELSON Mandela Bay‘s new landmark, the Radisson Blu in Summerstrand, is a hive of activity as workers toil through the night to add the finishing touches to what is billed as the city‘s first five-star international hotel.
With about two weeks to go before the glitzy hotel opens its doors to the public in what is known in the industry as a “soft opening” preceding the official launch by about three months, employees have started working around the clock to ensure there are no hitches.

This week Radisson group directors from Germany and Dubai were in the city for one final inspection of the hotel to make sure it was up to international standards.

“I feel excited and vindicated,” said Auspex Property chief executive Ben Nyaumwe, the man at the helm of the project. “ It‘s extremely exciting and I can‘t wait for the public to come and see it for themselves.”

Of the numerous highlights of seeing his “baby” come to fruition – a project many nay-sayers predicted would fail to get off the ground – Nyaumwe said the ground-breaking ceremony was hugely symbolic, while even the mock-up of the hotel in the project‘s early days had been enthralling.

“There have been many highlights,” he said. “But we have brought the biggest and the best hotel group to the city and I can‘t wait for the big official opening. That will be the cherry on the top for me.”

The 18-storey, 175-room hotel will use the soft opening period to iron out any problems while workers add the finishing touches to some of the unopened themed suites, as well as the three plush presidential suites which will take up the top three floors of the hotel and have panoramic views of the Bay.

This week the R5-million state-of- the-art kitchen began a dry run of its menu, catering to the German directors as well as other contractors involved with the construction.

A “test night” is also planned to take place ahead of the soft opening. It will see hotel contractors along with their friends and family accommodated for the night and encouraged to put the staff to the test by doing the unexpected, “like ordering hairdryers at 2am” said Radisson Blu spokesman, Michelle Campbell.

“People thought we were crazy to bring an international brand like Radisson to the Bay.” Campbell said the hotel was already fully booked for the 2010 World Cup.

“Most of our staff are ready and trained. There are 175 staff. Radisson requirements state there must be one staff member per room,” she said.
With the first dinner served at the hotel‘s Italian Filini restaurant earlier this week, Campbell said the hotel‘s bar, restaurant, spa and gym would also be open to the public.

She said the hotel offered several firsts for the city, including modern bathroom pods for each suite which had been manufactured by a German company in Johannesburg, fully assembled, trucked to the Bay and finally hoisted into place by a crane.

Another was the spa which included a soundproof flotation chamber where guests could float in salt water in a pitch-dark, soundless room.

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Bay’s only five-star hostelry kicks off with a full house of ardent rugby fans

2009/06/19
Sipho Masondo BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT

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ELEGANCE ... The Radisson Blu Hotel in Summerstrand has opened its doors to the public. Standing outside the hotel is spokesman Celeste Jacobs. Picture SAM MAJELA

THE 17-storey, R360-million Radisson Blu Hotel – the only five-star hotel in Nelson Mandela Bay – has opened its doors to the public – just in time to host rugby enthusiasts streaming into the city for today‘s big match.

Although patrons may now make use of the hotel, the grand opening is still to come. Hotel spokesman Celeste Jacobs said: “It is a soft opening. The grand opening will be at the end of August to be ready for the summer season.”

She said almost 100 rooms were already operational, and were fully booked for the Southern Kings and British and Irish Lions rugby clash taking place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium today.

The remaining 78 suites, Jacobs said, would be completed within the next few months.

Facilities in the hotel include eight conference rooms, a spa, gym, a restaurant, bar and lounge and a nursery.

“All the rooms have sea views, but obviously the higher up you go, the better the views. It‘s really amazing. It‘s the best thing to ever happen in the hospitality industry in the Port Elizabeth,” Jacobs said, adding that the Bay deserved a five-star hotel.

The Radisson Blu is owned and operated by the Rezidor group, which is based in Belgium, and operates a chain of 323 hotels under the brand names Radisson Blu, Carlson, Park Inn and Regent. The Port Elizabeth property is owned by local entrepreneur Ben Nyaumwe, through his company Auspex Properties.

There are five Radisson Blus in South Africa, one at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, one under construction at Bloubergstrand, Cape Town, two in Sandton, Johannesburg, one of which is still under construction, and now one in the Bay.

Jacobs said the hotel employed about 130 people, which was expected to increase to about 155 once it was fully operational.

All the staff, she said, received in-house training. “Our staff are empowered to make things right for our guests.”

nice project

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Does look to be cool though, despite their "Boxy" desings.