Tuesday, 23 June 2020, Colombo: Colombo’s newest landmark on Galle Face Centre is once again a hub of activity as construction gets back into swing following the lifting of the lockdown. The Sapphire Residences and the ITC One Hotel development has resumed construction in full compliance with health and hygiene guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Health to ensure safety of the construction crews onsite. A host of safety measures such as thermal screening, medical checks, frequent hand washing, wearing face masks and face shields, and social distancing will be strictly adhered to in keeping with the official protocols from local health authorities.
“We are pleased to announce that work on site has recommenced enthusiastically. Right through the lockdown, our team has worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the construction teams, while simultaneously ensuring that our supply chain is ready to spring into action as soon as we received the green light,” comments Arun Pathak, Managing Director of developer WelcomHotels Lanka (Private) Limited. “Despite the challenging economic and industry conditions over the past months, we have been using this recent downtime to revisit and re-plan construction activities to ensure that we deliver the project as fast as is humanly possible. Above all, as this is a flagship project by WelcomHotels Lanka Pvt. Ltd, a 100% subsidiary of ITC Ltd. India, we are committed to delivering the same high quality and sustainable project that we promised to our valued customers. This is perhaps Sri Lanka’s most ambitious luxury lifestyle project.”
Mr. Pathak adds that the development will create over 1,200 jobs, investing more than US$0.4 billion and working with over 200 local businesses to help to support Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. “We have full confidence in the potential of the construction industry and the wider economy to reach its potential in due course of time.”
Scheduled for completion in 2021, the new development comprises the majestic 224-metre tall Sapphire Residences tower set alongside the 140-metre high ITC One Hotel. The two towers are connected by the spectacular Ahasa One Sky Bridge sky bridge at the 19th to 21st level, complete with infinity pools on top and a jazz lounge within. As a mixed-use project, the development will also consist of offices available for lease/rent, high-end retail spaces and recreational and commercial amenities, becoming a hub for an enhanced lifestyle.
With the environment playing an increasingly relevant role, Sapphire Residences is set to be the city’s most sustainable residential development, having achieved the prestigious and globally respected LEED pre-certification at the highest Platinum level being LEED BD+C (Core and Shell Development) pre-certification rating and ensuring the lowest environmental impact of any building on this scale.
Global real estate firm Sri Lanka Sotheby’s International Realty is handling the global sales for Sapphire Residences. Prospective buyers can visit them at The Sapphire Residences Experience Centre at 21, Galle Face Centre Road, Colombo 01.