deer

One of the most interesting themes in Luxury Hotels Forum is speculating about new Amanresorts and new GHM Hotels/Resorts - since these resorts are mostly the best in service, design and location. Since the old thread (till 2010: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...ng-2010-a.html) was very large at the end, we started this new one from 2010 on.

PS: Discussions about existing Amans on http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...0-onwards.html.

NEW AMAN - WITH PHYSICAL EVIDENCE:

- Amanheli - a 45 Million-Dollar-project which offers almost 360 degrees panoramic sea views at Porto Heli project, Greece (http://www.portohelicollection.com). Architect Ed Tuttle. It is an exclusive villa community including a 40-room Aman hotel integrated with 40 Aman villas and a spa and is nearby some other developments, including the later featured, GHM-managed Kilada Hills Golf Resort. A good 200 kilometers from Athens. http://www.amanvillasph.com/introduction.php. Construction photos: http://www.dolphinci.com/index.cfm?page=1226

AMAN - SOUNDS REAL:

- Aman in Nevis, St. Kitts & Nevis. Broke ground beginning of 2011 according to Gallivanter's twittering & first spotted here by francophile. 40 pavillions + 40 residences, planned to open in 2013, designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, rivalling a Four Seasons which is always in development there. http://www.thestkittsnevisobserver.c...s-tourism.html

Two Amanresorts in Portugal, according to "4youreyesonly" & confirmed by an Aman manager to me:
- "Amanduna" in Comporta (a natural reserve 1 hour from Lisboa), opening 2011 or 2012. Next to Park Hyatt etc.: http://alcacergolf.com/Location/StrategicContext/
- "Aman in Douro Valley" (UNESCO world heritage site, famous for its wine), architect JM Gathy according to GG, but according to vuittonsofstyle Aman pulled out
According to Gallivanter's Guide there will be a 3rd one in Porto by architect Kerry Hill, but this was NOT confirmed by my Aman-source.

- Aman in Perth, Western Australia. Aman is "in talks" to convert The Old Treasury Buildings, a heritage site, and add a slim tower to the back of the building - to get an Aman Hotel with 90 rooms. Not date set yet. Found by Kagehitokiri on http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/20...Six_Star_Hotel and by paul2 via Gallivanter on http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225937869685

- Aman Tokyo in Otemachi district, scheduled for 2014 according to vuittonsofstyle. paul2 found the following Bloomberg-quote: "Slated for completion in 2014, the building will be located on the headquarters site of the former Fuji Bank. It will feature six below-ground and 38 above-ground floors." (http://tinyurl.com/ydp3w57)

- "Kea Resort by Aman" on spectacular Kea Island in Greece (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kea_(island)) 60 kilometers southeast of Athens - designed by FS-Sayan-Spaceship-Architect John Heah, found first by Ericka at http://shares.telegraph.co.uk/news/a...56597&epic=DCI

- Amanoca in Brazil, close to Ilha Grande and the historic village of Paraty, 100 km from Rio de Janeiro. 30 room resort plus private villas for sale. Planned opening 2011. Cheesy non-Aman website online now: http://amanoca.com/

- Aman on Playa Grande, Dominican Republic, designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, 40 rooms, 40 www.playagrande.com, Sources: Forbes (http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/...fx4490014.html & developers detailed press release http://www.reuters.com/article/press...08+RNS20080103), the Master-plan prepared in coordination between Hart Howerton and Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston has been finalised. In addition, Denniston is progressing the architectural design of the Aman hotel and villas. Rees Jones has also finalised the rerouting of the golf course further enhancing the golf experience of the project. Most likely a 200-room-GHM Golf Hotel nearby (see below).

- Aman in Dibeen, Jordan, which is close to Jerash, "an amazing Roman city" according to vuittonsofstyle, opening in "an ecologically sensitive forested site" scheduled "end 2012" by managers John Vasatka & Tania Rydon who already left Amanyara for it, according to paul2.

AMAN - SPECULATIVE/VAPORWARE

- Aman in Venice, according to Gallivanter's Guide at Palazzo Papadopoli (http://tinyurl.com/3yqhmbl), which is in San Polo, not far from the tourist-overflowed Rialto Bridge.

