Eden Project signs deal for £150m Qingdao attraction
Sir Tim Smit’s Eden Project is making a giant leap to realising its first overseas attraction, following a trade meeting between the British and Chinese governments.
During the three-day trade mission to promote Prime Minister Theresa May’s vision for a “global Britain”, David Hardland, Eden Project chief executive signed an agreement with Zhao Lintao of China Jinmao Holdings, setting out terms for a future development in Qingdao.
Including the design, construction and operation of the planned £150m (US$213m, €170.8m) attraction, Eden Qingdao will follow the theme of water and will as its centrepiece feature the world’s largest indoor waterfall - roughly the same size as Niagara Falls at 50m (164ft) high.
“This is a huge development in the history of the Eden Project and the biggest step we have yet taken towards opening an Eden Project in China,” said Harland.
“We are very excited about the possibilities for this attraction and the city of Qingdao and are very pleased to be working with our friends and colleagues at China Jinmao Holdings.”
Following the China launch, there are plans for multiple Eden Project attractions worldwide, with locations in Australia and New Zealand already confirmed. Four other Chinese projects are also in the works. Grimshaw Architects, creators of the original Eden Project, are working on the design for each of these proposals.
In its first 16 years, the Eden Project attracted more than 19 million visitors and generated £1.7bn for the regional economy. In 2016/17, accounts showed a cash surplus from trading of more than £1.6m.
During 2016, four per cent more people than the previous year visited and, for the first time since 2011, Eden welcomed more than one million visitors in a 12-month period.
To cater for the growing demand, the attraction will soon add a 109-bedroom on-site hotel designed by architectural studio Tate Harmer.
The Qingdao project is expected to break ground this year, with an opening date set for 2020. Further overseas projects in the Middle East and Asia are expected to be announced later this year.
Eden Qingdao visitor attraction Eden Project Grimshaw Architects China Jinmao Holdings Theresa May Sir Tim SmitGoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
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
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
The Peninsula London unveils Peter Marino-designed spa inspired by London’s famous parks
First glimpses revealed of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair's subterranean spa retreat
"Architecture is alive" says Ma Yansong, as Shenzhen art museum opens exhibition showcasing work of MAD Architects
Across Denmark, a charity is turning industrial buildings into centres for street sport and art. As the concept prepares to go global, we speak to the people making it happen