Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The groundbreaking ceremony for the 25-storey Annapurna Square, a modern complex featuring a shopping arcade and a five-star hotel in the Durbarmarg area of Kathmandu, was held on Sunday.
Annapurna Square is jointly promoted by the Hotel Annapurna Group, Bhat-Bhateni Group, and Little Angels Group. It will be built on the site where Hotel de l’Annapurna currently stands.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Min Bahadur Gurung of Bhat-Bhateni Group said the building is being constructed as a symbol of Nepal’s beauty. “An Indian architectural firm has designed the project. The hotel is expected to come into operation by mid-April 2028,” he added.
Annapurna Square has already signed an agreement with ITC Hotels of India to manage the hotel, which will be branded as a Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels. The hotel will cover 900,000 square feet and feature 350 rooms, 40 apartments, and three banquet halls with capacities of 2,500, 2,000, and 1,500 people.
The arcade, to be built within the hotel premises, will be completed within 18 months. It will also house an outlet of Bhat-Bhateni Supermarket, according to Gurung.
The project is estimated to cost Rs 6.5 billion.