- Aman on Banda Island, Indonesia, as reported by Groombridge: "A 20-room renovation of an existing colonial era building on the remote island of Banda Niera (one of the nutmeg islands). The building is at the opposite end of the town from the ocean, abutting the woods."

- Aman in the Peru mountains near Cusco - 3400 meter high, found by Paul2 on http://www.livinginperu.com/blogs/business/1501

- Aman in Mozambique, also happening according to Gallivanter's twittering.

- 2 Aman in Turkey: Gocek (Architect Kerry Hill) and Bodrum, rumored to me by an Aman manager, first specified by paul2.

- Aman in South Africa, according to vuittonsofstyle.

- Aman in Cavtat, Croatia near Dubrovnik (and not far from Montenegro), hinted by Vuittons and Nama, found at http://www.bjelasica-komovi.com/file...consulting.pdf

- Aman in Pulau Besar, North Malaysia, on the Island of an inland lake (Source: http://malaysia-travel.suite101.com/...n_and_air_asia and http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...0&sec=business).

- Aman in Diqin area northwest of Zhongdian, Yunnan Province, China, coming closer according to bearbrick (http://www.gokunming.com/en/blog/ite...diqing_countyl)
- Aman in Lijiang, Yunnan Province, according to amanforever starting construction mid 2010.
(both places not too far from each other, so maybe the same project...)

- Amanseramai in Loreto, Mexico. On Google, there is some reference (for example http://www.starksilvercreek.com/2008...-bay-upda.html, http://www.investloscabos.com/blogs/...los-cabos.aspx) - and about the name "Amanseramai" (http://www.hotel-rugs.com/other_projects.html)

- Amanmara in Kenya, spotted by Paul2: "If you try to open www.amanmara.com you are brought straight to the main amanresorts website. (...) Online reference to Amanmara here (number 87): http://www.slideshare.net/pagodahous...d-cn-interiors"

- Amanresort at Sukarta, one good hour from Yogyakarta and a little more from Amanjiwo. According to user Sundarma, construction will begin in spring 2010, so an opening could be expected around 2012 - which seems unlikely to me...

- Amancaya in Norman's Cay, Carribean, "finally got permissions" according to AirJunkie and opxzaw on flyertalk. I also found a funny government-permission link including financial details: http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/publ...m-002657.shtml

- Aman in Johor, South Malaysia, in a development zone disgustingly featuring two theme parcs (sic!) next to Singapore, according to nama. More planning here, found by Kage: http://www.asli.com.my/DOCUMENTS/GEM...mal_180808.pdf

- Dubai Aman near the Airport - "a unique lifestyle resort at DWTC's Dubai Trade Centre District" (http://propdubai.com/news/1091/index.php). Sounds disgusting!

- Amanoca in Brazil, designed by Jean Michel Gathy and 100km from Rio, according to Air Junkie

- AmanESB in Mexico, Estero Santa Barbara, way down at Baja Californica near Mulege, 600 km south of Tijuana (http://www.esterosantabarbara.com/bajacasur_big.html). Big plans including an Aman Resort, Aman Villas, Golf Course (http://www.dmkgolfdesign.com/portfolio-amanesb.aspx), other Villas and so on (http://www.esterosantabarbara.com/resort.html). Once again the Gathy-Guy is the architect. According to Air Junkie temperatures are very hot there, and the resort is still in pre-development...

- Aman on the site of a former Nikko Hotel on one of the 250 Palau Islets, 500 miles southeast from the Philippines, opening unknown (Source: Gallivanter Guide). According to the newest finding, thanks to Kage, "the project which will begin construction in the second quarter of 2009 will see completion in 14 to 16-month time" (http://www.mvarietynews.com/index.ph...-news&Itemid=5)

- Aman on Kayangel Island, also in Palau, opening unknown, http://www.asiantechnicon.com/ongoing_resorts.html (Source: Gallivanter Guide).

- Aman on Grand Bahama Island, designed by good old Jean-Michel Gathy, according to AirJunkie.

- Aman in Bovina in US State of New York (http://www.allianceforbovina.org/bovina-news.html), spotted by bearbrick.

- Aman at Amazon river, Brazil - told by Zecha in interview (as told by Kagehitokiri).

