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Development Projects
The latest images of Altair, soon to grace Colombo’s skyline with luxurious living. Scheduled to open in 2018.
Colombo’s architectural marvel Altair has announced that its 400 apartments will have floors finished in Italian Botticino marble, following a decision by the developer to upgrade from marble sourced from Central Asia or the Middle East, as originally proposed.
The upgrade at the developer’s own volition, represents a significant value addition at no extra cost to the buyers of the apartments, and demonstrates Altair’s commitment to exceed customer expectations wherever possible, the company said.
Towards this end, Altair Directors Pradeep Sureka and Pradeep Moraes recently visited quarries and processing facilities in Vincenza, Verona, Brescia and Chiampo in Northern Italy, the home of the best Botticino Marble, to handpick suppliers for the project.
Botticino Marble has very low porosity and ferrous content and is extremely hard and robust, making it ideal for installation in the humid conditions of Colombo.
“Our commitment to customers was to provide marble from Central Asia or the Middle East,” Moraes said on his return to Colombo. “However, we are constantly looking at ways of improving our offering, because Altair is intended to be the benchmark in luxury living in Sri Lanka.”
He said Altair has already pleasantly surprised buyers of its apartments by over-delivering on several promises by offering them numerous value additions including extensive home automation, chilled water air conditioning, double-glazed windows, Duravit sanitary ware from the Philippe Starck designer range, a concierge-serviced Reception with Quintessentially Lifestyle and free hotwater.
“Although about two thirds of the construction has been completed, it is our intention to continue to upgrade our offering wherever opportunities arise,” Moraes added.
Now at its 57th level on the vertical tower and the 53rd on the sloping tower, Altair will on completion comprise of a 63-storey tower which leans into a taller, 68-storey tower. Acknowledged as a game changer in contemporary living in Sri Lanka, the Altair building has already brought a new dimension in aesthetics to Colombo’s skyline. It is intended to be a one-of-its-kind development in South Asia in terms of architectural design, structural engineering, and living experience. Altair will offer its 400 apartments spectacular views of the Beira Lake, the Indian Ocean and the city of Colombo. The development’s 1.5 million square feet of high-end eco-friendly living space will be supported by 40,000 square feet of supportive up-market retail space.
Taken from – Ceylon Today
The latest images of Altair, soon to grace Colombo’s skyline with luxurious living. Scheduled to open in 2018.
National Policies and Economic Affairs State Minister Niroshan Perera (right) answers a question during the Invest Sri Lanka forum held at Sydney’s Shangri-La Hotel yesterday. Others from left: CSE CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike, Fitch Ratings Lanka MD and CEO Maninda Wickramasinghe, Central Bank Director of Economic Research Dr. (Mrs.) Yuthika Indraratne, CSE Chairman Vajira Kulatilaka and SEC Director General Vajira Wijegunerwardane
• Participants urged to recognise ‘promise and potential’ of new SL
• Capital market policies to improve transparency
• Over 150 Australian citizens and companies, other firms as well as diaspora attend forum
• Sri Lankans in Aussie told their investment crucial for driving country forward
Australia’s most populous city Sydney was told yesterday that it was time to invest in Sri Lanka given the future upside supported by progressive policies in place or planned under a unity Government.
This message was conveyed at the ‘Invest Sri Lanka’ forum organised by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in partnership with several stakeholders at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney. Over 150 Australian citizens, companies, other firms and representatives based in Sydney as well as Sri Lankans living in Australia attended the forum.
It was the first in a series of investor promotion conferences to be carried out this week in Australia and New Zealand, a key initiative undertaken for the first time in 12 years.
Chief Guest National Policies and Economic Affairs State Minister Niroshan Perera told the Sydney forum that Sri Lanka was set to enter new territory as it was poised for a renewed drive of growth and progress.
He said the country under the unity Government had progressed in recent times as a result of the commitment to economic and social reform. “The present Government envisions a globally competitive, export-led economy driven by revolutionary thinking and bold policies. We expect to drive the nation towards achieving middle income status, while maintaining a strong focus on sustainable economic growth and good governance,” he said.
