Mega makeover for Lagos, Nigeria underway
A massive mixed-use development is taking shape off Victoria Island in Nigeria's largest city, Lagos, which will become a new financial hub for West Africa.
The multi-billion pound development, called Eko Atlantic, is a joint venture between the Lagos State government and developers, South Energyx Nigeria, and is being fully funded by private investors, most notably large private banks. The project was designed by MZ Architects and ar+h Architects.
Conceived in 2003 as a solution to the coastal erosion problems suffered by Victoria Island, the project entails reclaiming ten sq km (107, 639 sq ft) of land from the sea to build the new city.
The newly reclaimed section is attached to Victoria Island and will protect it from the Atlantic Ocean by the construction of a barrier wall, called the Great Wall of Lagos. When completed, the wall will be over eight kilometres long and be made of 100,000 interlocking concrete blocks. Almost half the wall has already been constructed.
To be made up of ten districts covering an area roughly the size of Manhattan, the development will have leisure, corporate and residential components. It is expected the island will be home to 250,000 people and have a workforce of 150,000.
Nigeria’s government hopes the project will help alleviate the pressure on the city's infrastructure which is struggling to cope with its burgeoning population. Depending on who you ask, Lagos is home to between eight and 21 million people.
Most of the leisure developments will be located in the Marina and Ocean Front districts. The Marina district will have views of the ocean on one side and of the entrance to the port of Lagos on the other. A promenade will surround the district and be 18 metres wide. There will also be multiple berths for boats and other marine craft.
The Oceanfront district will stretch along the Nigerian coastline with views of the Atlantic Ocean. The coastal promenade will be lined by buildings, many of which will be hotels. It will also have a water park, cinemas, theatres and shopping centres. Both areas are expected to attract several bars, restaurants and cafes.
Parts of the project should reach completion by 2020.
Deepak Chopra-backed wellness resort Ameyalli to open among historic Utah hot springs
Connection, creativity and nature inspire Arizona’s upcoming desert wellness sanctuary Align
Wellness real estate market booming – forecast to reach $913bn by 2028, reports GWI
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
The Isola delle Rose has a rich history and an enviable location. Matteo Thun knew he had to capitalise on both with the design of the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
Ben Channon has written Happy by Design, a new book about how architecture affects our mental health. He explains how we can all be happier at home