The legislative body of the department of Maldonado endorsed the project designed by architect Rafael Viñoly for the Cipriani group, with the plan to revitalize what was the main hotel in Punta del Este for many years, and which was in decline until its sale.
The million-dollar operation generates great expectation in the local population, because the work generates a number of jobs that is necessary in times of economic dificulties.
The Departmental Board of Maldonado approved by 25 votes in favor and 6 councilors against the second project presented by Vignoly, because the first, which included a mega tower of 60 floors had been rejected.
The current project includes the reconstruction of the San Rafael hotel, with more than 100 rooms and adds the construction of two horizontal towers perpendicular to each other with a maximum height of 100 meters, and a third of the originally planned building. That includes hotel, casino, convention center, shopping center, spa and residences, among others.
The Hotel San Rafael has been for decades the proper image of the Playa Brava and was an icon of the postcards of Punta del Este. Founded in 1948 when Punta was a place for a few, the lack of care of the complex made it lose customers, casino license, entertainment center, and was reduced to an operation of 15 of its 135 rooms.
The group led by the Italian businessman Giuseppe Cipriani bought the hotel and hired the prestigious Uruguayan architect for the design of the new complex. Now they have a period of 180 days to start construction, after the Intendancy makes work permits effective.
In addition, it was approved the sale to the investor group of a property of 1,400 square meters owned by the Intendancy that is part of the block where the old hotel is located. The Italian investor must pay US$ 1.6 million for these lands.
Source: GMB / La Nacion (Argentina)
