Newsletter_August 2006

Five star Taj Hotel to bring Eastern luxury to St George's Mall

The announcement of the Eurocape partnership with Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) to develop Cape Town's newest addition in luxury hotel accommodation was announced on Monday 12 June. The five-star hotel will form part of the Mandela Rhodes Place lifestyle complex in Cape Town's CBD.

From left - Raman Dhawan director of Tata Africa, Frank Gormley Chairman of Eurocape and Raymond Bickson, International Managing Director of the Taj Hotel Group shake on a done deal.

Mr. Raymond Bickson, Managing Director and CEO of Indian Hotels Company Ltd., said the decision to invest here is based on South Africa's status as the forerunner in tourism and hospitality in Sub-Saharan Africa: "The country has been growing rapidly as a tourist destination, with tourism being one of the government's key economic drivers. We want to leverage the potential of the market and Cape Town is recognized as the most developed tourist market in South Africa."

"We are delighted to partner with Eurocape in our introduction into South Africa. With our combined experience, Cape Town will soon be able to add a world-class product that promises a truly high-end luxury experience to its tourism offering," Bickson added.

Adds Frank Gormley, Chairman of Eurocape and sister company Howard Holdings in Europe, "Working in partnership is the Howard Holdings and Eurocape philosophy and we are very pleased to be involved with such a major global partner in this exciting second phase of the Mandela Rhodes Place development. With a legacy and experience dating back to 1903, Taj Hotels are the perfect choice to bring the royal tradition of Indian hospitality to South Africa."

The new luxury hotel forms phase two of the Mandela Rhodes Place development and will cater mainly for the leisure tourism market. The hotel will comprise 174 luxury hotel rooms and 20 luxury residences and will be developed within two heritage buildings including the landmark Old Reserve Bank building, the Board of Executors building and the old Cape of Good Hope Bank building, which are flanked by St George's Mall, Wale Street and Adderley Street. The hotel is within walking distance of many of Cape Town's major tourist and cultural attractions and rooms will overlook Cape Town's cityscape, the Company's Gardens and Table Mountain.

Construction will commence in September 2006 and the project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2008.

The changing face of the inner city : Artists impression of the Taj Hotel

A Memorable Occasion

Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka addresses more than 650 guests

The Honorable Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Frank Gormley share a moment at the Ball

Frank Gormley and Irish Deputy Prime Minister enjoy the evening

The inaugural St Patrick's Ball held in the Company's Garden on Saturday the 18th March celebrated the traditional Irish holiday in grand style and is set to become a key annual event on Cape Town's social calendar. The ball celebrated the growing partnership between Ireland and South Africa, and served to formally launch the St Patrick's Trust. More than 650 guests attended the lavish ball, including a host of dignitaries, ministers and ambassadors. The guest list included South African Deputy President Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Ms Mary Harney.

The Irish are well known for their indomitable party spirit and they didn't disappoint with the spectacular evening continuing well into the early hours of Sunday morning.

Table bookings for the 2007 St Patrick's Ball will open from August 2006. Please contact Lauren Urquhart on 021-426-4759 to discuss these or sponsorship opportunities available on the night.

The St Patrick's Ball was the inaugural fundraiser with proceeds providing the seeding for the newly established St Patrick's Trust. The trust will support community based enterprise and poverty alleviation schemes in South Africa, through grants and guidance. The trust got off to a flying start with R1.2 million raised through a live charity auction by Jonathan Smiedt of ClareMart Auction Group.

An Investment Seminar coinciding with the St Patrick's Ball explored Irish-South African business links, and was attended by prominent representatives of the Irish and South African business, political and cultural communities. The seminar was one of several events held over a number of days culminating in the gala ball. Frank Gormley set the scene, commenting that Cape Town had become the destination of choice for 40 000 Irish tourists each year. In addition, Irish nationals have for centuries settled in Cape Town, and the Irish community maintains a strong presence in the city.

"New relationships and new trade links with Ireland have proven to be highly successful to South Africa's trade industry. As Ireland's biggest African trading partner, investment into South Africa from Irish companies has seen steady growth over the past decade with total trade currently valued at more than 400-million Euro (R2.9-billion)."

Eurocape attended the 2006 SAPOA conference which was held at the ICC in Durban during May 2006. Eurocape, Howard Holdings and Howard Housing Solutions took a substantial space and were all represented. The conference proved a great success, with Eurocape winning 1st place for the best designed stand. Many enquiries have been received since the event.

The first pressing of wine grapes in Central Cape Town is history in the making, centuries after Jan van Riebeek allegedly planted vines in the Company Gardens. Jean-Vincent Ridon's Signal Hill Winery has swung into action and the barrel cellar is already showing signs of becoming a popular tourist attraction. Watch out for that Signal Hill Shiraz in a few years time...