The long-planned mixed-use project on the site of the former Curium Palace hotel in Limassol is advancing towards licensing, with authorities yet to finalise key planning and building permits, industry sources say.

The 13-storey development, rising to 54 metres, will combine commercial and office space on land once occupied by the historic hotel, which was demolished in 2024 after efforts to save it failed, according to Entrepreneurial Limassol, a periodical published by the Limassol Chamber of Commerce (Evel).

According to Limassol’s town planning authority, only a limited set of requested design modifications remain under review before the formal planning and building permits can be issued early next year.

The environmental regulator has already granted a positive reasoned determination with conditions, which is publicly available through the environment of department.

When asked about progress, Achilleas Kalopedis, director of the environmental sector at ALA Planning Partnership Consultancy, said the permitting process is ongoing and tied to those outstanding adjustments.

He stressed that, “regarding the start of works, there is no specific date yet,” noting any estimate would be premature until the approvals are secured.

The environmental assessment foresees several benefits for Limassol’s urban fabric, including strengthening mixed commercial and office use, boosting economic activity through jobs during construction and operation, and enhancing a key central location.

Measures to mitigate dust, noise, traffic, waste and light pollution are also outlined, reflecting conditions of the environmental clearance.

Architects for the scheme say construction could begin once all permits are in hand, with completion expected roughly 30 months later, at an estimated cost of €22 million.

The project design splits the building volume to create green spaces at height, and will include 103 parking spaces, four of them for people with disabilities, alongside five bicycle spots.

At full operation, it is expected to employ around 500 people and accommodate about 40 visitors a day.

Situated adjacent to a public car park and commercial zone and west of the Limassol Archaeological Museum, the project near the municipal garden, roughly 50 metres to the south-west.