This unique building will posibly become a knon landmark in Mauritius. A very special architectural marvel designed for weddings and other celebrations. It's part of an inovative project - The Smart City of Jinfei, which has come into being as a collaboration between the Government of Mauritius and the Government of China. The idea is to create a sustainable community where people of different backgrounds and culture can live and work. It's going to be a zone of mixed use between economic and cultural activities. When it's finished it will include activities for sectors like culture and tourism, business and education. An economic and cultural Zone that will include shops, conference center, restaurants, a 5-star hotel,gardens etc.
My plan for a couple of weeks, have been to visit abandoned buildings and places. I have not quite managed to stick to that plan. I came across this amazing architectual gem from Instagram. I saw photos of bridal couples in front of the structure on the roof. I thought it might be a modern church or maybe a temple of some kind. I asked around to find out where it's located. When I manged to do so, we drove out there one afternoon. Because it's located on the west coast, only north of the capital Port Louis, it's only a short drive if you are staying in the northern part of the island.
From a distance we saw the top of the building - Eden Garden Center. It seems that this building has been the first stage of the construction of the whole complex. From the entrance gate we drove to the parking in front of it. Most of the larger area that is to become the Smart City is still in a construction process. Excavators, cranes and equipment testify that it is only in the start-up phase, except this building. This building seems almost complete.
The first thing we did was to walk up the stairs to the structure on the roof. It's surrounded by pools that reflects the building. Inside it was empty, but we guess this is where the wedding seremonies are held. It's easy to image what it would look like decorated with flowers when there's a wedding.
The building will include conference center, shops, restaurants, catering facilities, garden etc. It seems as if it is not quite finished. We had a look inside. Some larger rooms are not completed. But the structure on the top has allready seen several bridal couples. We didn't enter the building, except for looking into one of the large room that is not completed yet. Everything outside, from plants to carpark seems completed.
Chinese developers have since 2006 been allocated with land to be developed. As I have understood, the Jinfei corporation is paying the Mauritian government an annual sum in the form of leasing for this project that is meant to help make Mauritius become an economic hub between China an Africa. The thought of a Smart City in Mauritius is to help boost this strategic link and plan endorsed by boths nations to promote financial services, but also to new thinking that will transform the link between China and Africa.
I didn't know about this complex before I saw the pictures on Instagram. From some of the information I could find, it seems that the development of the Jinfei Smart City started in 2016 and is supposed to be finished in 2022 / 24. Next time I will be in Mauritius it might be finished and filled with life. This time it was quiet and peaceful to walk on the roof. Only a few people were there. Some jogging, some walking and some were bicycling.
Source:
https://business.mega.mu/2013/09/09/riche-terre-large-property-development-jin-fei/
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