“The Government has implemented a number of business friendly policies with a view to strengthening our local economic and business environment,” State Minister Perera added.
Noting that ineffective regulation for the longest time had stifled the economic and business climate as well as employment growth, he said the new Government was well in the process of replacing such regulations.
The forum was told that a new set of investment incentives based on Capital Allowances and a low tax regime were introduced through the 2017 Budget aimed at broadening the scope of Lankan businesses and having a significant impact on investment sourced through domestic and international channels. He also said the targeted outcome was to bring Sri Lanka within the top 70 nations of the Ease of Doing Business Index by 2020.
The importance of Sri Lanka as an Indian Ocean hub in the realm of global logistics and commercial activities was also stressed. The State Minister said an increasing number of businesses and investors are once again looking to Sri Lanka as an investment destination. He also referred to projects such as the Western Megapolis Development and the Colombo International Finance Centre to step up foreign investments, harness Sri Lanka’s strategic geographic location and achieve higher economic growth.
Focusing on capital markets, State Minister Perera said the Government was keen on maintaining integrity and quality by setting a policy framework that will lead to the operation of an open, secure and transparent marketplace.
“Through the 2017 Budget, the Government introduced a number of initiatives that, we believe, are likely to develop the capital markets in the coming years,” he said.
The Sydney forum was also told about Government’s announced plans to introduce a number of non-core businesses to the capital markets and these listings are likely to have a positive effect in terms of sparking market interest among investors and boosting market liquidity.
“A key priority of the present Government headed by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is to regain the confidence of the international community. We are pleased to see a number of positive developments in this regard,” Perera pointed out, highlighting the impending return of GSP Plus benefits from the European Union and rising tourist arrivals.
The State Minister also sent a strong message to the Sri Lankan Diaspora in Sydney in particular and Australia in general.
“Many Sri Lankans who left our motherland during the conflict are actively looking to improve their association with Sri Lanka. The present construction boom driven by Sri Lankans living abroad is an example of such interest and involvement,” he said.
“Such progress is exactly why forums of this nature are of importance, because they play an important role in assisting the Government to reach out to our large and diverse Sri Lankan community overseas. Your ideas and your support are important to our country as we drive the future of our country forward,” the State Minister told the Sydney forum.
He urged participants to recognise the enormous promise and potential of an “emerging new Sri Lanka” built on the foundation of the Government’s new agenda of administrative and economic reforms and ease of doing business.
In that context Perera promised the Government’s continued commitment to facilitating investments and stimulating the establishment of transparent and well-governed institutions.
The Sydney forum and Thursday’s event in Melbourne are timed in the backdrop of Sri Lanka and Australia celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties.
Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Canberra, Australia S. Skandakumar said Australia and Sri Lanka have long shared strong historical ties, common values and interests with trust which has resulted in multiple forms of economic and social cooperation over the years.
Skandakumar said economic and social progress in Sri Lanka seen in recent times has been complemented by a renewed confidence in the country among the international community, especially in Australia. The High Commissioner invited members of the audience to visit Sri Lanka to experience first-hand, the benefits of playing a part in a resilient growth story.
CSE Chairman Vajira Kulatilaka and SEC Director General Vajira Wijegunerwardane in their presentations were also emphatic that the time was opportune to invest in Sri Lanka.
Central Bank Director of Economic Research Dr. (Mrs.) Yuthika Indraratne offered insight into the economic policy direction of the country while Fitch Ratings Lanka MD and CEO Maninda Wickramasinghe presented a macroeconomic overview.
The Sydney forum also featured several leading real estate developments in Sri Lanka contributing in the capacity of event sponsors, including the Colombo Port City (Platinum Sponsor) One Galle Face by Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts (Platinum Sponsor) and the luxury apartment development by Altair (Corporate Sponsor).
The main presentations will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by CSE CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike and a question and answer session with the audience.
