Hotel investors say delays threaten future of historic building

Developers behind a proposed N$220 million boutique hotel on Swakopmund's historic Erf 989 say a prolonged approval battle with the National Heritage Council is placing the former municipal building and post office at risk, warning that continued delays could accelerate its deterioration.

The issue was raised again at the Swakopmund Residents Association annual general meeting last week, where project shareholder Quintin Simon said the development remains stalled despite multiple submissions, consultations and appeals over nearly two years.

Simon said the company submitted an appeal to the minister in January after an earlier rejection by the Heritage Council but has yet to receive a formal response.

He said the developers were subsequently encouraged to re-engage with the council through a fresh consultation process, including public participation and technical presentations on how the historic façade would be preserved.

“Six months later we are sitting with exactly the same situation,” Simon said.

Simon said the developers met Heritage Council representatives on several occasions, including a face-to-face meeting earlier this year, during which they outlined plans to retain the building’s historic street-facing façade. He said this approach was detailed in multiple submissions and presentations.

Simon argued that private redevelopment may be the only realistic way to preserve buildings of this nature.

In correspondence with the Swakopmund Municipality, Simon reported that a window had recently allegedly fallen from its frame onto a public sidewalk due to the building’s condition.

The developers maintain that extensive internal alterations are required to meet modern fire, health and safety standards and make the property suitable for hospitality use.

Project investor Rakhat Darmesh previously told Namibian Sun that the building’s heritage value was the primary reason for acquiring it.

Highest protection

The National Heritage Council, however, remains opposed to the current proposal.

Speaking to Namibian Sun on Monday, built heritage officer Jurgen Kuhanga said the council’s objection centres on the extent of demolition proposed within the structure.

“The main reason is because he’s demolishing 90% of the building,” Kuhanga said.

He rejected suggestions that the proposal mainly affects later additions to the property.

“He’s not talking the truth then, because he’s talking about new additions that he’s demolishing, but he’s not talking the true reflection on site, that he’s demolishing 90% of the building,” Kuhanga said.

The developers reject that characterisation, saying they have never denied that most of the interior would be removed and have consistently stated that only the façade would remain.

Kuhanga said the council's position is that redevelopment should incorporate substantially more of the existing structure.

According to Kuhanga, the issue extends beyond Erf 989 itself.

“We want to set precedent for this, because what we do now is set precedent to other developers to demolish buildings.”

He noted that the former municipal building carries an A98 grading, one of the highest heritage classifications in Namibia.

“It means it’s got the highest protection,” Kuhanga said.

While the developers argue that delays threaten the building’s future, the Heritage Council maintains that preservation and development must go hand in hand.

“Development should run in hand, co-exist with the existing building,” Kuhanga said.

The project has been referred to as the Atlantix Hotel during the planning process, although the developers say this is only a working title and not necessarily the final name of the hotel.