The Calamander Group Inc, based in Singapore, is hosting its 10th Anniversary at Calamander Unawatuna Beach, Galle. The group celebrates its growth from a ‘start up’ founded by owner and Chairman Roman Scott, to a multi-national company with diversified investments, including hospitality, food and beverage and property in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, as well as Singapore.
The original and largest division of the group is real estate, with a quarter of a million square feet of space. Up until now, the real estate division has only operated in Singapore and the U.K., but will now be developing its already acquired land bank in Sri Lanka.
In 2011, Mr. Scott acquired the franchise of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, an iconic American brand, and re-established the Cinnamon Gardens store as the place to be seen in Colombo. The airport store continues to serve thousands of outbound travelers, 24/7, 365 days of the year. And in the pipe-line are stores in Rajagiriya and Mount Lavinia. In the last five years The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has increased its foot print to seven stores, including Orion City, a library/business café in co-operation with The British Council and a store recently opened in Dhakka, Bangladesh.
Unawatuna Beach Resorts (Calamander Unawatuna Beach, Galle (Pvt) Ltd was bought by The Calamander Group Inc., in November 2011 and the food and beverage business is being completely reinvented this year to show case ‘live’ concept restaurants and bars in Colombo and Negombo, as well as within the hotels.
The hotels, which include the iconic UBR, renamed Calamander Unawatuna Beach, continue the legacy of being the most sought after beach destination ‘down south’. And Mr Scott has been developing its facilities to include three of the best swimming pools in the country, together with the ‘best beach’ and the beautiful Governors Chalet and Boat House restaurant, rebranded as Calamander Lake Gregory. These two hotels form the core of an expanding hospitality sector, which will see developments in the Central Province and Colombo.