CONSTRUCTION of the biggest resort in East Africa has resumed. Zanzibar Amber Resort Manager Murtaza Hassanal and the project director of the Pennyroyal (Gibraltar) limited, Saleh Mohamed Said made the announcement and explained unavoidable problems led to the project delays.
The mega resort dubbed ‘Zanzibar Amber Resort’ is being developed in Matembwe coastal village, north of Unguja in Tanzania. The development will be home to five five-star hotels and will comprise an equestrian centre, a private jet airport that will have a 3,000-metre runway, an international school and modern medical facilities that will serve all the customers.
Electricity between 25 and 30 megawatts will be generated at gas and wind energy plants that are set to be built near the mega resort. Apart from the resort construction, the company is looking forward to invest in Corporate Social Responsibility by planning to build a community arts centre so as to promote the culture of the region as well as a police station so as to guarantee the residents good security.
Planning decisions
Pennyroyal Gibraltar, a British architect and developer based in Gibraltar partnered with 3DroneMapping Company in mapping the proposed 2000ha project, orthomosaic images and high resolution DTM mapping which allowed the developers to make accurate and precise cost estimations and spatial planning decisions.
The overall cost of the Zanzibar Amber Resort is estimated at $1.6bn. Phase one construction is scheduled for completion by the end of 2022. It includes construction of the 5-star hotel with at least 50 rooms and a four-room presidential suite, recreational centre, golf course and 60 modern houses for sale in the area. The houses will be sold based on square metres and each square metre will cost $1,600
‘We had unavoidable problems which contributed to the delay of the project. For example, we were supposed to get our lease in 2015, but it was not possible until late 2018,’ Said explained.