In a bold move echoing the spirit of Marco Polo and the Silk Road adventurers of old, only this time with better linen and complimentary Wi-Fi, Minor Hotels has officially broken ground on its very first Avani-branded property in Singapore. It’s as much a statement of intent as it is a development milestone.
The 200-key lifestyle gem is rising on 24 Peck Seah Street in Tanjong Pagar, a precinct where heritage is more than a marketing buzzword, baked into every brick. Come 2027, this 14-storey beacon of modern hospitality will stand where old-world charm meets the unrelenting pace of a metropolis determined never to sleep.
And if that sounds dramatic—well, it is.
Avani Singapore – Ground Breaking Ceremony
The project is a cosmopolitan ménage à trois between Thailand’s Minor Hotels, Japan’s Kajima Development, and Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba Investment. The trio, it seems, are more than willing to place their bets on Singapore’s ever-pulsating tourism heartbeat. If that’s not an endorsement of confidence in the Lion City’s hospitality scene, I don’t know what is.
Breaking Ground, Breaking Norms
The ceremonial hard-hat affair was not your average photo-op. It brought together a who’s who of industry luminaries and diplomatic heavyweights—including the ever-charismatic Mr William E. Heinecke, founder and chairman of Minor International (Minor Hotels’ parent company), who looked every bit the hotelier-cum-visionary as he kicked off the event with a warm welcome.
“Today’s groundbreaking is a proud moment for Minor Hotels as we introduce the Avani brand to Singapore,” he said, wearing that familiar blend of boardroom polish and barefoot-island charm. “With our trusted partners Kajima and Al Wathba, we’re not just building a hotel—we’re planting a flag. One that celebrates innovation, excellence, and Singapore’s unique cultural fusion.”
Hear, hear.
Also lending gravitas to the morning’s proceedings was H.E. Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Managing Director of Al Wathba Investment, who didn’t mince words about the symbolism behind the spade work.
“This groundbreaking marks more than just the start of construction—it represents a shared vision to deliver a hospitality experience that truly captures Singapore’s spirit and the depth of our collaboration,” he said.
From across the East China Sea, Kajima Development’s CEO, Mr Shuichi Oishi, chimed in with that steely Japanese composure: “This project reflects our continued commitment to Singapore and confidence in its long-term hospitality growth. We’re proud to be part of the city’s journey to becoming a world-class destination.”
And suppose you’re wondering who ensured the whole thing didn’t sink into the city’s ever-shifting urban bedrock. In that case, you can thank Kim Hua Construction and DP Architects, represented by Managing Director Winston Zhu Wenting and Chairman Angelene Chan, respectively.
Not to be left out, diplomatic brass was well represented, too. Guests of Honour included H.E. Hiroshi Ishikawa, Japan’s Ambassador to Singapore, and H.E. Mrs. Ureerat Chareontoh, Thailand’s top envoy—because if you’re going to break ground, you may as well bring half the region with you.
Avani’s Coming Home—In Style
So what can we expect from this new Avani Singapore?
Avani Singapore – Bedroom Interior Render
Think less “cookie-cutter conference haunt” and more “urban sanctuary with a twist.” The hotel promises to blend the elegant bones of Tanjong Pagar’s historic shophouses with Avani’s signature sleek, social-friendly vibe; no wonder the lifestyle crowd is already salivating.
Guests will be treated to a rooftop pool deck (because no modern hotel is complete without one), the chain’s signature AvaniFit gym, a suite of dining concepts designed to seduce even the most jaded palate, and a pedestrian link connecting Peck Seah and Tras Streets—because, let’s face it, convenience is king.
And for those who worry about schlepping across town? Relax. Tanjong Pagar MRT Station is 200 metres away, while Maxwell MRT is a stone’s throw further. Whether you’re heading to the Marina Bay Sands or slipping into a CBD boardroom, you’re sorted.
A Strategic Stroke in a Crown Jewel City
With more than 640 properties across 57 countries, Minor Hotels is hardly the new kid on the global hospitality block. But this Avani launch feels less like a corporate rollout and more like a love letter to Singapore—a declaration that this island nation still reigns as the heart of Asia’s hotel renaissance.
And in case anyone doubted the timing, consider this: Singapore’s tourism numbers have come roaring back, business travel is no longer a dirty phrase, and premium hospitality experiences are firmly in vogue.
Avani Singapore, it seems, will arrive not a moment too soon.
By Yves Thomas
