Soft opening of iconic Altair heralds near completion

From left: Indian High Commission Head of Economic and Commercial Wing Dr. Rakesh Panday, Altair Owners Association Chairman Malik Fernando, Board of Investment Chairman Sanjaya Mohottala, Shapoorji Pallonji Lanka Senior General Manager/Country Head T.R. Mallikarjuna, Shapoorji Pallonji Lanka Project Director Singara Velu, Indocean Developers Director Pradeep Moraes, State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Community Cleanliness Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Mayor of Colombo Rosy Senanayake, Ministry of Urban Development and Housing Secretary and Altair Special Authorised Officer Sirinimal Perera, South City Group Kolkata Representative Dr. Nirmal De Silva, Altair Advisor Shamahil Mohideen, South City Projects Kolkata Vice President Manmohan Bagree, Local Architect Athula Amarasekera, Altair Financial Advisor Sudarshan Sri Rayen

Altair, the internationally acclaimed architectural icon, is on the cusp of completion. This breathtaking edifice which has transformed the perception of Colombo from being a dreamy South Asian back water to a pulsating cosmopolitan metropolis is the brainchild of the living legend Moshe Safdie, creator of Marina Bay Sands and the Jewel in Singapore, Tel Aviv’s Holocast Museum, Montreal’s Habitat 67, Kauffman Centre Kansas, amongst others.

The soft opening of the common areas of Altair was held last week under the auspicious of State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Community Cleanliness Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Mayor Rosie Senanayake and Indian High Commission Head of Economic and Commercial Affairs Dr. Rakesh Panday.  

Also present were Ministry of Urban Development and Housing Secretary and Altair Special Authorised Officer Sirinimal Perera, Altair Advisor Shamahil Mofhideen, BOI Chairman Sanjaya Mohottala, Altair Owners Association Chairman Malik Fernando, Indocean Developers Ltd. Director Pradeep Moraes, Southcity Group, Kolkata Representative Dr. Nirmal De Silva, Southcity Projects Vice President Manmohan Bagree, and Shapoorji Pallonji International Country Manager Malliarjuna along with senior officials of UDA, and the syndicate banks, and senior representatives of the contractors, sub-contractors and consultants.

There was a symbolic handover of five apartments to owners selected from those who had completed their full payments at the earliest date, and also to two owners who had been first to book the property. The final completion of ALTAIR albeit delayed is eagerly anticipated and handover of apartments would commence in the next few months.

ALTAIR, a picture postcard representation of Sri Lanka, comprises 404 luxurious apartments with ventilation, light, privacy and the optimally laid out living spaces as its design guidance. The Project is on two acres of land leased from the UDA for 99 years which converts to freehold status upon completion of apartments and the execution of Deeds of Transfer.

A one-of-a-kind architectural and engineering challenge, the construction and finishing of Altair posed many complexities which affected construction schedules and a protracted shareholder dispute further delayed activities. There is now a settlement between shareholders which augurs well for the speedy completion and expeditious handover of this epitome of architectural excellence.

Approximately, 70% of the condominiums have been sold and the developers are confident that on completion, a high percentage of the many expressions of interest that are in the pipeline will convert to sales.

State Minister of Urban Development Coast Conservation Waste Disposal and Community Cleanliness Dr. Nalaka Godahewa lighting the oil lamp

Ministry of Urban Development and Housing Secretary Sirinimal Perera lighting the oil lamp