The international hospitality sector is experiencing a tangible shift in how emerging markets attract foreign operators. A fresh case in point: Radisson Hotel Group has formally committed to Tashkent through a memorandum of understanding with MANAR Development, signing on to anchor what may become Central Asia’s most ambitious hospitality-led redevelopment initiative. The project will transform the vacant site of the historic Chorsu Hotel into a 100,000 square meter mixed-use complex blending contemporary commercial standards with urban renewal on a striking scale.
A reimagined district emerges from urban decay
The Chorsu MANAR project represents far more than a single hotel opening. Over 100 million dollars in capital will reshape this central Tashkent location into an integrated destination comprising residential apartments, corporate office space, the four-star Radisson property, retail galleries, and entertainment facilities — essentially a self-contained urban ecosystem rather than a traditional hotel-only investment.
The Radisson hotel component itself occupies 14 floors with 230 guest rooms, supported by a two-level underground parking structure and seamless pedestrian connectivity to the surrounding commercial and entertainment zones. A dedicated guest entrance maintains operational distinction. Construction will begin following the scheduled December 2025 launch of residential components, with hotel operations projected to launch by the end of 2029.
David Jenkins, Vice President of Business Development at Radisson Hotel Group, explained the strategic calculus: “At Radisson, we seek prime locations for portfolio expansion, and the Chorsu MANAR project in the historic center of Tashkent meets all criteria — scale, prestige, and potential. We are confident that our partnership with MANAR Development will provide guests in Uzbekistan with the Radisson level of service combined with the country’s unique cultural experience.” This represents the brand’s seventh property in Tashkent, with plans already advancing for additional Radisson locations in Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and at Charvak Reservoir outside the capital.
Tourism acceleration reshapes investment priorities
The decision to prioritize hospitality infrastructure at this location reflects a quantifiable shift: international tourist arrivals in Tashkent are accelerating, outpacing the current supply of contemporary rooms and services. MANAR Development’s leadership determined that this particular urban site — with its prime central positioning and historical significance — represented the optimal location to address this capacity gap while simultaneously catalyzing broader district renewal.
Davron Fayzimatov, CEO of MANAR Development, positioned the hotel as integral to the complex’s viability: “The Radisson-branded hotel will serve as a key anchor for Chorsu MANAR, enhancing its status as a world-class urban destination. Our goal is to create an architectural complex that becomes a landmark, offering high-quality service and well-developed infrastructure.” The developer conducted deliberate negotiations with multiple international hotel operators before selecting Radisson, ultimately valuing the brand’s calibrated balance between service standards and pricing strategy.
The memorandum explicitly commits both parties to implementing established international hospitality protocols and developing comprehensive district infrastructure capable of attracting sustained flows of leisure and business travelers. This operational specification signals that Uzbekistan’s hospitality ambitions now extend beyond isolated property openings toward systems-level market professionalization.
What this signals for international market participants
For international businesses evaluating hospitality, construction, mixed-use development, and commercial real estate opportunities across Central Asia, the Chorsu MANAR project offers concrete evidence of market maturation. The combination of substantial capital commitment, international brand participation, demonstrated local expertise, and formal infrastructure planning reflects conditions increasingly favorable for sophisticated commercial initiatives. Tourism acceleration across the Silk Road corridor continues generating demand for contemporary accommodations and services, creating sustained investment momentum that extends well beyond Tashkent into regional hubs like Samarkand and Bukhara. The success of integrated urban development models — where hospitality anchors broader commercial ecosystems — may establish templates for replication throughout Central Asia’s emerging urban centers.
