The Fiji Sun understands the Tappoo Group is making significant investment in purchasing land on Denarau Island in Nadi.
The land, approximated to be three acres, is located right next to the Port Denarau Commercial Complex (opposite the Palms Apartments).
While no official comments have been obtained, it is also understood the seller is Suresh Patel, director of Automart Limited.
The land is one of the last few big lots available on the ever-growing and popular tourism hub, Denarau Island.
The Tappoo Group is generally involved in high-end retail business and is headquartered in Sigatoka.
It also has tourism investments.
Tappoo’s main retail rival, Motibhai Group, already owns the land being used for a car park in front of the Port Denarau Commercial Complex.
It is not yet clear whether Tappoo plans to build a resort or invest in a retail shopping outlet.
With the amount of traffic on Denarau Island, especially tourists, a high-end retail shopping mall might prove to be a big attraction.
Whereas another area of interest where there is potential demand is for a transit hotel.
The buzz has been that Motibhai is looking at developing the land on which the car park is built on for its own retail complex.
When and if this eventuates is now a waiting game as Motibhai had previously indicated to the Fiji Sun that it had no plans to build on this land. But its competitor seems to be in the game for sure now.
As for Mr Patel, word on the street is, he is among those busy with the acquisition of the Starwood Properties on Denarau which includes the famous Sheraton Fiji Resort.
This article first appeared in the Fiji Sun on August 25, 2016.