Fiji’s ‘Riviera’ ex resort site goes on the market
A landmark South Pacific coastal property, once renowned as “Fiji’s Riviera”, has been put for sale.
The 30 hectares (75 acres) of land at Korolevu on Fiji’s Coral Coast, halfway between Nadi and Suva, was formerly home to Fiji’s first international beach resorts, Korolevu Beach Resort, developed in the 1950’s, and the neighbouring Paradise Point Hotel built in the 1960s.
The land straddles the Queens Highway linking Nadi with Suva and comprises nine freehold titles totalling 26 ha (64.25 acres), three contiguous native leases comprising 4.3ha (10.67 acres) and a crown lease to the deep water access for a mere $2 per annum.
The property is being marketed by Bayleys Real Estate through its Fiji office.
Bayleys’ Fiji manager Philip Toogood says it is regarded by many as one of Fiji's finest resort and residential sites because of its “all-tide” pristine beach and surrounding lush vegetation.
He says it is rare for such a large amount of freehold land, which comprises the bulk of the property, to come up for sale in such a prime coastal location. Less than 10 per cent of land in Fiji is in freehold title.
Mr Toogood says the site fronts both the lengthy beach and adjacent river mouth, offering several water frontage options and magnificent mature trees - once part of the resorts’ splendid gardens - dominate the property. An elevated area provides panoramic views over beach, reef and beyond to the island of Vatulele.
He says the land offers a variety of potential mixed-use development options including resort accommodation, upmarket residential and commercial.
He says that many potential buyers inspecting the property recount stories of visiting Korolevu and Paradise Point during their glory years and have visions of restoring the birthplace of Fiji’s tourism industry.
From the 50’s right through to the 70’s, the two resorts were regarded as “Fiji’s Riviera”. Colonial expatriates from the UK, Australia and New Zealand flocked there from their bases in Nadi and Suva as did Amercian tourists on Pan American Airlines planes that stopped in Fiji to refuel
The former Korolevu Beach Hotel contained small self-contained units considered the first bure style accommodation in the world – setting a benchmark for indigenous architectural elements within resort developments worldwide. It also featured Fijian themed entertainment and feasts and introduced cultural shows to educate guests about “local” ways of life.
Both the hotels closed in the early 1980’s and the land has been largely vacant every since.
“The vendor has owned the property since 1991 and his decision to sell offers an opportunity to secure one of the best beachfront sites on the Coral Coast,” says Mr Toogood.
For further information contact Philip Toogood of Bayleys Fiji Phone +679 6727 111 mobile +679 999 1449 or email Philip.toogood@bayleysfiji.com.fj
