Gran Kaz Entertainment Centre Undertakes Renovation Work On Iconic National Monument

The Gran Kaz Entertainment Centre has recently acquired a lease on Kenwyn house - the beautiful and very well known national monument in the heart of Victoria - located on Francis Rachel Street.

Since the building’s last tenant moved out two years ago this heritage building has fallen into a state of disrepair and now Gran Kaz will embark on a journey to restore this iconic building to its former glory.

The house, which was built in 1855, and declared a national monument in 1984, is a fine piece of historical architecture, exemplary of the French colonial style of the time, which for us has become synonymous with traditional Creole architecture. It is regretful that it now stands in such a dilapidated state. This magnificent building is a part of our Seychellois history, a part of our Seychellois heritage, and as such we wish to preserve it for the many generations to come. Such beauty and charm should not be allowed to disappear. It is in the interest of the public that this heritage site has new life breathed into it.

Gran Kaz operates an entertainment facility in the building next door, Mercury House - also a 100+ year old national monument - which Gran Kaz restored in 2013 at as cost of SR 15 million, and now wants to give back to the community yet another cultural treasure in Kenwyn House.  

Due to the historical importance of the building, Gran Kaz intends to ‘donate’ the main area inside the House to a cultural and arts showroom, which will operate as a gallery and not as a commercial venture. Visitors, locals and tourists, will hopefully visit the Kenwyn House to take photographs and to view the art pieces inside. If they wish to purchase any of the items on show they will be given the contact details of the respective artists. The basement of the building will be used to house some of the Gran Kaz corporate head offices.

Renovation works have begun already on the house through the reputable contractor Laxmanbhai & Co. This restoration will follow the guidelines of the National Monuments Board and the original structure, look and feel will be restored.

It is a challenging project, much more so than building a new building, and requires delicacy and time and not to mention the cost in monetary terms. Gran Kaz will be funding most of the project and hopes to seek some assistance from other companies who are prepared to contribute CSR funds.

Works are to be completed by July this year, and we look forward to being able to reopen this fantastic site to the public, allowing them to visit a safe, sound structure, with much to offer those keen on an immersion into arts and culture. Hopefully the restoration of these two national architectural treasures- in Mercury House and Kenwyn House- will go someway to saving what is left of Victoria’s architectural charm.