Langham Hotels International, which dates back to 1865 in London, is a luxury hotels operator with 50 hotels around the globe. The company is wholly owned by the Great Eagle Group, one of Hong Kong's leading property firms (and which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange).

Based on the preliminary agreement, the Langham Hospitality Group will construct two five-star hotels in Meikarta. The agreement (letter of intent) was signed by Celia Lian, Langham Hospitality Group Development Manager, and Ketut Budi Wijaya, President Director of Meikarta at the Lippo Mall Kemang in South Jakarta on Thursday (10/08).

Ketut Budi Wijaya said the participation of the Langham Hospitality Group fits Lippo's ambition to create a modern, international and high quality city. Lian added that the company will build a luxurious hotel, named Langham, as well as an upscale one named Cordis. Both hotels are expected to be completed within the next five years. Langham Hospitality Group's participation in the Meikarta project is part of its strategy to expand into Asia. Now the letter of intent has been signed, the Group will start focusing on the technical details of the project.

However, it is not the first project for the Langham Hospitality Group in Indonesia. Together with Indonesian property developer Agung Sedayu Group it established the five-star Langham Jakarta located in the heart of Jakarta's central business district, comprising forty-three levels of hotel and apartments. The doors will be opened later in 2017. Also in Bali the Group is eager to open a hotel.

Meikarta, estimated to require IDR 278 trillion (approx. USD $21 billion) in direct investment, is a 500-hectare development project equipped with 100 hectares of open green space, 250,000 units of prime residential property and 1,500,000 square meters of prime commercial space.

Read more: Meikarta, One of Indonesia's Troubled Property Projects?

The Lippo Group will first focus on the development of the 100 hectares Central Park area (inspired by New York's Central Park) that involves a big park with a lake surrounded by apartment towers. The handover of apartment units to buyers could start in 2018 if progress goes according to plan.

Infrastructure and Facilities:

Meikarta
Seven commercial and shopping centers
Healthcare center equipped with international hospital
Financial center
Ten international five-star hotels
National library
Art center including theater and opera
Ten international primary schools
Five international high schools
Three national universities
Center for retail and industry
International exhibition center
Indonesia's Silicon Valley

Five Pillars and Centers of Innovation:

Meikarta
Innovative infrastructure and transportation
Research hub & high technology central business district
Business and commercial hub
Sustainable living (green living)
Artistic, cultural and educational center

Bahas