Uruguay signed the concession for the Cipriani Ocean Resort & Club Residences

The signing was carried out at the headquarters of the Ministry of Tourism with the presence of the Minister of Tourism, Germán Cardoso, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Azucena Arbeleche, and the businessman Giuseppe Cipriani.

In June 2019, then-President Tabaré Vázquez - who passed away this weekend - accepted the initiative presented by the group of businessman Giuseppe Cipriani to develop a casino in the building that will occupy the site of the former San Rafael hotel, in Punta del Este.

According to the resolution, the complex called "Cipriani Ocean Resort and Club Residences - Punta del Este" contemplates the construction of "a new Hotel San Rafael, casino, commercial premises, convention center, theater, spa and amenities, two basements of underground garages and residences for housing. "

The project was technically analyzed by the Ministries of Economy and Finance and Tourism. In both cases, the reports issued were favorable and accepted the initiative, as did the General Directorate of the Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism.

The demolition of the former San Rafael hotel generated controversy at the level of residents and heritage leaders, but eventually it went ahead.

This is the most important investment today of the international group headed by businessman Giuseppe Cipriani. The complex includes in the first phase of construction 70 hotel rooms, 75 private apartments and the casino, close to Parada 11 of Playa Brava.

Minister Azucena Arbeleche highlighted the importance of this international award, which grants the private exploitation of games of chance, with a casino to the firm Fosara S.A., although it is conditional on the construction of a luxury hotel with the details mentioned above. "We continue to advance in the process of attracting large investments that our country needs," said the minister.

Source: El Pais (Uruguay)