Four Seasons Okinawa gets off the ground

Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences Okinawa (Four Seasons Okinawa) held a groundbreaking ceremony at the project site in Onna Village, Okinawa, on Oct 28. The project, which has an estimated gross development value of US$1 billion (RM4.15 billion), will take about three years to complete.

Developed by Berjaya Okinawa Development Co Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berjaya Land Bhd, in partnership with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts (Four Seasons), Four Seasons Okinawa will be the developer’s second hotel on the island.

“We are pleased to continue our successful partnership with Four Seasons for the Four Seasons Okinawa, emulating the success of Four Seasons Hotel and Hotel Residences Kyoto, which has garnered numerous international recognitions and accolades. We will also build a Four Seasons Hotel in Yokohama and we intend to have 10 Four Seasons hotels in Japan,” Berjaya Corp Bhd executive chairman Tan Sri Vincent Tan said in a press statement on Oct 29.

The event was witnessed by Onna Village mayor Nagahama Yoshimi and key representatives from Onna Village and Berjaya Okinawa Development.

Occupying a 35-acre parcel, Four Seasons Okinawa will be a low-density, low-rise resort development with a total of 127 hotel rooms, 124 condominium residences and 28 villa-type private residences. The facilities at the resort will include a mix of epicurean restaurants and bars, a banquet venue, fitness centre and pool, spa treatment, beach club and sports facilities, as well as public grounds and gardens of the highest standard. The low-density layout of the resort will allow guests and homeowners to access every amenity on foot, by bicycle or in a golf cart.

Tan said that given the considerable effort and investment that will go into the design and construction of Four Seasons Okinawa and future property projects in the master plan development, he is confident the huge mixed-use development project in Onna Village will have vast commercial potential and add immense value to the economic development and growth of the island.

“Known as the Hawaii of Japan, Okinawa is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. Coupled with the world-class reputation of the Four Seasons brand, the developer sees a great opportunity in Four Seasons Okinawa as the most exciting luxury resort destination of the highest standards on the island of Okinawa that will contribute significantly to the local economy,” said Berjaya Land CEO Syed Ali Shahul Hameed.

Four Seasons Okinawa is part of a master plan development comprising about 100 acres of beachfront land along the western coast of the island, known as the Sunset Strip, where most of the luxury resorts are located. It is easily accessible by highway from Naha Airport and is near to major tourist attractions.

Berjaya Land had opened ANSA Resort Okinawa in Uruma, the third largest city in Okinawa prefecture, last November.