Latest Super-prime Luxury Residences in Sri Lanka’s Capital Being Launched Internationally

WelcomHotels Lanka (Private) Limited, Sri Lanka, a wholly owned subsidiary of ITC Ltd., India, is undertaking the global launch of its residential development Sapphire Residences, a collection of 132 uber-luxury apartments and penthouses designed by YOO Inspired by Starck. The international launch will take place at London’s Dorchester Hotel on Wednesday 14th November in the presence of Her Excellency Manisha Gunasekera, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Taking centre stage on the prestigious Galle Face oceanfront, in the ceremonial heart of Sri Lanka’s capital city, Sapphire Residences is set to redefine vertical residential living in the Indian Ocean region. Sapphire Residences provides some of the largest apartments available in South Asia, averaging 5,000 sq. ft. of living space, with two impressive 19,000 sq. ft. penthouses. It also includes a spectacular private Residents’ Club offering over 40,000 sq. ft. of leisure amenities.

Designed by the US architectural firm Gensler to become a globally recognised landmark for the City of Colombo, there are two distinctly illuminated residential and hotel towers, rising 224 metres and 140 metres respectively, which connect at the 19th and 21st floors by a spectacular sky bridge, complete with infinity pools on top and a jazz lounge under them. Gensler designed each tower using an innovative triangular plan, to maximise uninterrupted breath taking views from each apartment across the Indian Ocean, the Beira Lake and the city. Engineered with no external supporting walls, uninterrupted light flows into every residence, accentuated by almost 4 metre floor to ceiling heights (c.5 metres in the penthouses).

Sapphire Residences is YOO Inspired by Starck’s first project in Sri Lanka. Integrating concepts traditional to the serendipitous nature of Sri Lanka with modern styles, the design team led by Philippe Starck has created four distinct interior packages, giving residents the opportunity to create homes that suit their individual tastes and lifestyles, with local materials and art playing an important role in each concept:

• Nature – Harmonious and free airy rooms with white oak floors and light fabrics;
• Culture – An artistic revolution. Richer and darker materials set in spaces designed to socialise and engage;
• Minimal – Smooth, white and tranquil. Pure and simple layouts designed to enhance space and light;
• Classic – Timeless appeal, Interiors that are refined, sleek, with strong colour ways and dark wood finishes.

Honoured this month with a Lifetime Achievement Award at Sri Lanka’s first India Design Forum (IDF) event, Philippe Starck commented: “I wanted to create a place that draws people together, that makes them laugh, make them more in love, more sparkling, more intelligent. I wanted to create fertile surprises to awake people, to create conversations, to create interactions. A place where Us humans are at its heart.”

With extensive landscaping throughout the complex, the drop-off areas, lobbies and retail components are elevated to the second level, whilst at the fourth level above there is a pool deck overlooking the ocean, for the exclusive use of residents. Amenities include swimming pools, cinema, residents’ lounge and library, outdoor amphitheatre, full-service spa (with steam, sauna and treatment rooms), gymnasium and fitness centre, yoga room, squash court, indoor multi-purpose sports court, function rooms, ‘hobby’ studio, Teens’ and Kids’ lounges and a lawn play area.

Residents will also benefit from access to a wide range of 5 Star hotel services from the adjacent ITC One Hotel which will be a member of ITC Hotels, a leading luxury hotelier in the region. The hotel tower is crowned by a helipad (the only one being built in the vicinity) that can not only be used by VIPs, guests and residents, but also be used to meet medical and other emergencies and evacuation needs in the area.

Each apartment will be pre-wired to enable the fitting of Home Automation Systems, bringing a state of the art ‘internet of things’ (IOT) experience to a sublime environment and placing control at its occupants’ fingertips. Serviced from a dedicated central control panel in each residence, the system can also be controlled and managed from a tablet or mobile phone and is designed to standards that allow it to evolve in line with technological advances in future. Voice recognition equipment can be integrated with the room controls and AV systems, allowing a superlative digitally controlled home automation experience.

WelcomHotels Lanka (Private) Limited is dedicated to delivering the finest and greenest residential and hotel complex in Colombo. This exceptional development has already achieved the prestigious and globally respected LEED® BD+C (Core and Shell Development) pre-certification at the highest Platinum level. The company’s commitment and ethos guarantee a truly magnificent luxury residential development with 5 star hospitality services, all created around the unwavering principles of ‘Responsible Luxury’ and ‘Enduring Value’.

Currently under construction with completion expected in 2021, Sapphire Residences apartments and penthouses are available from US$1.4 million. Worldwide sales services are being provided by Sri Lanka Sotheby’s International Realty through the Sotheby’s International Realty network.

For further information contact +94 11 787 7777 or visit www.sapphireresidences.lk.