Designed and Developed by

NEWS & UPDATES

15^thFeb, 2022

Chatra: building Sri Lanka's uber-luxury real estate advantage

A new frontier in uber-luxury properties that encompass conscious living, natural ecosystems and local communities, Chatra is attempting to establish a comparative advantage for Sri Lanka in global real estate.

Chatra, a property development brand of the EMS Leisure group, intends to promote nature-focused holiday homes and hospitality spaces that preserve natural ecosystems and empower local communities. In doing so, it wants to open up Sri Lanka as a unique destination with matchless advantages in the global real estate market, explains Vinod K.V., Group CEO of EMS.

Chatra is a Sanskrit word that refers to an umbrella - a symbol of social status, a mark of royalty and inner meaning across the South Asian region - and aptly captures the essence of the unique living experiences the company creates.

A gated community of uber-luxury villas Chatra is located in the tranquil locale of Digana, Kandy. Offering waterfront properties and panoramic views of the Knuckles Mountain Range, the villas are modern, minimalist and stylish, designed for discerning homeowners conscious of tranquil living and yet indulge in contemporary luxury.

In this interview, Vinod starts by explaining Chatra's approach to designing and developing unique living spaces, and as a real estate developer, what sets Chatra apart:

The company vision focuses on creating unique living experiences while enhancing natural wellbeing. At the heart of our unique approach to real estate development is the symbiotic relationship between a structure and its location, the environment. Harmony between the two is a vital aspect for us. They need to work in conjunction. We believe that is key.

Hence, the location goes a long way in influencing our designs.

Sri Lanka is resplendent with breath-taking environs, and we firmly believe that their preservation offers more of an advantage to real estate development than trying to change them. Most developers would acknowledge this, but very few put it into practice.

Chatra is one of the few property developers, if not the only one, that embodies the environment and its wellbeing into our designs for living experiences. Our properties focus on being one with nature with minimalist architecture, and we take great pains to incorporate sustainability into our designs in such a way as to lead to awareness through indulgence.

Chatra focuses on the uber-luxury segment. Can you take us through your unique projects and locations?

Chatra is our first foray into real estate development, and it is the showcase that announces our vision and capabilities to the market. Whatever you see in Chatra, from the location to the design and development process, will carry on to all our other projects. We have some exciting plans for Sri Lanka. Not only do we see great value in the market, but as a Sri Lankan company, we believe that the time is ripe for the Sri Lankan real estate sector to carve out its unique offering and secure its place in the global real estate market. There should be a clear difference between Sri Lankan Uber Luxury properties against others anywhere else in the world. We firmly believe we have a responsibility to take the lead in driving that strategy, and we are committed to that endeavour.

Chatra has a value proposition to create nature-focused holiday homes and hospitality properties. What market factors and opportunities influenced the company to take this route?

We believe that there is value in forecasted growth in post Covid real estate market conditions and tourism which is already visible. Although we conceptualised Chatra before the pandemic, we believe that the post-Covid environment will be conducive to a real estate boom. And tourism will see a strong recovery too. Despite the current prevailing economic state of the island, we are seeing movement in this specific sector of high-end experience-based living. Furthermore, we believe that consumers, whether we like it or not, do not have the luxury of total detachment. So, when they can escape, they need to be cossetted, comfortable and content without completely detaching themselves from their lifestyles. Hence, our development gives them the detachment without giving up on their lifestyles. That is a prerequisite intuitively factored into every aspect of our projects.

Given the challenges confronting the economy, investors are concerned about their investments and timely delivery. What assurances do you give your clients?

We take pride in tangibly demonstrating to our investors that we truly understand the value of their investment. This is one of the most important considerations for us as a developer. We have committed significant resources to ensure high-quality and timely delivery, critical factors in fulfilling the promised ROIs to our clients, even to the extent of looking at introducing internationally adapted best practices and processes that ensure the security of our client’s investments. We believe while novel, such practices and processes are needed as the market matures and should become the norm. Hence, why we have deployed similar processes throughout the company to ensure we meet the stated deliverables and exceed customer expectations.

How will you ensure continuous investor returns?

This is dependent on various factors. For one thing, investors have always been bullish on real estate. Our villas form a part of a gated community with well-enunciated facilities and amenities curated for a great second home opportunity. That has been a primary consideration in our business. Our investors are our partners, and it is a partnership we hope will continue. Hence their viewpoints and expectations must be considered and met. Chatra also offers interested buyers, to a limited extent, ROI plans on their investment capped with a three-year renewable contract confirming returns ranging from 5-7%. The cumulative effect of capital gains and rental ROI will provide participating owners with the opportunity to grow their investments even as they are away from their property.

Can you elucidate how Chatra is shaping economic ecosystems that support local communities?

This was a key consideration to us from the very beginning. Often, local communities are just a feel good soundbite, while in fact, they are relegated as outsiders looking in. In our case, they have become active partners. From hiring and sourcing goods and services from the community, our engagement is deep and far-reaching, and will no doubt empower communities and uplift local economies. We also strive to preserve the local customs and idiosyncrasies of the local ecosystem that give it charm and richness. This is what makes these localities so beautiful, and our efforts will concentrate on working with and within these local ecosystems that they may benefit and preserve their own identity.

15^thFeb, 2022

29^thNov, 2021

EMS Leisure Holdings breaks ground on Chatra

EMS Leisure Holdings Ltd. recently held the ground-breaking ceremony for ‘Chatra’, its first local project focused on developing, selling and subsequently operating a Luxury Holiday Home Villa cluster in Digana, Kandy. The project is valued at Rs. 1.1 billion and is expected to be completed by August 2024.

