BANGKOK, 3 October 2019: Centara Hotels & Resorts, together with Taisei Corporation and Kanden Realty & Development, announced a landmark agreement to bring the Centara brand to Japan.
The three companies signed an Investor Agreement for Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, an upper upscale property with 515 keys that will occupy a 34-storey tower on a prime site in Osaka’s Namba district, the centre of leisure tourism for the city and the wider Kansai region.
Centara’s first property in Japan is scheduled to open in mid-2023.
The investment partnership between Centara Hotels & Resorts, Taisei Corporation and Kanden Realty & Development marks Centara’s entry into one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.
Osaka is Japan’s third-largest city, with a population of 2.7 million. Additionally, it is one of the leading Japanese destinations for international visitors, second only to Tokyo, and is considered the cultural heart of the nation.
Along with popular attractions such as Universal Studios Japan and the city’s proximity to Kyoto, Kobe and Nara, Osaka is expected to see a further boost in tourism when the city hosts the World Expo in 2025.
“Extending the Centara footprint to Japan has been a long-term strategic objective for the company, and this is a major milestone for the Centara brand as we have successfully added the 14th country to our portfolio,” said Centara’s CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat. “This an exciting opportunity to partner with Taisei and Kanden Realty & Development, whose outstanding track records have earned leading positions in construction and property development. We are looking forward to making Centara’s debut and ongoing development in other Japanese cities a great success.”
The newly built hotel will occupy a stunning new 34-storey tower overlooking Namba Parks, with 360-degree views of the city. The top floors will include a lounge along with customisable space for meetings and events, plus a rooftop restaurant sky bar providing panoramic views in every direction.
Facilities will include award-winning Spa Cenvaree, a fully-equipped fitness centre, a diverse selection of restaurants and banquet facilities. And the hotel’s spacious lobby will welcome guests with touches of Thai and Japanese style and ambience.
“This project is in Namba, an important and bustling district of Osaka and a place of international exchange. It is directly connected to Kansai International airport, making it one of Japan’s major gateway cities to the world” said Senior Managing Executive Officer, Taisei Corporation, Katsuyuki Kanai. “It is really a significant milestone both to Japan and to Taisei that Centara, representing Thailand in tourism and hospitality, has embarked on this venture in Namba, the perfect location in Japan for the development of an upper-upscale hotel.”
The addition of its first property in Japan is further proof of Centara’s expansion strategy, which calls for doubling the number of properties under its management by 2022. Centara’s expertise, combined with the local market presence and development experience of Taisei Corporation and Kanden Realty & Development, is sure to boost Centara’s Japan market launch toward long-term success.
“As a major Property Development Company based in Osaka, we are honoured to play an important role in this joint investment project to develop Centara Grand Hotel Osaka with such a significant and established Thai partner, Centara Hotels & Resorts, and with Taisei Corporation, who has a long and proven record of success,” stated Managing Executive Officer, Kanden Realty & Development, Munetaka Isoda.
