Construction of Aura tower in Limassol highly questionable
The ambitious project to build the tallest skyscraper in Limassol, named Aura, might never move beyond the planning stage. Despite securing planning permission, recent reports indicate that investor interest in the high-rise is lacking.
Aura was envisioned as a premium residential complex in the Neapolis district, replacing the former ERA shopping centre, just 80 meters from the sea and beach. The 44-storey tower, designed by renowned British architects Foster + Partners, was planned to reach 181.5 meters in height and feature 136 luxury apartments, ranging from two to four bedrooms. The ground floor was set to begin at 24.3 meters above ground level, enhancing the building’s striking presence.
A standout feature of the design was the inclusion of landscaped gardens, intended to seamlessly integrate the skyscraper into the urban environment. The project's total cost was estimated at 108 million euros.
The site on which the new residential complex will be built is currently occupied by the former ERA shopping centre, an underground car park and a surface car park. According to the development plan, the demolition of the existing structures will be followed by the preparation of the site for the construction of Aura, which will include
- 136 apartments;
- Mechanical rooms on the 1st, 3rd, 13th, 29th, 43rd and 44th floors;
- A linear park (with a square, public green areas and facilities for people with special needs);
- Reception, restaurants, shops and entertainment services on the basement level;
- Car parking on the 4th floor;
- Storage facilities;
Access to the skyscraper site will be via 28 October Avenue, Mavromihali, Kyreni and Andreas Zaimis Streets, which will cross the project.
It should be noted that the project has been under review since 2019. It has been repeatedly criticised by local officials, including the former mayor of Limassol, Nicos Nicolaides, who initially opposed the construction of the tower. The main opponents, such as AKEL's Michalis Sokratous and DISY's Michalis Vassiliou, have raised concerns about the economic viability, environmental impact and feasibility of such a development. Sokratous criticised the cluster of tall towers in the area and said the economic conditions were not right. Vassiliou questioned the compatibility of the tower with the narrow site, highlighting the potential negative impact.
Indeed, the main disagreement was over the height of the tower and the suitability of the site for such a large development. In the end, however, the developer was allowed to use the area under Andrea Zaimi Street for an underground car park, thus resolving the issue.
Stockwatch.com.cy