The initiative is being held in association with several organisations including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra, Australia, Consul General in Sydney Lal Wickremetunga and Melbourne Prasanna Gamage, the Sri Lanka and Australia Chamber of Commerce and the Sri Lankan New Zealand Business Council.
The last CSE-led investor promotion was held in Australia in 2005. Post-war, the CSE has conducted road shows in New York, London, Singapore, Dubai and Mumbai.
On Wednesday two events will be held in Melbourne at the International Chamber House Melbourne and at the Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley while another will be staged at the Fickling Convention Centre in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday.
For the full article visit FT.lk
The latest images of Altair, soon to grace Colombo’s skyline with luxurious living. Scheduled to open in 2018.
The latest images of Altair, soon to grace Colombo’s skyline with luxurious living. Scheduled to open in 2018.
Colombo’s skyline-defining high-rise development Altair has generated strong interest in Canada following a series of events and meetings in Toronto recently, promoter Indocean Developers reports.
The company was a sponsor of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Canadian Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce and participated in a day-long forum and a gala dinner organised as part of the celebrations. This was the first occasion that a Sri Lankan company had participated in an event of the chamber. Representatives of Altair also had a lengthy meeting with the Sri Lankan High
Commissioner and Consul General in Canada and attended a meeting that the Tamil business community had with the High Commissioner. “The response of the Sri Lankan community in Canada to the project was extremely positive, and we were delighted to be part of a dialogue that focussed on the potential for investment in Sri Lanka,” Altair Director Pradeep Moraes said.
“It was evident that there is renewed interest in developments in the country, which a project such as Altair is particularly well-positioned to tap in to.”
Altair was also featured in interviews on two television stations, TET and ATN and Moraes was invited to be a member of a high-powered panel that discussed investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.
Read the full Article on the Daily Mirror
The latest images of Altair, soon to grace Colombo’s skyline with luxurious living. Scheduled to open in 2018.
A modern-day architectural marvel is taking physical shape before Colombo’s eyes, as Altair’s iconic twin towers rises into the city sky at remarkable speed, a press release stated.
It added that promoter Indocean Developers reports that the building gained six floors in August 2016 — a benchmark given the intricacies of its structural design — and had reached its 32 level by the third week of September”.
“Designed by the celebrated global architectural genius Moshe Safdie, Altair will on completion in 2017 comprise of a 63-storey ‘leaning’ tower and a taller 68-storey vertical tower. It will have 400 luxury apartments that offer spectacular views of the Beira Lake, the Indian Ocean and the city of Colombo”, the release added.
“We are making excellent progress and are on schedule,” said SWA Project Manager and Altair’s Project Management Consultant, J. Domingo.
“Casting six floors in a month while ensuring International Specification Requirements pertaining to quality and safety is a new benchmark in the Sri Lankan construction industry”, he added.
“Altair’s local structural engineer Deepal Wickramasinghe commended the project’s contractor Shapoorji Pallonji Lanka Limited for the feat of building six floors in a month, despite the inherent structural complexities and composite nature of the construction that requires involvement of multiple trades” it added.
“Achieving completion of six floors a month in a masterpiece of its kind, while overcoming the logistic challenges and managing the cultural change involving various stakeholders is indeed a hard task,” Shapoorji Pallonji Lanka Limited, Project Director Baiju Ramakrishnan added. “Our commitment, dedication, hard work and international expertise in high rise construction are the factors that have made this possible”.
“Designed to be a game changer in contemporary living in Sri Lanka, Altair will bring a new dimension in aesthetics to Colombo’s skyline. It is intended to be a one-of-its-kind development in South Asia in terms of architectural design, structural engineering, and living experience. The development’s 1.5 million square feet of high-end eco-friendly living space will be supported by 40,000 square feet of supportive up-market retail space”, the release added.
“Breaking new ground in the local property development market, Altair has installed a 24-hour live stream from its construction site, enabling anyone to monitor progress. The live feed can be accessed via the Altair website www.altair.lk from anywhere in the world. It provides a real-time view of construction work from five different angles, with the views switching every 12 seconds’ it further added.
Extracted from Ceylon Today