Chatra will be a gated community of 16 villas ranging from 3 4 bedrooms of 3,348-4,435sq.ft with the main building of the compound comprising a restaurant, gym, spa and boardroom. The property has been developed with an eco-conscious mind set from the point of inception and is in accordance with all environmental guidelines, featuring organic cultivation, solar power, recycling, and waste-water management for each villa.

Speaking about the project, EMS Leisure Group CEO Vinod K.V. said: “Now that we have broken ground, we are committed to deliver this project on time. Apart from the core deliverables, this remains our main priority and commitment to both our clients and shareholders.

“Chatra is backed by a team of professionals from diverse fields and while we are cognizant of unexpected circumstances occurring, it is the strength that this diversity brings that makes us confident of completing Chatra by the promised date of August 2024.”

Situated on 3.5 acres of 100% freehold and privately-owned land the project features a construction footprint of 22-25% in a prime tourist destination with mega infrastructure developments taking place in the area such as the construction of a highway, enabling faster and more convenient access. Furthermore, all necessary approvals needed to begin construction have been obtained so that work may commence without any delays leading to timely handover of the units.

Incorporated in 2019, EMS Leisure’s origin strategically brought together specialist partners from Travel, Hospitality, Sales and Marketing, Accounting and Construction. Its inherent partner EMS Property has been an active player in the Sri Lankan construction business and is currently developing an ongoing hospitality project in Nuwara Eliya.

Additionally, it has successfully delivered bespoke turnkey housing projects to a diverse portfolio of HNIs. Those interested in reserving a villa may log on to www.chatra.lk for more information.

29^thNov, 2021

10^thOct, 2021

EMS Leisure announces Chatra, its first luxury living property in Digana, Kandy

Colombo, October 10, 2021: EMS Leisure Holdings Pvt Ltd, a Sri Lankan company formed as a partnership between EMS Property and a group of elite Sri Lankan professionals based out of Dubai, today announced its first project focused on developing, selling and subsequently operating a Holiday Home Villa cluster in Digana, Kandy, named “Chatra”.

Overlooking the Victoria reservoir and the Knuckles Mountain Range, inspired by it’s location and proximity to nature, Chatra brims with natural beauty and offers a contiguous experience ideal for affluent living. It is built on 4 acres of waterfront property and uses less than 25% of the total land as a built-up footprint with the rest remaining as native landscape. Ranging from 20 perches to 23 perches, each plot will promote a home garden/orchard area for organic gardening of fruits and vegetables, along with a plunge pool to relax in serenity.

The project comprises of waterfront villas, within a gated community environment offering communal areas and a spa, restaurant, fitness area, a jogging pathway, and other open spaces surrounded by lush greenery. The project features 16 bespoke Villas in 8 unique designs and seeks to build holiday homes for discerning investors, together with a community outreach programme. With sizes ranging from 3,348sqf - 4,435sqf and starting at an investment of US$ 350,000 per villa, Chatra hopes to open its doors in the last quarter of 2023.

All villas will be fully furnished with premium architectural input and minimalist designs while catering to modern day needs. A simple yet elegant plan delivers maximum natural light and ventilation with a 6 metre wide paved road network, designed with drains on either side for the convenience of residents and easy circulation within the community. The entrance and exit will be from one location for security purposes, however internal circulations will be divided offering easy access to the villas and common amenities. A thick growth of trees along these pathways act as a natural barrier from the road, thereby ensuring privacy.

Speaking about this upcoming project, Vinod K. V. the Group CEO of EMS Leisure said, “We believe that despite the current challenging economic climate, Sri Lanka represents a strong opportunity for investment and growth. We want to capitalize on this by providing world class luxury living experiences in one of the most picturesque countries in the world that will prove to be of outstanding value to customers and stakeholders. We also have plans to make further investments into the country, either as part of our core offering or augmenting it. We are already in the midst of expanding our land inventories and look forward to announcing more exciting, eco-conscious and nature focused developments in the future.”

The architect for this project is Sanath Liyanage who is the founder of “Earth & Space Architects,”. A comprehensive and award-winning architectural practice that collaborates with several specialist teams from different disciplines, who is also currently handling different aspects of the project. Apart from being consortium lead, the practice comprises of a team of energetic and experienced professionals known for their keen focus on sustainability centric architecture, with a commitment to the highest standards of unique functional design. They also focus on the specific needs of each project, both locally and internationally.

Incorporated in 2019, EMS Leisure’s origin strategically brought together specialist partners from Travel, Hospitality, Sales & Marketing, Accounting and Construction. Its inherent partner, EMS Property has been an active player in the Sri Lankan construction business and is currently developing an ongoing hospitality project in Nuwara Eliya. In addition to which, it has successfully delivered bespoke turnkey housing projects to a diverse portfolio of HNI's.

10^thOct, 2021

3^rdMar, 2021

Covid 19 Update 1

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proiden...

3^rdMar, 2021

12^rdMar, 2021

Covid 19 Update 2

12^rdMar, 2021

2^rdApril, 2021

Covid 19 Update 3

2^rdApril, 2021

3^rdMar, 2021

Covid 19 Update 4

3^rdMar, 2021

12^rdMar, 2021

Covid 19 Update 5

12^rdMar, 2021

Policy Update 1

Policy Update 2

Policy Update 3

Policy Update 4

Policy Update 5

Regulation Change 1

Regulation Change 2

Regulation Change 3

Regulation Change 4

Regulation Change 5

3^rdMar, 2021

Milestone 1

3^rdMar, 2021

12^rdMar, 2021

Milestone 2

12^rdMar, 2021

2^rdApril, 2021

Milestone 3

2^rdApril, 2021

3^rdMar, 2021

Milestone 4

3^rdMar, 2021

12^rdMar, 2021

Milestone 5

12^rdMar, 2021

Do you have any questions? Contact us right away

INQUIRE