- Aman in Riviera Maya, Mexico, opening unknown (Source: Gallivanter Guide).

- According to wsj.com, Zecha is talking about doing a project in Vietnam, scouring for sites in Latin America, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. http://magazine.wsj.com/features/the...palace-resort/ (link found by SIN1K)

- Very, very speculative rumors about Amanresorts in Amman (Jordan), St Petersburg, Sicily, Bermuda, Maui, Costa Rica, Kenia, Cuba, Los Angeles and New York on flyertalk.

- Close to death: Aspen

- Cancelled:
Bangkok at Firehouse near The Oriental - cancelled because of people not willing to move out.
Nepal.
Fiji.
Amanmila in Greece.
Malibu Resort & Spa in California.
Amaniwa in Kyoto, about 1 km from the Golden Temple of Kinkakuji.
Shanghai, Ex-British Embassy at Bund 33 - will now be a State Guest House managed by Peninsula...


GHM - SOUNDS REAL:

- Chedi Andermatt in Switzerland inmidst the alps, as part of a kind of artificial resort/apartment town-development. Designed by Denniston and planned opening in winter 2013, The Chedi Andermatt will comprise 131 hotel rooms, pied-a-terres and penthouses, as well as 94 private residences, apartments and lofts - with an aprés ski bar, restaurant, bar, lounge, spa, gym and pool. http://www.thechedi-andermatt.com + http://www.andermatt-swissalps.ch/

- "The Ananti" in funny communist North (!) Korea, planned opening August 2008, but not opened yet because of border troubles in the divided country... (great fotographs of the fantastic mountaineous landscape on www.ghmhotels.com -> Ananti), 5 hour drive from Seoul (South Korea) & 10-day-processment-time visa needed. Rooms from 850 USD + 10%, Suites from 1400 USD + 10%.

- The Ananti Club, Seoul

- Chedi at Thracian Cliffs in Kavarna (Bulgary), a 60 suite boutique hotel, designed by Jean-Michel Gathy. Next Airport is Varna (VAR), reachable by LH or OS. It's located on the on the northern Black Sea Coast and will be part of a larger coastal resort. First spotted by bearbrick. Planned opening autumn 2010. Check out http://thraciancliffs.com/overview/V...sentation.html and http://www.golfandspa.eu/en/thracian_cliffs_chedi_en

- "The Serai Club", Bali - a GHM-managed all-villa-resort, located in the inland with no ocean view, no beach access and only one 25-meter-pool somewhere behind the Ritz Carlton Jimbaran. Cheesy non-GHM-website www.serai-club.com or with better pictures www.ghmhotels.com -> Serai Club. Opening postponed from late 2008 to "early 2011".

- Chedi at Kilada Hills - part of Porto Heli development, Greece, two hours from Athens, managed by GHM, designed by Jean-Michel Gathy. Once Scheduled for 2010. A 100-Million-Dollar-project on a 250-hectare site is to be developed as an upscale residential resort comprising more than 450 units on approximately 180 hectares of land integrated with a luxury hotel, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus championship golf course, as well as other supporting recreational and sports facilities, including a marina, an equestrian centre, a winery, an olive oil process facility and a small retail complex and also an Aman (see above). http://www.portohelicollection.com/hotels-chedi.php

- The Malkai in Barka (near Muscat), Oman, opening end-2010, as an "exclusive community, the development will comprise of 101 four-bedroom villas and 92 two-bedroom suites, as well as a boutique hotel offering 41 luxury suites.", managed by GHM (http://www.themalkai.com, http://www.duttondirect.com/lifestyl...rticle/id:4095). But: 3 km from the beach, but with possible beach club access.

- The Chedi Taiping Lake, in Anhui Province, China near Mt. Huangshan. 30 villas and 90 rooms and suites plus a traditional hot spring spa, health club, golf course and restaurants. It will be in a very scenic landscape (UNESCO World Herritage Site) near one of the 4 holy mountains of China and a big lake, but be part of a huge resort complex, compromising of a Crowne Plaza Resort (sic!), some residential homes and a golf course. Details under: http://www.spgland.com/eng/business/hotel.htm

- The Chedi, Tamouda Bay, Morocco (near Tetouan on the northeastern top of Morroco next to the Mediterranean, but more than 500 km from Amanjena...). According to Gallivanter's Guide it is conceived by Escape Architecture, with 116 Suites and 2 Royal Suites.

