Vincent Tan faces pushback over Iceland hotel plans

Vincent Tan faces pushback over Iceland hotel plans

Reykjavík City Council claims he is trying to build on land that it owns.

 Tycoon Vincent Tan wants to build a hotel and apartments in Iceland. (Reuters pic)
PETALING JAYA:
Tycoon Vincent Tan has faced opposition from Icelandic authorities to his plans to build a Four Seasons hotel and apartments on the Miðbakki wharf in the nation’s capital of Reykjavík.

According to a report in the Iceland Monitor, Tan’s plans for the 323,000 sq ft hotel extended to land claimed by the Associated Icelandic Ports. The port authority had submitted a letter of dissent to the planning officer in October.

Tryggvi Þór Herbertsson, Tan’s representative in Iceland, told local news outlet Morgunblaðið that if approval was granted, work could begin immediately, with operations beginning in 2023.

However, Kristín Soffía Jónsdóttir, vice-chairman of the board of the Associated Icelandic Ports and member of the Reykjavík City Council, said that “no agreement exists between (Tan) and (Reykjavík) harbour”.

He compared Tan’s plans to building on the neighbour’s property without permission.

“It is amazing to be applying for a change to city planning on a lot that is not under your control.”

In January, Tan – who founded Berjaya Corporation – became a 75% stakeholder in Icelandair Hotels and has already secured ISK 40 billion (RM1.19 billion) in funding for the Miðbakki wharf project.

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