GHM moved into new territory this month after signing on to develop the Chedi Tomakomai, a 60-room luxury hotel and expansive wellness complex set within 1,057 hectares of lush forest on the island of Hokkaido in northern Japan.Following the agreement between GHM Holdings and Nordenwald Company Ltd., construction on the project will begin in November 2012 with a projected opening date in 2015.
Designed by iconic Japanese architect Tadao Ando, the Chedi Tomakomai will stand as an environment-friendly design on 47 hectares of land, preserving 96% of the surrounding forest.
“The prospect of working with Tadao Ando on this, our first property in Japan, is as compelling as the natural splendor of the site itself,” said GHM President Hans R. Jenni. “With Tadao Ando, we’re after the utmost in elegance from the utmost in simplicity.”
Known as one of Japan’s major breadbaskets and home to six undisturbed national parks, Hokkaido’s natural assets will be reflected in The Chedi’s open-air hot springs, 30-table gourmet restaurant, and health facilities.
Each 60-70 square-metre room in the hotel will have built-in fireplaces and cliff-facing views. A six-room spa, health club, indoor and outdoor pools, library, lounge and wine cellar are all in the blueprints. GHM will also develop 40 private villas for long-term lease.
“Urban dwellers will be enchanted by the serenity and bountiful natural beauty of this property,” said Clement Koh, GHM’s vice president of sales and marketing. “Our vision is a comfortable and exclusive retreat where the recharging takes place in a truly stunning wilderness.”
Designers for The Chedi Tomakomai plan to map three excursion courses for eco-tours and forest therapy. The property will be only minutes from the new Chitose International Airport, Tomakomai Port, and 16 premier golf courses.
Renowned for his minimalist modern aesthetic, active natural elements and expressive use of space and light, Tadao Ando’s involvement with The Chedi Tomakomai is part of GHM’s commitment to partnerships with front-running designers. The group has most recently called on designers such as Kerry Hill, Jaya Ibrahim, Jean-Michel Gathy and Reda Amalou to conceptualise its resorts.
Ando’s Church of the Light, Water Temple and Benesse House Museum / Naoshima (Contemporary Art Museum) in Japan have established him as one of the country’s most renowned architects. Ando is also at work on a GHM property in Kona, Hawaii.
The Chedi Tomakomai is one of several Chedi properties that GHM plans to launch in the next three years. The Chedi Club Suzhou (China) and The Chedi Andermatt (Switzerland) are expected to open in 2013. The other properties scheduled to open by 2015 include The Chedi Nusa Penida (Bali), The Chedi Tamouda Bay (Morocco), and The Chedi Khorfakkan in Sharjah (UAE).