- The Chedi, Suzhou, China (a beautiful little 6-million-people town at the Yangtze River between Shanghai and Hangzhou (-> Amanfayun), and because of its multiple scenic waterstreets its called "Venice of the East")

- The Chedi, Cairo (the 4 last Chedis first spotted by bearbrick, all these Chedis listed in a GHM press release http://www.hotelsmag.com/article/444...ala_Lumpur.php)

- The Chedi, Jordan

- The Chedi Tapei, Taiwan, in a suburb next to National Museum - planned to be completed in 2013. First spotted by instyleprincess, more details in that badly translated article: http://tinyurl.com/yhvwjxj

- "The Tanai" on Turks & Caicos next to fantastic Amanyara, The Tanai on Turks & Caicos next to great Amanyara, with 60 hotel rooms and 30 residences, opening 2009 (har, har!) according to GHM-designed Website http://thetanai.com (see also: Gallivanter's Guide & http://www.concierge.com/destination...etail?id=10503, http://www.tcweeklynews.com/default....lynews&he=.com)


GHM - SPECULATIVE/VAPORWARE

- The Artai in Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road next to the Emirates Towers, designed by Denniston. Next to the Dubai World Trade Centre, The Artai Hotel Tower will comprise 150 one and two-bedroom hotel apartments, while The Artai Apartment Tower will feature 250 luxury one and two-bedroom serviced apartments and four restaurants, plus spa and health club.

- Elounda Chedi (Crete) - found by vuittonsofstyle in this interesting pdf: aw2.net/pdf/ESCAPE_ARCHITECTURE_2010_A3_HD.pdf

- Chedi Corfu - also found found by vuittonsofstyle in aw2.net/pdf/ESCAPE_ARCHITECTURE_2010_A3_HD.pdf

- Kraljičina Plaža Hotel at traditional coastline holiday resort Sveti Stefan, Montenegro - an old hotel destructed and newly built, 2010 planned opening, next to 2 Aman managed restored old hotels - no building activity yet, so most likely postponed... (http://www.visit-montenegro.com/article767.htm)

- "Chedi at Livka Bay" at the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia. Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy. http://www.dolphinci.com/index.cfm?page=1052

- GHM on Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, will be announced end 2008 according to AirJunkie.

- Chedi Dubai on the artifical Palm Jumeirah island (which will sadly also feature 25 of the top international hotel brands including Movenpick, Antara, Fairmont, Radisson SAS, Hilton, Metropolitan, Shangri La, One and Only Royal Mirage, Starwood, Marriott, Oberoi, Taj and Dusit, according to http://www.dxbdubai.com/index.php?s=chedi

- Chedi Bangkok & Chedi Singapore (all according to the site of IMEX Frankfurt travel convention: http://www.imex-frankfurt.com (search for "GHM"))

- 200-room-GHM Golf Hotel in Playa Grande, Dominican Republic, next to an upcoming Amanresort - Developer says "most likely managed by GHM" (http://www.reuters.com/article/press...08+RNS20080103).

- GHM Hotel in Philadelphia, rumored by Galivanter's Guide with the remark "which should prove quite a culture shock"...

- GHM "Country Club" in Malaysia next to Kuala Lumpur Airport & Formula 1 track - right now it seems more like marketing for villas, since the words "hotel" and "resort" are not involved... (found by bearbrick: http://www.starproperty.my/PropertyS...htBox/2322/0/0)

- "Nizuc" in Riviera Maya, now off the GHM website, which sounds not good... (www.nizuc.com).

- Cancelled:
"The Yamu" on Phuket (Thailand), designed by Phillip Stark, appeared on the GHM website in 2007, then opening pushed back from "fall 2008" over "late 2009" and "Q3 2010" now to "late 2011" (www.theyamu.com), now out of GHM.


SETAI (which will NOT be automatically managed by GHM)

- Setai Josei Ignacio in Uruguay, opening 2009/2010 according to NY Times and website www.setaijoseignacio.com

- Setai Costa Rica - in pre-development according to AirJunkie

- Setai Baja, searching for property according to AirJunkie.

