Project: Waterfront Project
Architect: Balmond Studio
Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Completion: Expected 2018
Built Area: 422,000 sqm
Program: Mixed Development
Budget: $650 million
Client: John Keells Holdings
Waterfront Project by Balmond Studio redefines Colombo’s skyline as Sri Lanka’s first self-contained urban enclave. Situated in the city’s premier district, the 2014–2018 masterplan delivers a six-star hotel, luxury residences, a sprawling retail center, office towers, and multi-level parking—truly a “city within a city.”
Integrated Urban Living
First, Balmond Studio’s full-spectrum role—architecture, engineering, cost control, project management, and site supervision—ensured seamless coordination across all components. Consequently, apartment blocks and office buildings flank landscaped promenades, while the centerpiece six-star hotel anchors the waterfront promenade. Moreover, the retail precinct offers high-end boutiques and dining, promoting day-to-night activation.
Holistic Design and Interior Excellence
Next, public interiors across the Waterfront complex were meticulously crafted to unify spatial experience. From grand hotel lobbies with soaring ceilings to light-filled atria in the retail center, every space blends local materials with contemporary detailing. In addition, Balmond Studio’s interior design palette draws on Sri Lankan heritage—teak joinery, hand-woven textiles, and artisanal lighting—imbuing each public realm with a sense of place.
A Landmark for Colombo
Finally, by integrating multiple uses—hospitality, residential, commercial, and office—around a stunning seafront setting, Waterfront project stands as an icon of 21st-century urbanism in Colombo. With construction complete in 2018, this forward-thinking development continues to attract global attention, setting a new benchmark for mixed-use architecture in Sri Lanka.
