Manhattan skyline for Limassol?
Numerous high-rise buildings, comprising commercial and residential properties, are set to dominate the skyline of Limassol; several are already under construction others are in the pipeline.
According to cyprus-property-buyers.com, the Limassol skyline, which already boasts the highest commercial building in Cyprus, is set to be dominated by high-rise buildings in the coming years.
The Oval is currently the tallest commercial building in Cyprus at 16 floors, with 2 underground parking areas and will soon be joined a number of other high-rise developments:
Construction of the ‘Limassol Del Mar’ project on 34,000sq.m. of seafront land at Germasogeia has started. When completed it will provide 168 properties with hotelstyle facilities and services, clubhouse, gym, spa, tennis court, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and high-end shopping facilities. The first phase of the project, which includes 81 apartments and 31 commercial units, should be completed in 2017. The second phase of the project, which includes a 27-floor, 87 apartment building is planned for completion in 2020.
The ‘Halcyon Hotel’ on a 22,912sq.m. beachfront land at Ayia Varvara is expected to be operational in spring 2018. The 5-star hotel complex will consist of 183 rooms, 11 executive suites, 9 apartments and 14 villas.
The ‘iHome’, which is currently being built on 5,942sq.m. of land opposite the Poseidonia Hotel and the Limassol Sailing Club, will provide 28 properties in two tower blocks reaching 82 metres and 70 metres, respectively.
The Four Season Hotel’s 10-floor apartment block that is being constructed next to the hotel will offer a choice of apartments from one-bedroom to a five-bedroom duplex and is expected to be completed shortly.
Planning permission is being sought for a 15-floor tower block and a 16-floor tower block in Germasogeia – and permission is awaited for a twin 25-floor project to replace the Golden Arches Hotel in the Amathunda area.
Meanwhile the Environmental Impact Board is looking at the impact of two buildings of 18 floors and 11 floors for construction on the site of the former Pavemar Hotel. There has been very little (if any) public consultation and concerns over who is going to buy them, their impact on the infrastructure and the general aesthetics of the town.
properties will remain empty for considerable periods and fall into disrepair.”
All said, however, the government’s argument has been that this programme has raised about 3 bln euros for state coffers.
Balancing the risks and benefits, the former Environment Commissioner and presently Greens MP, Charalampos Theopemptou, presented four arguments for and against the rapid development.
Looking at the general situation in Limassol, Theopemptou said that, “first, high rise buildings will result in high concentration of individuals in a small area. In Cyprus with our lack of public transport this will cause huge problems for all the residents in the area. A good public transport system should come before high rise buildings.”
“Second, there must be a carefully selected area where these buildings will be allowed to be built based on a proper