N$85m hotel construction commences in Swakopmund… 200 temporary jobs to be offered

SWAKOPMUND – Tourism and conservation company Ultimate Earth is investing N$85 million in a five-star boutique hotel in Swakopmund.

This project is expected to create almost 200 temporary construction jobs and about 50 permanent positions.

The Bohlen Hotel, located in the town’s central business district, is expected to open late 2027, while construction started earlier this month.

The company, formerly known as Ultimate Safaris, said the development aims to expand Swakopmund’s tourism offering while creating employment and business opportunities for local people.

Managing Director of the company, Tristan Cowley said the project is intended to complement existing tourism businesses rather than compete with them.

“We are not coming to Swakopmund to replicate what already exists or compete with established businesses. We want to contribute something distinctive, attract new visitors and complement the tourism experiences that make this town so special,” Cowley said.

The hotel will be developed in the heritage-protected building formerly known as Villa Wille, which was constructed in 1909 as the private residence of Hermann Wille, an architect and building engineer who contributed to Swakopmund’s early development.

According to Cowley, they appointed local architects Mackintosh Lautenback and construction company Fritze & Quelle to guide the restoration and redevelopment of the building while preserving its architectural heritage.

He says the hotel’s name is inspired by the Eduard Bohlen, a passenger and cargo ship that ran aground along Namibia’s Skeleton Coast in September 1909.

“The development will feature 14 suites, comprising eight classic suites, four heritage suites, including a family suite, and two attic penthouse suites,” he said.

The new facility will also include a spa, gym, and restaurant. The restaurant will also be open to local residents and visitors who are not staying at the hotel.

The company said the project has received approval from the Swakopmund Aesthetics Committee, the National Heritage Council and the Swakopmund Municipality for its building plans, following the necessary regulatory processes.

Cowley said the company aims to ensure that the investment benefits the town beyond accommodation and hospitality.

“High-end tourism can be a powerful driver of development. It creates opportunities for people to acquire skills, build careers and earn sustainable living, while supporting local businesses and the wider economy,” he said.

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