Mahadhdhoo island in Gaafu Alif Atoll has once again been put up for sale.
Bank of Maldives (BML), which owns the uninhabited island on a 50-year lease expiring in 2056, has retained JLL Hotels and Hospitality to seek buyers for Mahadhdhoo.
In an announcement, JLL said on Tuesday that it is seeking offers in excess of USD 300,000 to complete the development of the island as an 87-villa resort as planned, and operate the hideaway property based on their specific brand strategy and operational requirements. An incoming purchaser will also have the option to explore attractive financing terms that could be considered by BML, it added.
JLL will accept expression of interest for the island before May 18. Interested parties have been asked to contact Nihat Ercan (+65 6494 3933 / nihat.ercan@ap.jll.com) or Irina Chadsey (+65 6494 3906 / irina.chadsey@ap.jll.com).
Nihat Ercan, Executive Vice President for Asia Pacific at JLL, was quoted in the statement as saying, “Mahadhdhoo island represents an exceptional opportunity for an investor to acquire a partially-built Maldivian resort at a price point well-below replacement cost. The Maldives remains a global gateway resort destination and is top of the list for buyers from Asia Pacific and the Middle East.”
Nestled within the pristine waters of the southern Gaafu Alif Atoll, Mahadhdhoo is accessible via a 45-minute flight from the Maldives’ main Velana International Airport to the domestic Kooddoo Airport in the atoll, followed by a 20-minute speedboat journey. Occupying a land area of approximately 119,000 square metres, Mahadhdhoo is one of 82 islands that form the Gaafu Alif Atoll, home to some of the most recognisable luxury and upscale resorts in the country.
Mahadhdhoo was initially put up for sale in August 2015. However, the process later came to a halt due to undisclosed reasons.
JLL is a leading financial and professional services firm that specialises in commercial real estate services and investment management. The firm has sold nine resorts in the Maldives since 2012, including the Konotta Island Resort to the Hawaii-based Outrigger Enterprises Group, Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru Resort and Spa to Singapore-based Roxy-Pacific Holdings Limited, Kodhipparu Island Resort to a joint venture between Singapore-based Park Hotel Group and Chip Eng Seng Corporation Ltd and Reethi Beach Resort to SC Capital Partners Group.
Main photo courtesy: Matthew Meier