Tourism and conservation company ultimate.earth is investing N$85 million in a five-star boutique hotel in Swakopmund, Namibia. The hotel, named The Bohlen, will be developed in a heritage-protected building in central Swakopmund and is expected to create almost 200 temporary jobs during construction and around 50 permanent positions once operational. The project has received approval from the Swakopmund Aesthetics Committee, the National Heritage Council, and the Swakopmund municipality.
The Bohlen, which began construction on 12 October, is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2027. According to ultimate.earth, construction is expected to take approximately one year. The company aims to create employment, support local businesses, and broaden Swakopmund's tourism offering with this project. ultimate.earth's managing director, Tristan Cowley, stated that the company wants to contribute something distinctive to Swakopmund, attract new visitors, and complement existing tourism experiences.
The hotel will occupy a building originally known as Villa Wille, constructed in 1909 as the private residence of Hermann Wille, an architect and building engineer associated with early Swakopmund. The property has served as a private residence, medical consulting rooms, and a hotel in the past. ultimate.earth has appointed local architects Mackintosh Lautenback and construction company Fritze & Quelle to guide the restoration and redevelopment of the building.
The project extends ultimate.earth's high-end, low-volume tourism model into an urban setting. Cowley stated that high-end tourism can create opportunities for people to acquire skills, build careers, and earn sustainable livelihoods while supporting the wider economy. The company operates camps and lodges across Namibia, focusing on supporting employment, skills development, conservation partnerships, local businesses, and community initiatives.
The hotel's name is inspired by the Eduard Bohlen, a passenger and cargo ship that ran aground on Namibia's Skeleton Coast in September 1909. The wreck has since become a recognised maritime landmark. Historical accounts suggest the stranded ship was later used to accommodate diamond miners, providing a further link between the vessel and the hotel's purpose. Cowley stated that the company recognises its responsibility to preserve the building's historical significance while giving it a new purpose.
The Bohlen will have 14 suites, comprising eight Classic Suites, four Heritage Suites, including a Family Suite, and two Attic Penthouse Suites. Facilities will include a spa, gym, restaurant, and brasserie serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a 24-hour reception. The restaurant will also be open to local residents and other visitors, in addition to hotel guests. The hotel will provide access to Swakopmund's shops, galleries, cafés, attractions, and coastline within walking distance.
The company said the hotel would target high-end travellers while encouraging visitors to use existing businesses and tourism experiences in the town. Cowley stated that the project's success would be measured not only by the hospitality experience offered to guests but also by the employment opportunities created and the economic value returned to Swakopmund. The project is expected to preserve the building's architectural heritage while introducing contemporary design and modern facilities.
Key points
- ultimate.earth invests N$85 million in a five-star boutique hotel in Swakopmund, creating jobs and broadening tourism offerings.
- The hotel, The Bohlen, is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2027 and will have 14 suites and various facilities.
- The project aims to create employment, support local businesses, and preserve the building's historical significance.
