PROJECT

Projects

Summary of Proposed Investment

Project Number

11321

Company Name

LIETUVA UAB VIESBUTIS

Date SPI Disclosed

Mar 20, 2002

Country

Lithuania

Industry

Tourism, Retail and Property

Projected Board Date

Apr 19, 2002

Status

Completed

Sector

City and Business Hotel

Department

Regional Industry MAS LAC & EUR

Environmental Category

B - Limited

Previous Events

Approved : May 17, 2002
Signed : Jun 26, 2002
Invested : Sep 12, 2002

Project Description

The proposed project consists of the refurbishment and repositioning of Hotel Lietuva. The hotel, which targets the conference market currently underdeveloped and underserved in Vilnius, will be operated by Reval Hotel Group, a leading mid-market hotel operator in the Baltics. Opened in 1982, Hotel Lietuva was originally designed as a landmark hotel with 324 rooms on 18 floors, but has suffered from insufficient maintenance and a lack of upgrading. The refurbished hotel will have approximately 275 rooms, as well as restaurant, bar, conference and banquet facilities. The sponsor plans to renew all of the internal infrastructure and upgrade all common areas and the façade. The renovation is expected to start in the second quarter of 2002 and to be completed within 12 months.

The renovation of Hotel Lietuva will create high quality mid-market accommodation for business and tourism development in Lithuania, fostering a conference market that will support related industries such as restaurants, retail, and transport, as well as suppliers to the hotel. The project is also expected to bring social and economic benefits in the surrounding area, which the city of Vilnius has targeted for extensive commercial development.

IFC''s role in the proposed project is to provide long-term financing which is not currently available in Lithuania at a reasonable cost, and to mobilize additional capital, fostering foreign direct investment flows into the country. IFC’s presence will help ensure that the environmental and fire and life safety standards of the refurbished hotel conform to World Bank Group guidelines.

Sponsor / Cost / Location

Development Impact