U.K. charity plans to built $150m eco-tourism for Victoria’s Alcoa coal mine

Eden Project, a UK charity plans to redevelop a china clay excavation in Cornwall into a major eco-tourism project. Alcoa’s former coalmine in Anglesea, Victoria will be developed as the tourism hot spot. The enormous site of the former Alcoa coal mine and power plant is set to gain a new life as a destination for adventure tourism attractions and hospitality businesses such as micro-breweries.
The Eden Project and Alcoa announced a plan to turn a portion of the site into a $150m eco-tourism attraction based around Anglesea’s coastal location. They say they will seek input from the community.Eden Project charity and Alcoa estimate that this multi million project could create 300 full-time jobs and attract thousands of visitors if it gains the support of the community, finds funding via investors and passes the planning and approvals process. The proposal is in its early consultation stages. The chief executive of the Eden Project International, David Harland, said the charity and Alcoa would be seeking local support.Alcoa closed that this massive site in 2015 after 46 years of operation. The Eden Project in Cornwall, England, turned a former china clay pit into a series of gardens that feature large domes, known as biomes.This coal mine features the world’s largest indoor rainforest, as well as outdoor gardens and concert facilities. The Eden Project says the tourist attraction has brought £2bn into the regional economy and hosted more than 20 million visitors since 2001.Its proposal in Anglesea is for an eco-tourism project that would be built alongside Alcoa’s plans to transform the open-cut coalmine into a lake. Harland said it would differ to the Cornwall project and be developed in a way that suited the local environment.In December 2016, Alcoa Mine has surrendered its 6620 hectares of Crown land. Most of that land has since been incorporated into the Great Otway National Park. Alcoa now leases 787.5 hectares of Crown land and owns 143 hectares in Anglesea. Much of the land will also be used for conservation.

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Auberge Resorts Collection Announces Strategic Partnership with Bdt & Msd Partners

PR Newswire | February 02, 2024

The Friedkin Group announced today that the company has entered into a strategic partnership with BDT & MSD Partners ("BDT & MSD"), a merchant bank built to serve the distinct needs of business owners and strategic, long-term investors. BDT & MSD, through its affiliated hospitality investment vehicle, will make a minority investment in Auberge Resorts Collection, the manager of the award-winning portfolio of luxury hotels, resorts, residences and private clubs set in some of the world's most desirable locations. In addition, BDT & MSD's hospitality vehicle intends to invest significant capital towards acquiring and developing luxury hotel and residential assets that will be branded and managed by Auberge Resorts Collection. The partnership reflects BDT & MSD's belief in Auberge Resorts Collection's unique brand positioning and focus on creating one-of-a-kind luxury hospitality experiences. The investment will support Auberge's continued strategic growth in the Americas, Europe and beyond, with a focus on gateway urban markets and high-profile experiential destinations. "This partnership further solidifies Auberge Resorts Collection's position as the leading name in boutique luxury hospitality and marks a new and exciting era for our world-class portfolio," said Dan Friedkin, chairman of Auberge Resorts Collection and chairman and CEO of The Friedkin Group. "BDT & MSD's differentiated, long-term capital and expertise in luxury hospitality investments makes them a perfect strategic partner and will allow us to further grow the strength of the Auberge brand." "Auberge is a world-class manager of distinctive luxury hotel properties, with an exceptional track record of delivering curated guest experiences in the world's leading hospitality markets. We are excited to be a part of its future and look forward to partnering with Auberge's talented team to build on its differentiated strengths and accelerate further growth," said Coburn Packard, partner & head of real estate at BDT & MSD. Since becoming part of The Friedkin Group in 2013, Auberge Resorts Collection has grown into the leading name in boutique luxury hospitality, comprising 27 unparalleled properties across the U.S., Latin America and Europe, with a development pipeline of over a dozen hotels and two additional hotels planned to open in Florence and South Carolina this year. While each property is unique, all share a crafted approach to luxury and bring the essence of the location to life through one-of-a-kind design that reflects the destination, exceptional cuisine and dining experiences that attract both the local community and global traveler, innovative spas and wellness retreats and highly personalized service.

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