KUCHING, January 7 — The Four Points by Sheraton Kuching/Century Kuching Hotel is being transformed into Wisma Elica by award-winning real estate developer Elica Sdn Bhd.
Two historic projects will be part of this massive renovation: Care Collective, the largest senior wellness centre in East Malaysia, which is operated in association with My Care Concierge Sdn Bhd (Care Concierge); and Vovo Kuching, Malaysia’s first “voco” hotel, which is operated in conjunction with IHG Hotels & Resorts.
The decision to turn the abandoned building into Wisma Elica was “informed by comprehensive market studies where the findings revealed a significant demand for additional hotel rooms and ballroom space in Kuching, driven by the city’s growing reputation as a hub for business events and tourism,” according to Elica managing director Datuk Bobby Ting.
One of the main conclusions is that Kuching’s tourism increased to pre-pandemic levels in 2023, with four million visitors. There is an urgent demand for more superior lodging because this number is predicted to increase by 8% a year.
The demand for a development like Wisma Elica was further supported by a lack of event space, especially spaces that could accommodate big conferences, weddings, and exhibits.
At an event yesterday that revealed the complete plans for Wisma Elica, he stated, “The project will significantly bolster Kuching’s MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) sector with a 1,300-capacity grand ballroom and over 2,400 square meters of versatile event spaces.”
Datuk Wee Hong Seng, the mayor of Kuching South, was also there.
As the anchor of Wisma Elica, Ting claims that Voco Kuching, which is scheduled to open next year, combines the allure of sustainability with well-considered design to provide an outstanding visitor experience.
“With 321 opulent rooms, top-notch amenities like a cutting-edge fitness centre, swimming pool, and lively dining options and event spaces—all with sustainability initiatives as part of its core principles—Vovo Kuching is set to redefine hospitality in Sarawak,” he said.
According to Ting, Elica’s research also revealed notable changes in the population, which made the creation of Care Collective—a joint venture between Elica and senior living expert Care Concierge—necessary.
“We have conducted in-depth research on senior care in Malaysia, and it is a crucial area that is now woefully underdeveloped.
We chose this path because our research indicates that there are two key factors influencing this group: first, life expectancy is rising, which is good news for the elderly, and second, family sizes are decreasing, which means that fewer children are taking care of the elderly.
“We want to establish this operation here because, based on a market analysis of the entire Malaysian market, such a facility is not easily accessible in Kuching.”
In this regard, Ting praised Care Concierge as a tech start-up with a varied portfolio that includes high-end assisted living facilities, home care, and daycare centres, as well as an award-winning senior care and post-hospitalization operator.
Their goal is to become one of Malaysia’s top providers of comprehensive senior care by offering solutions utilizing creativity, design-thinking, and technology.
A team of qualified caregivers and care professionals, Team Care is motivated by compassion and a desire to improve the lives of our elderly residents and their families.
“Their chief operating officer, Justin Yap, and chief executive officer, Martin Yap, lead their team.”
The wellness centre, which will include 92 rooms spread across independent living units (ILUs) and assisted living units (ALUs), a rehabilitation centre, a senior clubhouse/daycare facility, post-hospitalization recovery programs, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) services, is anticipated to open at Wisma Elica in the first quarter of next year.
Local retirees, post-hospitalization patients, expatriates, and members of the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program are among the varied customers that the wellness centre is intended to serve.
With space for up to 125 inhabitants, it is the biggest facility of its sort in East Malaysia.
Care Concierge, which is in charge of nine senior citizen daycare centres and assisted living facilities in Peninsular Malaysia, is in charge of the management – The Borneo Post
