Historically Canada has been Cubarsquo;s main source of tourists, with over 1.3 million visitors last year. However, until now, Canadian businesses have not made significant investments in this sector.
That situation is about to change as Wilton Properties Ltd., part of Toronto-based Dundee Corporation, is working intensively with both Cuban and international architects and specialists on the development of 2 major tourism and residential projects on the Island. Wilton has 3 joint ventures in Cuba with its partner Gran Antilla S.A., part of the Gran Caribe group, which has more than 45 hotel facilities on the Island.
The first visual arts themed hotel in Havana, Hotel ARTE, will be erected where Malecón meets 5th Avenue, providing a beacon of the rising contemporary art district, located only a few steps from the Fábrica de Arte and the iconic Torreon de la Chorrera, on the Almendares River. The interior design will combine cutting edge works by local artists, with the tower itself fusing the Vedado districtrsquo;s architecture and urbanism.
The 25-story building will feature 280 rooms and 83 suites. In addition to the standard 5* facilities, original art from different eras will be displayed throughout and available for sale in the extensive galleries and at the state of the art auction house. Public spaces will also be a meeting place for international contemporary art aficionados, encouraging an exchange of experiences while promoting up and coming artists. In short, visitors to the Hotel ARTE will live and breathe a unique experience. Another distinctive element of the hotel will be its themed gastronomical cuisine, LED-illuminated faccedil;ade and daily-synchronized light show.
The Hotel ARTE project will have a access to an exceptional local advisory team of curators to ensure that the hotelrsquo;s artistic content meet the highest international standards. This is an extraordinary time to be developing high quality and aesthetically pleasing projects on the island," says Wilton president Guy Chartier.