The Ascott Limited is set to make landfall for the first time on the African continent as the Singapore-based serviced residence provider has secured contracts to manage two properties in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
The 220-unit Ascott 1 Oxford Street Accra will open in phases from 2019, while the 40-unit Kwarleyz Residence will open in 4Q 2018.
Ascott chief executive officer Lee Chee Koon said: “We are excited to close a record year of growth for Ascott with the successful addition of another continent, Africa, to Ascott’s global footprint. Ascott added 18 new cities across nine countries and secured a record of over 21,000 units in 2017. This is not only twice the increase in 2016, but also Ascott’s largest ever portfolio expansion in a single year. As these properties progressively open and stabilise, we can expect more fee income contribution to Ascott annually. Ascott is set to surpass its target of 80,000 units well ahead of 2020 as we continue with this growth trajectory, expanding through strategic alliances, management contracts, franchises and investments.”
Lee added: “Ascott has been managing world-class serviced residences globally for the last 30 years and we see huge opportunities to bring Ascott into Africa, the world’s second fastest-growing economy after Asia. Africa’s economic growth is fuelled by massive infrastructure development, favourable investment policies and a young population. Ascott is bringing an internationally renowned, well-loved brand to the heart of Accra, the capital of Ghana. We expect strong demand from the influx of business and leisure travellers as foreign direct investment continues to increase rapidly in this economic and administrative hub.”
Ascott country manager MEA and Turkey Vincent Miccolis said: “The serviced residence industry in Africa has significant untapped potential. Managing Kwarleyz Residence gives us quick time-to-market as it is already under development, while we design our second property under our premier Ascott The Residence brand, which will offer top business executives luxurious living in an exclusive environment. Ascott 1 Oxford Street Accra will be one of the tallest towers in Accra, within walking distance to the financial district, recreational and retail outlets, while Kwarleyz Residence is in an upscale residential area surrounded by embassies. With the properties’ prime locations and Ascott’s award-winning hospitality, both properties will be a huge draw for business and leisure travellers.
Ascott 1 Oxford Street Accra (opening from 2019)
Located along Oxford Street in Osu, Accra’s business, entertainment and commercial hub, Ascott 1 Oxford Street Accra is about a 15-minute drive from Kotoka International Airport with easy access to the other parts of the city via public transportation. The serviced residence is about a 10-minute walk to the business district and a variety of amenities including restaurants, banks, entertainment outlets and supermarkets. Ascott 1 Oxford Street Accra will offer a total of 220 units spread over two towers, which will open in phases from 2019.
Ascott 1 Oxford Street Accra will be one of the tallest towers in Accra. Soaring at 230 feet above ground, the serviced residence will provide views of the city. It will offer a range of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Guests will enjoy facilities such as a gymnasium, outdoor swimming pool, breakfast lounge, residents’ lounge, business centre, meeting rooms, spa and sky bar.
Kwarleyz Residence (opening 4Q 2018)
Located in the upscale residential area of the Cantonments district, Kwarleyz Residence is surrounded by embassies and the headquarters of gold mining companies. About a five-minute drive from Kotoka International Airport, the property is within easy access to the Marina Mall at Airport City and Tema Industrial City, via the Motorway. The 40-unit serviced residence will offer studio, one- to three-bedroom apartments. Its facilities include a breakfast lounge, gymnasium, outdoor swimming pool, roof garden, sky bar and parking lots.
The International Monetary Fund forecasts that Africa’s economy will be the second-fastest growing in the world with an annual growth rate of 4.3% from 2016 to 2020. According to the World Economic Forum, with a current population of over one billion, Africa will be home to the world’s largest working-age population in less than two decades.
The World Travel & Tourism Council expects the tourism industry in Ghana to expand by 5.6% in 2017 and maintain an annual growth rate of 5.1% from 2017 to 2027, and that the country will attract over two million international tourists in 2027.
Ascott has embarked on an aggressive expansion this year as it acquired an 80% stake in Synergy Global Housing, an accommodation provider in the U.S., and increased its stake in Quest Apartment Hotels to 80% to establish itself as the largest serviced residence provider in Australasia. Coupled with other investments and management contracts, Ascott’s portfolio has increased from more than 51,000 units at the end of last year to close to 70,000 units.
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