24 October 2011, Singapore – Earlier this year, the Ogilvy group shifted out of its iconic office at 35 Robinson Road to make way for a new hotel development. This conservation building was built on 1,859 square meters of reclaimed land in 1927. The neo-classical architecture was designed by Architect FG Lundon of Swan and Maclaren for The Cable and Wireless Building as it was known then.
Today, at a signing ceremony, we learned that the Royal Group Holdings, a Singapore-based organization that focuses on the development of hospitality projects at prime locations, will partner with Sofitel Luxury Hotel to redevelop the iconic building and manage the Accor group’s flagship brand Sofitel Luxury Hotel in Singapore for the first time. The total development cost including land cost is S$130 million. The Royal Group has had a longstanding relationship of 18 years with the Accor group. Present at the signing ceremony were Asoka Kumar Hiranandani, Bobby Hiranandani, both from Royal Group Holdings; Michael Issenberg, Accor Asia Pacific Chairman and COO and Markland Blaiklock, Senior Vice President of Sofitel Asia Pacific.
With a growing 25.50-million square feet of office space within the central business district and less than 1,000 luxury business hotel suites in the same area, there is an increasing demand for a wold class accommodation.
The property will have 135 suites ranging from 24 to 140 square feet catering to modern living and the business traveller. The clientele base is expected to comprise corporate travelers aged 30 to 45 and the high end leisure traveller during the weekends.
Taking the Sofitel So property in Bangkok as a comparison which provides an Apple solution to its guests, the property in Singapore is expected to have technology as one of its key experiences. Checking in and out of the hotel using handheld devices at the convenience of the hotel guest can also be expected.
The Sofitel So prides itself in its designer signature. It’s Mauritius property was designed by Kenzo while in Bangkok, Christian Lacroix is its principal designer. The signature for Singapore has yet to be decided but this should be determined in the next three months.
The hotel differentiates itself from similar hotel properties in Singapore such as The Fullerton Hotel and Fullerton Bay Hotel by its French Heritage and elegance, design and location in the heart of the central business district.
The expected blended average room night will be around S$300. I am looking forward to visit the hotel when it opens in early 2013!!
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