Organic development: how the hotel infrastructure of GORO Mountain Resort is created.
We started with emotional, even futuristic ideas to create the most captivating architecture. After that, we adopted a rational approach and calculated a conservative hotel development option that would perfectly align with technical and economic indicators while maximizing profits.
The foundation for development was a comprehensive year-round concept for GORO Mountain Resort, created in collaboration with world-class Austrian experts PKF Hospitality and ILF Group. For the large-scale project spanning 1200 hectares, we first determined the maximum comfortable number of skiers that could simultaneously be on the slopes—25,000 people per day. Since not all of them would be staying at the resort hotels, we calculated the optimal number of accommodations—13,000 guests, requiring 5,150 rooms.
To establish the hotel infrastructure of the resort, the OKKO Group team founded its own development company, GORO Development. This company is responsible for developing architectural concepts, construction, functional and recreational filling, as well as attracting investments into the hotel business. The first round of investment in this direction is planned to launch at the beginning of March.
1ORGANIC DEVELOPMENT: RESPECT FOR THE CARPATHIANS
The appearance of the first phase hotels at GORO Mountain Resort established the architectural code for the entire resort. The buildings are integrated into the natural terrain, arranged in a cascading manner at various angles, and limited in height to 30 meters.
This approach at GORO Development is referred to as organic development. In addition to integration into the natural landscape, the architecture is designed to utilize areas with minimal tree coverage. The use of natural colors and materials in architectural and design solutions creates a unique organic atmosphere that harmonizes beautifully with nature. Each building is situated so as not to cast shadows on others. Thus, GORO Development ensures that 95% of the rooms and infrastructure have picturesque views of the mountains.
2LIMITEDNESS: SPACE AND NATURE
The second principle of GORO Development is that nature must always remain the main character.
Therefore, the density of development at the resort is less than 25% of the total area of 1200 hectares. In the first phase, this figure is even lower—10%. The true value of the stay is determined not by the number of hotels but by the quality of the environment they create. A resort with low-density development allows for a reasonable balance where nature and living comfort complement each other.
3COLLECTIBILITY: NOT EVEN TWO ARE ALIKE
The third rule of GORO Development is that architecture and services should not repeat but must correspond to a unified architectural code to maintain a cohesive perception of the resort. Each designer hotel is a unique architectural idea with its own history, style, and service offerings, created based on the life scenarios of various guest categories.
The approach of GORO Development is based on the principle of diversity without chaos. The unity of the architectural code allows for the harmonization of space, ensuring a balance between the individuality and character of each object and the overall development concept of the resort.
The Svyatohirsk community, where GORO Mountain Resort is located, is simultaneously working on developing a general plan for the resort area and its own architectural code, so that new businesses and projects emerging around the resort will organically complement and expand the tourist experience for guests in the region.
The GORO Development team has crafted various concepts for recreation and entertainment for each hotel complex, considering all possible weather conditions in different seasons (winter, summer, rain). All hotels will be built in a ski-in/ski-out format and located no more than 150 meters from the ski lift, featuring their own ski depot. This setup will allow guests to conveniently ski directly onto the slopes (ski-out) and return to their rooms after skiing (ski-in).
Each hotel, for example, will have its own SPA concept tailored to the various needs of guests. A Wellness-SPA will offer relaxation programs and restorative treatments, a Carpathian SPA will include traditional baths and outdoor hot tubs, a private SPA will cater to those seeking solitude and personalized service, while a family SPA will provide special programs for children of different ages. Additionally, a medical SPA will focus on therapeutic procedures, massages, and wellness programs for comprehensive health improvement.
4Guests will have access to dozens of establishments of various formats: restaurants featuring world cuisines, gastronomic spaces, cafes, bars, and even a bakery. The development of GORO's infrastructure will also encompass the business segment. Hotels will offer not only meeting rooms and coworking spaces for strategic sessions and business meetings but also spacious halls equipped with modern technical facilities for presentations and training sessions. The territory will include venues for business conferences, concerts, exhibitions, and cultural events of various formats.
To provide a more personalized and varied client experience, the company is creating a unified service system for the resort called "All-In-Access." Regardless of which hotel the guest stays at, they will gain access to all attractions and entertainment, restaurants, spas, sports and business areas, equipment rentals, and sports schools at GORO Mountain Resort.
APPROACHES PROVEN BY EXPERIENCE
To implement a cohesive concept for the resort's hotel infrastructure, as a large-scale project in the hospitality and recreation sector, OKKO Group has formed a strong team, relying on the group's 23 years of experience in development, property management, and construction of complex engineering facilities.
Leading GORO Development is Volodymyr Harazd, a top manager with over 15 years of experience in real estate and construction, who has been part of the OKKO Group team for more than two decades. Since 2014, he has headed the group's development direction, which includes the companies "Vash Dom" (residential construction), "Tekhnopark" (office real estate), and "Prohrestekhbud" (general contractor).
The projects realized by this team have become symbols of urban infrastructure development and comfortable living. In particular, this includes the largest business center in western Ukraine, "Tekhnopark," with an area of 80,000 sq.m, the largest residential complex in Lviv, "Pasichny," on a 14-hectare site, and the first complete complex of low-rise construction in Lviv, the residential quarter Villa Magnolia.
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