The public will soon have the opportunity to visit the newly refurbished National Palace, a project resulting from a collaboration between the public and private sectors. This revitalization includes several tourist attractions, such as a luxurious hot spring spa, and will be open after Ethiopian Christmas.
Thanks to financial and technical assistance from the French government, the palace—originally built in 1955 and named Jubilee to honor Emperor Haile Selassie I’s Silver Jubilee—has undergone significant renovations over the past five years.
The palace, managed by Unity Park, which also oversees the Grand Palace of Menelik II, is set to open after Gena (Ethiopian Christmas) on Tuesday, January 7, according to information obtained by Capital from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).
Covering over 27 hectares, the National Palace is located in the heart of Addis Ababa, directly opposite the Economic Commission for Africa and near the Filwuha hot spring.
The palace has welcomed numerous notable international figures, including French President Charles de Gaulle and Yugoslavian President Josip Broz Tito. It now hosts a variety of tourist attractions, including the emperor’s collection of luxury cars and train wagons.
According to data obtained by Capital from OPM, Emperor Haile Selassie amassed over 80 limited edition and vintage luxury cars as gifts and purchases.
Alemtsehay Paulos, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Head of the Prime Minister’s Office, noted that the museum within the palace’s main building will feature a number of priceless artifacts.
She added that additional items will be stored in four warehouses constructed on the property as part of conservation and restoration efforts, stating, “The display may include only up to two percent of the emperor’s collections.”
“The private sector development scheme was a key component of the renovation work,” she explained.
For example, Debabe Coffee Garden invested 110 million birr to renovate one of the compound’s oldest buildings, offering guests a selection of Ethiopian coffee.
The property also includes several dining options and a clothing store.
Among the facility’s main features is a wellness center, built on the western side of the estate, covering a total area of 8,000 square meters.
The facility, which cost 1.38 billion birr to complete in less than five months, will provide VIPs with a variety of spa services utilizing the local natural hot spring.
The Ethiopian government has allocated a substantial, undisclosed amount for the rehabilitation, primarily to construct the car display facility, while the French government has contributed 25 million euros towards the renovations.
According to OPM, tourist revenue from Unity Park has been used to fund government expenses. Although the exact entrance fee has not been disclosed, it is expected to be significantly higher than the current charges at Unity Park.
