The result of patience and persistence has paid off for Labasa businessman and hotelier, Paul Jaduram.

Mr Jaduram has made a $3.5 million investment into his soon-to-be James Cook Hotel at Mitchell Street, off Gordon Street in Suva.

The groundbreaking ceremony was officiated by the Suva City Council Special Administrator Chandu Umaria yesterday at the site.

Mr Jaduram said he had given much thought to his new investment, and would never regret it.

“We are looking at 40 rooms now from the previous 30 that we had planned. For this investment, we thought of it for a long time because we had an apartment in Nadi but it didn’t give that much boost,” he said.

“But Suva is the place to serve the public /people coming into Fiji. Though we felt like it was hard to get land because sections are very difficult and expensive.

“So we managed to get this one which will suffice to start off from here on, but other than that, we have plans for future developments.”

Mr Jaduram said Westpac would be the main financier for the whole project which would create 22 new employments.

High-class development

Mr Umaria said it was a real pleasure to see such a high-class development coming to the city of Suva.

“No doubt when the project will be completed, there will more job opportunities for the people, accommodation for visitors and tourists and moreover, Suva will have a new face.”

He further assured Mr Jaduram that he has made no mistake in opening his hotel and investing in Suva.

“Suva will not only be the hub of the Pacific but the financial capital of the Pacific as indicators show positive growth for investment in Suva,” he said.

“For instance, with the property development opposite the Peninsula Hotel soon to be taking shape and the former Noble House now open with a five star restaurant.”

Works on site

Works will begin as soon as they receive the plans from Suva City Council.

The architects and builders are Jaduram Industries Limited. Currently they are the contractors who are working on the facelift of Reserve Bank of Fiji.

“They will be the main contractors for my properties and other potential developments around,” Mr Jaduram said.

“They will begin works in couple of week’s time and the completion date is around 10 months.”

Hotel name

Mr Jaduram said since Fiji was discovered by Captain James Cook and Abel Tasman, he felt James Cook would be an appropriate name for his hotel.

“I thought James Cook would be ideal because there is a James Cook Hotel in Wellington where I did my attachment for my Hotel Management course.”

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