Sochi to become international destination

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(image from www.sochi2014.com)

February 5, 2008, 23:17 The Russian government has finalised the legal framework for the Sochi 2014 Olympics. President Vladimir Putin says the ambition is to make the Black Sea resort an international destination after the games finish.

President Putin has met officials responsible for the preparation of the 2014 Olympics at the Black Sea resort.

He stressed the sports facilities should be built using cutting-edge technology and ecologically safe materials, and urged Sochi to compete with the best winter-sports resorts around the world.
 
“The projects are really ambitious and large scale even compared to the highest international standards,” Putin said.
 
He also emphasised that the most important thing is to make sport available to the masses.

“There will be nine big facilities across the country and schools for gifted children who might become our future champions. We are also planning local facilities in 30 regions and if all this is done, we’ll have an excellent platform there for developing sport for everyone, as well as professional sport,” Putin said.

The Governor of the Krasnodar Region, Aleksandr Tkachev, calls this project a political one. To him, Sochi’s Olympics are not only about building facilities, but also about building strong characters.
 
It is hoped that 2014 Winter Olympics will promote sports among Russian youth.

The 2014 Winter Paralympics will also be hosted by Russia and President Putin said special attention should be paid to the creation of conditions for people with limited physical abilities.

“Unfortunately, Russian cities are not very suitable for such needs. I would like to emphasise that in Sochi we should not only use existing international experience but also improve on it,” Putin added.

The authorities have $US 12 billion to spend and at least 234 venues to build - not only sports facilities, but also hotels, power stations, and infrastructure.

Most experts agree the cost might increase. Some of the facilities might be moved due to environmental concerns, and some of the land needed for construction is privately owned. The local authorities will have to provide compensation.

“Of course, all buildings to be demolished will be bought at the market price, according to the Olympic law. We have created an independent estimate commission and it will offer either money or a new accommodation - it’s up to the owner,” said Krasnodar Region Governor, Aleksandr Tkachev.

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Russia in Miniature to Rise from the Black Sea

by Steve Levenstein, January 14, 2008

 

Dubai's artificial islands are about to get a little competition: a miniature "Russia" in the Black Sea off Sochi, Russia, that will house athletes for the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

With the 2014 Winter Olympic Games at Sochi, Russia still over 6 years away, the city's planning committee isn't wasting any time... they've asked a consortium of Japanese companies to help build a massive 350-hectare island complex - shaped like Russia - in the Black Sea to house Olympic athletes.



Since Sochi won the right to host the 22nd Winter Olympics, property prices have risen as much as 40 percent, making the estimated $6.2 billion cost of "Federation Island" seem like a very good investment. Post-games plans for the group of 10 artificial islands include apartments and villas for up to 25,000 residents.

The project is seen by both Russia and Japan as a unique way of improving relations between the two nations. "Japan's participation and their technology is particularly interesting to Russia," stated Aslan Atabiyev, head of the Russian-Japanese business council in Tokyo recently. Japanese construction firms have earned an international reputation for building in earthquake prone areas, and the Sochi region in southern Russia does indeed have a "shaky" history.

The project will also provide much-needed work for Japanese builders hurt by the country's lingering economic doldrums and reduced government spending on public works projects. (via Trendhunter and Moldova.org)

Steve Levenstein
Japanese Innovations Writer

Japanese firms will help build artificial islands in the Black Sea

Japanese firms will help build artificial islands in the Black Sea off the Russian resort city of Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics, a report said Friday.

Aslan Atabiyev, head of the Russian-Japanese business council, told reporters in Tokyo, that Japan's participation and their technology is particularly interesting to Russia, which lacks the expertise to construct such islands in areas with high seismic activity, RIA Novosti reported.

Sochi has been chosen as the venue for the Winter Olympics, Feb. 7-23, 2014.

Atabiyev said the project calls for building more than 10 islands for housing Olympic facilities.

Former Japanese Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma, who heads the country's committee for the promotion of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, was quoted as saying he hoped the project would help improve relations with Russia.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International


Publication date: 11 January 2008    

Sistema-Hals and Saraya to develop Saraya Sochi on the Black Sea of Sochi, Russia

Sistema-Hals OJSC has announced its strategic partnership with Saraya, to develop Saraya Sochi on the Black Sea in Sochi, Russia.

Sistema-Hals OJSC (LSE, MICEX, RTS: HALS), one of the largest diversified real estate companies in Russia and the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), has announced its strategic partnership with Saraya, a real estate development and asset management company that invests in the travel and tourism industry.

Saraya, through a wholly owned subsidiary has acquired 50% of the current mixed-use resort project on the site of the former Kamelia Hotel in Sochi. The existing development stretches over 6.3 hectares located uniquely in the central Sochi area.

Sistema-Hals and Saraya have come together to redevelop this site and turn it into another Saraya world-class destination. Saraya Sochi is envisioned to be a modern resort, including a high-end luxurious 5-star hotel and club-style apartments. It will also have beach access and luxurious beach amenities. The project will comprise approximately 95,000m² of built up area.

'Saraya is proud to announce its partnership with Sistema-Hals to develop Saraya Sochi as we consider Russia as a promising travel and tourism destination. In Saraya, we turn untapped locations into luxurious tourist destinations and we intend to showcase our involvement in Sochi, by developing a cutting edge mixed-use resort that welcomes tourists, visitors as well as investors to the host city of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games' said Mr. Ali Kolaghassi, Vice Chairman and CEO of Saraya Holdings.

'This project will enable us to combine our real estate development experience with Saraya's financial resources and the know-how in resort construction and management industry to build a world-class resort in Sochi' says Sistema-Hals President Mr. Felix Evtushenkov.

The project sits on a unique green hill site overlooking a breath-taking view of the Black Sea. The project is a mixed-use resort on the beach front of the Black Sea, consisting of a five star hotel and residential units as well as entertainment and retail facilities.

The hotel, which will be managed by a leading hotel operator, will contain at least 200 rooms equipped with the latest technologies built according to the highest standards. The hotel will also include a conference hall in Sochi that will host the main business, political and cultural activities in Southern Russia.

The residential units will include over 400 open-plan elite and business-class apartments in a tower with cutting-edge design and several low-density buildings spread out within the forested hill side.

Saraya Sochi will also house a premium sports and health centre with covered tennis courts, swimming pools, spa, solarium, sauna facilities, sports hall and fitness bar. The beach will be completely redesigned to include a summer restaurant, luxury relaxation and leisure facilities, retail kiosks, and areas for sports and games. The project will mostly preserve the forested areas including the over 100-year old trees dotting the spectacular landscape on the shoreline of Sochi.