By John Ross – Fiji Sun
Two weeks ago Port Denarau Marina announced plans for a major development on the mainland shore of the harbour.
In a follow up announcement they have unveiled plans to build a new facility adjacent to the current terminal building on the waterfront.
Port Denarau Marina chief executive, Nigel Skeggs, said: “The proposal for a commercial centre at Port Denarau seeks not only to extend the retail space in the Port and provide for a new hotel and apartments.
“It is also to help integrate the waterfront around the Port and Marina.”
The designs for the new buildings are architecturally bold and will elevate the appearance of the whole port to a location worthy of the international super yacht visitors it is attracting in increasing numbers.
The buildings are modeled in such a way that they compliment and sit comfortably with the existing structures and the proposed new Yacht Club on the waterfront close to the super yacht marina berths.
It is proposed the new structures will be four stories high, with a maximum height of sixteen metres, well below the current commercial restriction of twenty metres for the area.
It is believed the new facilities will complement the existing Port Denarau Shopping Centre and provide additional services not currently available in the Port.
The plan
The building will front the current bus parking bays adjacent to the shopping centre car park and extend right out to the waterfront and will cover an area of 2000 square metres with a total floor space of 7400 square metres.
The retail centre area of the commercial centre is designed to connect natural pedestrian traffic between the different facilities within the port area and will give glimpses into the central food court area.
The retail units can be subdivided in any way required by businesses operating in the Centre.
The aim has been to maintain good flexibility of the areas, constrained only by the structure and core elements which support the hotel above.
The retail areas will have a floor height of four and a half metres. Some areas under the hotel pool will be slightly lower but never less than three and a half metres.
It is intended the glazed shop fronts will be animated by lighting and advertising to make the whole area vibrant and exciting, shifting the perception of the Port from its present design.
The hotel
It is proposed that the hotel will be a three to four star operation to provide services for the tourists transiting through the Port.
There will be a small restaurant and a large terrace and outdoor bar which will be open to non-residents as well as guests of the hotel.
The hotel is adjacent to a significant number of restaurants which will provide a wide choice of cuisine styles and levels of service.
The rooms are planned at 25 square metres each, the usual size for international operators for this grade of facility.
All rooms have an en suite shower and all have views of either the marina area or the shopping centre and residential areas.
A large reception area for the hotel is on the ground floor with the entrance facing the bus stand and commercial car park.
As well as the retail areas on the ground floor there is a food court opening out onto the central courtyard.
The roof of the centre is designed as a “green” environmentally friendly feature, a concept that is becoming a requirement in many developed countries worldwide.
The façade of the building will be glass, with glass and stainless steel fins for articulation. Consideration is being given to the use of photovoltaic glass as another environmental benefit.
The hotel rooms occupy the top three floors of the building and the retail and common areas are all placed on the ground floor.
The apartment building
The commercial precinct will also have an apartment building with twelve apartments in total.
Six will be two bedroom and six will be three bedroom and they will range from a hundred and ten to a hundred and twenty-five square metres.
This building is located right on the water front of the Port with views across the marina area and Nadi Bay.
They have their own private entrance, separated from the rest of the commercial building. The design is contemporary using glass, timber and rendered framing.
The placement of the commercial centre, separated from the main area of the Marina and the shopping and entertainment area, provides exclusivity and calmness while still being very conveniently to all the services of the marina.
The views in all directions are interesting and the marina provides an ever-changing area that adds interest to the location.
The hotel has a total floor area on over 2830 square metres, and the shops and food court adds another 1884 square metres.
The separate residential apartment building covers 1720 square metres.
The new Commercial Centre will add excitement and style to the Port Denerau Marina and will enhance the whole experience of tourists and locals who visit the area.
As well as being an addition to the attraction of the Marina, the Centre will be a significant addition to the tourism infrastructure in Fiji.