Government to Repurpose Hulhumalé Hotel Project into Media Village and Office Space

The Maldivian government has unveiled plans to convert an unfinished hotel project in Hulhumalé into a government office building with dedicated space for a media village. This announcement was made during the 59th Independence Day celebrations.

Originally intended to be a Radisson Blu hotel, the project, launched in 2011 in partnership with the US-based Carlson Group, encountered significant financial and operational difficulties. By 2014, the project had stalled despite a USD 32 million loan secured by STO from Thailand’s EXIM Bank.

In a strategic move, the government has repossessed the incomplete building and is now repurposing it to serve as a multi-functional government office. The new plan includes several floors dedicated to media facilities. This media village will feature studios and production resources tailored for TV stations and other media outlets. The allocated spaces will be available at a nominal rate, with guidelines to be outlined for interested media organizations.

The renovation of the building is expected to be completed within a year, marking a significant upgrade to the infrastructure available for the media sector in the Maldives. This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance media capabilities and provide improved facilities for media operations.

The transformation of the hotel into a media village and office space represents a practical use of an otherwise underutilized asset. By repurposing the structure, the government aims to foster growth and innovation within the media industry while addressing the need for dedicated media facilities.

This development is anticipated to provide a substantial boost to the Maldives' media sector, offering new opportunities and resources that will support its evolution and expansion.