Investors launch N4b renovation of Enugu Hotel Presidential

A NEW era is dawning on the Coal City, for the Hotel Presidential, with a new plan by a team of private investors to transform the former pride of eastern Nigeria, after Enugu State government granted concession to E-Hospitality Services Limited (EHSL).

If all goes according to schedule, the hospitality industry should be welcoming a major new player before the end of second quarter in 2017, as EHSL special purpose company – Prime View Hotels Limited intends to engage a suitable international hotel management company to operate the hotel post renovation.

The Enugu Hotel Presidential was one of the first iconic buildings built post-independence as part of the Eastern government’s industrialization plan created under the late Dr. Mike Okpara.  With a unique offering of recreational and lifestyle elements, the hotel quickly became a popular destination for Nigerians and foreign visitors.

At the time it was open to the public, the Hotel offered 100 rooms on four floors with recreational facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts and a nightclub considered best in class.

Many people growing up in Enugu and other eastern states have fond memories of Sunday lunch in the hotel’s restaurant as well as attending functions in the grand ballroom.

These memories however quickly fade once the reality of the hotel’s current state of disrepair is revealed. The collapses of the pride of the East led the Government of Enugu state to concession the hotel and upgrade it to world class standards expected to cost over N4 billion naira.

The hotel sits on prime land within the Independence Layout Enugu and is approximately 15 minutes by car from the Enugu International airport.

But many years of poor management, particularly during the many years of military rule, culminated in a complete rundown of the hotel and subsequent closure of the once iconic facility.

The private investors plan reconfiguring and modernising the existing hotel facilities such as restaurants, conferencing facility, outdoor swimming pool, four tennis courts and increasing the stock of rooms from 100 to 150 rooms. In addition a family leisure centre will be incorporated and the number of restaurants and other elements

In a bid to remedy the situation, the current Enugu State Government, sought proposals from private sector investors willing to invest in the redevelopment of the Hotel as well as manage it under an international hotel brand name. After due consideration of a number of proposals from private sector investors,  Extensive research by EHSL shows lack of international standard hospitality services in the South-East.

Given the strong demand for quality hotel, leisure and conferencing facilities in the region EHSL aims to breach this supply gap by providing what would be undoubtedly the premier business and leisure facility in the South-East zone when completed.

EHSL also expects that with the growing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flowing into the zone and the commencement of direct international flights into Enugu airport and significant foreign traveler traffic; the Hotel is expected to become the destination of choice.

Enugu is strategically located, being approximately an hour’s drive from the state capitals of Anambra, Abia, Imo and Ebonyi and about ninety minutes from Port Harcourt.

The Hotel when completed will play a key role in facilitating business and socio-economic activities across the South-East and South-South zones. Specifically, Prime View Hotels Limited has since taken possession of the facility and concluded preliminary surveys and assessments including a structural integrity test carried out by Sanni Ojo and Partners, a leading firm of structural engineers.

The results of the tests have been positive. In line with the forgoing, EHSL has assembled a team of world-class design and engineering consultants and produced a redevelopment concept.

A contractor has also been mobilised to the site and has commenced the stripping of the Hotel in preparation for the redevelopment works.

The proposed redevelopment concept involves reconfiguring and modernising the existing hotel facilities such as restaurants, conferencing facility, outdoor swimming pool, four tennis courts and increasing the stock of rooms from 100 to 150 rooms.

In addition a family leisure centre will be incorporated and the number of restaurants and other elements increased in line with the requirements of the preferred hotel manager. It is expected that the main contract for the redevelopment will be awarded in fourth quarter of 2015.