- New York: Setai confusion - a condo-tower (not hotel) opening 2009 (www.setainy.com). And a rumored hotel, most likely NOT manged by GHM in Midtown Manhattan on 400, 5th Ave (http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/20...he_Name_Setai_).


OPENED since the beginning of this threat:

- "The Aman at Sveti Stefan", Montenegro Coast, consisting of 2 old hotels, completely rennovated. Small Villa Milocer (opened 2009) and Aman Sveti Stefan (opened 2010).

- Amanfayun at Hangzhou, China, 180 km southwest from Shanghai, next to Ling Yin temple.

- Amangiri near Lake Powell, USA, open since fall 2009.

- Amantaka in Laos, Louang Phabang, the transformation of the old french hospital.

- "The Aman at Summer Palace" in Bejing

- Villa Milocer in Montenegro, first part of Aman Sveti Stefan, opened early 2009

- "The Aman New Delhi", City Hotel with individual pools.


Please add, subtract & comment!!!

luxury

By special request I have deleted the thread I started on this very same topic. Please continue discussions on this thread. Thank you to deer for such wonderful work in getting this thread off to a spectacular start in 2010!!

shanghai-paris

Hi all !

As a newbie, I'll try, in the future to do as good as Deer above, but it's gonna be tough to be as complete...
Thanks Deer for all these informations !

vuittonsofstyle

Oh, this is an excellent thread - thank you Deer!

Just read in Malaysian newspaper - www.thesundaily.com - that government owners of Carcosa Seri Negara (ex Aman, ex GHM) aim to create 'a six star hotel', so are looking for a new operator. GHM is chopped liver?

Carcosa to become six-star hotel
Husna Yusop

Carcosa Seri Negara, a hallmark of Malaysia's national heritage.
PUTRAJAYA (Dec 29, 2009) : Carcosa Seri Negara will not be closed as speculated from Jan 1 but will be upgraded into a six-star hotel.

An official of the Prime Minister's Department told theSun the contract for the current operator running the hotel expires on Dec 31 but the cabinet recently approved a six-month extension until June 2010.

At the same time, he said, the Property and Land Management Division of the PM’s Department has issued a tender to upgrade the hotel.

"It now has 23 rooms and we are looking at increasing it to 80 or 100 rooms. A few companies have submitted their proposals," the official said.

He said the six-month extension was given in order to finalise the contract and once it has been upgraded, it will have a new operator.

"The selected contractor will be working with the new operator. We need a new operator because it will be a six-star hotel," the official said.

He added that they are looking at potential international operators because local operators would not be capable of managing a six-star hotel.

"We will retain its historical and heritage values. We will not tamper with these elements. However, there may be some adjustments and upgrading in terms of its interior design."

He was commenting on an AFP report today that Carcosa Seri Negara, the 111-year-old grande dame of colonial Malaya, is up for redevelopment and will close its doors on Dec 31.

"We were told by the government it is giving a tender to a company that is interested in redeveloping this site; so we don’t know what its going to be," said hotel manager Caroline Filtzinger.

Run by the GHM group of luxury hotels since 2004, the management was informed of the government’s decision in October by the Economic Planning Unit, which handles the property.

Carcosa Seri Negara occupies 16.19 hectares near Taman Tasik Perdana. Construction started in 1896 under the first resident-general, or chief British adviser to the then Federated Malay States, Sir Frank Swettenham. It was completed in 1898.

Carcosa was occupied by top British civil servants and in 1913 the government built the King’s House on the property, as a guesthouse for the governor of the Straits Settlements who resided in Singapore.

On Jan 21, 1948, representatives of the Malay sultans and the British government created the Federation of Malaya, giving the country limited autonomy.

On Sept 12, 1956, Tunku Abdul Rahman presented the deeds of Carcosa to the British government as a gift.

On the lawns of the King’s House on Aug 5, 1957, just before independence was declared, the Malay Sultans along with Malaya’s last colonial administrator Sir Donald MacGillivray signed into creation the new nation.

King’s House was later returned to Malaysia and renamed "Seri Negara".

Carcosa was occupied by a succession of British high commissioners.

