Eden Realty is in advanced discussions with Mayfair Hotels & Resorts to operate two of the three luxury hotels the developer plans to build along the Hooghly, signalling a fresh push to revive Kolkata’s long-neglected riverfront as a hospitality destination.
The developer, which has primarily focused on residential projects in Bengal, plans to invest ₹600 crore through 2030 to develop the three hotels. Two properties will come up in south Howrah, while the third will be located in Garden Reach in Calcutta.
Eden Realty plans to develop one of its proposed Howrah properties as an herbal spa, capitalising on its proximity to the Botanical Garden in Shibpur. The developer will build the villa-style G+1 hotel on a 5-acre site, with 60-80 rooms and an estimated investment of ₹100 crore.
“The riverfront redevelopment initiative taken up by Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, has allowed us to take land parcels next to the river on a long lease for commercial development. As part of this, we plan to build three luxury hotels that will bring Calcutta’s riverfront into the hospitality map,” Arya Sumant, managing director of Eden Realty, said.
Eden has already signed initial term sheets with the two hotel operators, while due diligence is currently underway before the parties enter into definitive agreements. The developer will also require formal approval from the port before starting construction.
The Garden Reach project will be the largest of the three proposed hotels. Eden plans to develop the property on a 10-acre plot located next to the port’s upcoming labour dock museum, with plans for 200 rooms.
The developer intends to position the hotel as a wedding destination and tap into the growing market of celebrations hosted outside the city.
“We want to develop this one as a wedding destination. So many people travel outside for weddings; we hope to get a slice of that market,” Sumant explained.
Eden Realty is in talks with Mayfair Hotels & Resorts to operate the Garden Reach property. The project expects to require an investment of ₹350 crore.
Mayfair already operates multiple hospitality properties across the hills and foothills of the Himalayas in north Bengal, giving it an established presence in the region’s hospitality market.
The third project will be a 100-room hotel planned on a 6.5-acre site in Shibpur. The property will be located next to Eden Realty’s 38-acre township, Westshore.
Eden is currently in discussions with a leading hospitality chain with ties to Calcutta to operate the hotel. The project expects to involve an investment of ₹150 crore.
Together, the three developments will expand Eden Realty’s presence into hospitality while creating a cluster of luxury properties along the Hooghly.
The developer also plans to use existing jetties along the Hooghly, including some located close to the proposed hotels, to operate dedicated ferries connecting the properties.
“We want to create a network across the river that can be leveraged for hosting weddings and events on a large scale. We just hope the connectivity to these locations from the city improves,” Sumant said.
The planned ferry network could support the hotels’ positioning as wedding and event destinations while improving connectivity between the riverfront properties and the city.
Eden Realty’s proposed ₹600-crore hospitality expansion comes as redevelopment efforts along the Hooghly create new opportunities for commercial and tourism-led development. With luxury hotels, a wedding-focused property, an herbal spa, and dedicated river connectivity, the projects could give Kolkata’s riverfront a stronger presence on the city’s hospitality map.
