MONROVIA, Montserrado – Less than two weeks remain for interested companies to submit expressions of interest to renovate and manage the old Ducor Intercontinental Hotel.

The Ducor Hotel was originally constructed in the early 1960s and was internationally recognized as a four-star hotel in Liberia. After the civil war, the hotel was abandoned and has remained in a poor state.

The National Investment Commission now wants to see the property, which sits on more than eight acres of land that rises about 150ft above the Atlantic Ocean, renovated and revitalized. The commission issued a request for expressions of interest for interested firms to Build, Own, Operate and Transfer the property.

The request for expressions of interest recalled the storied past of the hotel, noting that it “catered to international and domestic travelers—including heads of states, and high-power diplomatic entourages.”

It also added that the hotel “was also famous for its iconic historical landmarks, an Olympic sized swimming pool, and tennis court.”

Back of Ducor Hotel photo by Jefferson Krua

The government is aiming to see the structure turned into a five-star hotel with several amenities, including a casino. Firms have until Wednesday, August 29 to submit the necessary documents.

“Prospective bidder or consortium must be an established recognized brand with a strong presence in Africa, USA, and Europe,” the National Investment Commission stipulated. “The brand must have a chain of hotels, resorts, and experience in managing four to five-star hotels, lodges, and casino resorts in key tourism and business locations worldwide.”

In January 2011, the Liberian government under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf had handed the Ducor Hotel to the Libyan African Investment Company, an investment arm of the Libyan government, for redevelopment. The Libyan government was also investing in a rubber processing facility, in addition to a rice project in Lofa.

However, the fall of the Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi one year later brought all developments to a dead end.

Featured photo by Lloyd Massah