Ericka

No more Bahamas / Norman's Cay....
http://www.tribune242.com/news/01132...pment_news_pg1

luxury

Speculating on the new operators, I wonder if it may be Taj or Jumeirah -- I cannot see FS, MO, or Pen to jump onto a self-proclaimed 6-star moniker.

vuittonsofstyle

I do not think that you can even compare Taj and Jumeirah. Taj are not liable to jump onto the 6-star bandwagon (they are much too stylish these days), whereas Jumeirah are, IMHO (Burj Al Arab et al).

Most sensible operators would turn Carcosa Seri Negara down as it has a history of being a nightmare to manage, given its government owners. I suspect we will see a rather more lowly operator managing it - not Peninsula or MO, but maybe someone like SS or Banyan Tree, or even Starwood, which has taken on some pretty odd management contracts over the years (Los Tamarindos being one).

paul2

Aman Tokyo update :

"The Singaporean firm had considered opening a hotel in Kyoto, but will make its Japanese debut in Tokyo instead. Slated for completion in 2014, the building will be located on the headquarters site of the former Fuji Bank. It will feature six below-ground and 38 above-ground floors"

http://investing.businessweek.com/re...capId=32527724

MegatopLover

That's quite a lot of floors. To keep the total room count at typical levels, they'd need to have one room per floor, pretty much.

vuittonsofstyle

Just had this confirmed by Aman - 2014 it is, at the earliest.

watercolorblue

This is what's been released in Japan:

http://release.nikkei.co.jp/attach_file/0237776_01.pdf

Aman Tokyo will occupy the top floors of a new commercial building in Otemachi. The map attached to the release shows that the building stands two blocks east of the imperial palace.

The construction started last November.

bearbrick

DEER .......i inadvertently posted some innfo on new GHM properties in the AMAN POLL thread .....could you kindly do a transfer if necess

thanks

BBrick

deer

(sorry for Morocco-typo in headline!)

After GHM losing Chedi Phuket and Carcosa Seri Negara, Bearbrick reports about positive GHM activity:

"In addition to The Chedi Cairo there will be The Chedi Suzhou as well as The Chedi Tamouda Bay, Morroco and also a Seoul outpost of the Ananti. .....all only happening after 2011 except The Ananti Seoul in 2010 - at the earliest which if one uses the Nizuc & Yamu as a guide, is not that accurate."

Sozhou is a beautiful little 6-million-people town at the Yangtze River between Shanghai and Hangzhou (-> Amanfayun), and because of its multiple scenic waterstreets its called "Venice of the East".

Tamouda Bay is on the northeastern top of Morroco, at the Mediterranean (more than 500 km from Amanjena...). Also a Ritz-Carlton is planned there (http://www.watg.com/?pageid=0BA14B9F...8B8D647C5C4553).

Seoul of course is the Capital of capitalist South Korea, whilst the original Ananti in communist North Korea is still closed after some border trouble inmidst the divided country.

deer

"GHM properties currently under development include the following hotels and resorts worldwide:

The Nizuc in Riviera Maya, Mexico
The Ananti Club, Seoul
The Malkai, Barka, Oman
The Chedi, Cairo
The Chedi, Jordan
The Chedi, Andermatt, Switzerland
The Chedi, Kilada Hills, Greece
The Chedi, Thracian Cliffs, Cape Kaliakra, Bulgaria
The Chedi, Tamouda Bay, Morocco
The Chedi, Taiping Lake, China
The Chedi, Suzhou, China"

(found at: http://www.hotelsmag.com/article/444...ala_Lumpur.php)

That means: The Yamu is out! Still under development, but not as a GHM resort.

Kagehitokiri

but "development" when in context of those kinds of lists has no real meaning.

so saujana is gone too.. and they just hired a new director of sales and marketing back on nov 11..

re seoul >

http://www.skmdesign.com/projects/20...l/project.html

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:...&client=safari
http://www.saramin.co.kr/zf_user/rec...ew/idx/4401707
says it opens may 21?

***

banyan tree is doing something similar. just ~50 suites. there is a lot more online about it.

as of august 13 2009, 45% complete.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12600652-post190.html

article from yesterday says it opens at the end of march.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news...144_59457.html