FACT Hangs a 'To Let' Board Outside its Guest House

FACT Hangs a 'To Let' Board Outside its Guest House

KOCHI: In a bid to turn its fortunes around to overcome its financial burden, loss-making public sector fertiliser company FACT is  set to lease out Ambalamedu Guest House, one of the high-value properties of the company.

The company has invited expression of interests to lease out the guest house.

Located inside 1,600 acres of natural forest, the 50,908 sq ft Ambalamedu Guest House is built on an island of 40 acres surrounded by an artificial lake of around 165 acres on the campus of FACT Cochin Division, some 35 km from Cochin International Airport and 16 km from Ernakulam Railway Station, offering  the feel of being in a forest while close to urban amenities.

The plan is to lease out the guest house and the surrounding 30 acres of land with access to the lake for 30 years which can be renewed on completion of the period. FACT is expecting a monthly income of `1 crore from the deal.

A magnificent building complex and a synthesis of modern and traditional Kerala style architecture, the 48-room guest house  has two suites and two auditoriums.

‘‘The natural ambience of lush green, densely wooded landscape surrounding the building makes it ideal for camping, trekking, and jungle shack. The guest house can be developed as hotel resort, therapeutic retreat/ luxury rehabilitation/rejuvenation centre, holiday retreat, spa resort or a corporate/VIP guest house,’’ said FACT authorities.

Inaugurated in 1970, the guest house has been lying vacant and idle on most of the days except for occasional in-house industrial seminars and workshops. Though the company which takes over the guest house will have to develop it as a hotel, no structural changes in the building will be allowed. The company will also have to give an assurance that its activities do not cause any adverse impact on the biodiversity in the surrounding area and pollute the water in the lake.

 Though FACT had invited a similar expression of interest a few years back, the project did not take off as there were not many who were interested in it. Reason? The short lease period never caught anyone’s fancy.

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The New Indian Express
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