Ayat Share Company is inviting qualified grade two and above architectural firms to participate in an open design competition for the renovation and expansion of the Ras Hotel.

Invitation Brief for Architectural Design Competition

4B+G+57 Hotel and Multi-Purpose Building Complex

1. Background

Ayat Share Company is a well-organized and known Company with diversified operation. Ras hotel is one of the sisters companies engaged in hospitality business. The Hotel is one of Addis Ababa's oldest hotels, known for hosting dignitaries and being part of Ethiopia's hospitality heritage.

Ras Hotel is located on Gambia Street in central Addis Ababa, near the National Theater. Its exact coordinates are approximately Latitude: 9.01504° N, Longitude: 38.75230° E, making it a prominent landmark in the city's cultural district. Its position near the National Theater and major squares makes it ideal for cultural and business activities. IT is easily reachable from Bole International Airport (approx. 4 miles away). The site is historically significant and centrally placed, making it ideal for an iconic heritage-inspired development.

Figure 1: Location map of the site

The existing hotel is currently demanding renovation and expansion to respond to the growing demand of the sector and optimally use the potential of the site.

Therefore, the purpose of this brief is to invite qualified and capable grade two and above architectural firms, to participate in an open architectural design competition for the envisaged 4B+G+57 Hotel and Multi-Purpose Building Complex. The competition seeks innovative, sustainable, and context-sensitive design solutions that will create a vibrant public destination comprising an iconic architectural landmark hotel and mixed-use building complex.

2. Objectives

The proposed project aims to create an iconic architectural landmark hotel and mixed-use complex that reflects Ethiopian heritage, particularly inspired by historic root heritages, while integrating modern hospitality world-class hospitality facilities commercial, cultural, and conference spaces that serve both local and international visitors and ensure the design enhances Addis Ababa's skyline and contributes to urban regeneration.

Therefore, the competition seeks proposals for the design of a world-class hotel and mixed-use building complex that:

a. Reflects Ethiopian heritage, mainly inspired by Ethiopian iconic heritages like Aksum Obelisk, Lalibela's rock-hewn churches, Gonder Fassil Castle, Harer Jegol wall etc.

b. Enhances Addis Ababa's skyline, cultural identity and tourism attraction.

c. Provides modern hospitality, commercial, cultural, and conference facilities.

d. Integrates the existing historical Ras hotel building into the new development.

e. Incorporate sustainable and energy-efficient design strategies.

f. Provide functional, flexible, accessible and affordable spaces.

g. Demonstrate innovation in design and construction.

h. Offer practical and economically feasible solutions

3. Scope of Design

The design package should include, but is not limited to:

a. Iconic design: Ethiopian heritage motifs blended with modern architecture.

b. Hotel facilities: 5-star hotel with 3,200 bedrooms accessible to all class (luxury, middle and economic class room), restaurants, lounges, offices and service areas.

c. Commercial spaces: Souvenir shops, cultural clothing tailors, retail outlets.

d. Office spaces: Flexible layouts for modern business needs. 

e. Conference facilities: Large halls, syndicate rooms, multipurpose spaces.

f. Leisure facilities: Swimming pool, gymnasium, musical recreation facilities.

g. Auditorium: Capital marketing and cultural events.

h. Historic integration: Preservation and magnification of Ras Hotel.

i. Urban design: Landscaping, pedestrian circulation, connectivity.

j. Parking: 1,500+ car spaces.

k. Infrastructure: Reservoir, laundry, electrical, generator, MEP systems, stores

4. Deliverables / Submission Requirements

It is a requirement that the deliverables shall be recognized with adequacy design level and based upon good practices of design and drawing accomplishment in preliminary design level.

4.1 Participants must submit at least the following outputs in both soft and hard copies: -

a. Conceptual design proposals (3D renderings. sketches, models).

b. interior design concepts reflecting Ethiopian heritage.

c. Sustainability strategy.

d. Brief descriptive report of the proposed design with cost estimates

e. Anonymous competition code (with Competition Title: Design Competition for the 48+G+57 Hotel and Multi-Purpose Building Complex)

4.2 The followings documents shall be submitted inserted in separate sealed standard C-series envelopes and stapled together at one corner.

a. One set of presentation drawings labeled 'DRAWINGS

b. A CD/DVD disk labeled 'DIGITAL FILES'

c. An-identification form in the envelope labeled 'IDENTIFICATION'.

4.3 The identification envelope shall contain the identification form only. The identification form shall not be altered and shall be completed in full. The 3D-view, required for identification purposes, shall be a copy of the same photo print that was fixed on the first drawing sheet, (horizontal/landscape orientation) glued firmly in the window provided.

4.4 An entrant shall not disclose her/his/its identity in any manner. The jury shall disqualify any entry that has disclosed or attempted to disclose his/her/its identity.

4.5 Entries will be identified through a system that uses a form depicting a 3D picture of the design submitted in the identification envelope.

4.6 Any name, mark or number (except drawing sheet numbers) entered on or within the drawing sheets, CD/ DVD disks, reports, envelops, model or wrapping will be regarded as non-compliance with the regulations and will result in penalties that may lead to elimination

5. Receiving of Entries

5.1 The number of entries will be verified by committee to be assigned by the Promoter in the presence of entrants who wish to stay behind and witness the procedure.

5.2 Upon conclusion of the verification procedure, and after asking any entrants present to leave, the committee will sign in each the envelopes and assign a serial number for each entry by writing it on each of the three envelopes.

5.3 On the same date, the committee shall hand over the envelopes labeled 'DRAWINGS' and 'DIGITAL FILES' to the competition organizer and retain the envelopes labeled 'IDENTIFICATION'.

5.4 The identification envelopes shall then be inserted in a large envelope, appropriately marked and signed. and kept in a secure place until the jury submits its adjudication report.

5.5 The competition organizer will open the 'DRAWINGS' and 'DIGITAL FILES' envelopes, on the same date, and write the assigned serial numbers on each drawing sheet and CD/DVD disk.

6. Evaluation Criteria and System

The competing design will be evaluated by a Jury Panel Comprising a distinguished panel of architects urban lanners, engineers, and cultural experts.

Entries will be evaluated based on:

7. Awards, Privileges and Obligations

a. For all participants there will be recognition through publication, exhibition and award certificates

b. 1st level winning design will be awarded a monetary prizes honorarium lump sum of 1.3 million Birr and invited to negotiate for downstream design and construction supervision services

c. 2nd level winning design will be awarded a monetary prizes honorarium lump sum of 1,000,000.00 Birr

d. 3rd level winning design will be awarded a monetary prizes honorarium lump sum of 700,000.00 Birr.

e. The company will have an unquestionable right to use three winning designs and/or part of the design and the design ideas.

f. When the 1st level winning design is commissioned for execution (for detail design and supervision) it is obligatory to incorporate selected best ideas of the other wining designs.

8. Competition Schedule/ Timeline

a. Competition announcement / Launch: July 29/2026

b. Registration deadline: August 15/2026

c. Site visit and Debriefing Session: To be announced/ communicated for the registered competitors

d. The design and proposal submission deadline: December 16/2026

e. The design and proposal opening, presentation date for the Jury and winner announcement: To be announced/communicated for the Entries

9. Competition Rules

a. All submissions must be original and unpublished.

b. Entries shall remain anonymous until completion of jury deliberations.

c. Ayat Share Company reserves the right not to award a winner if no submission meets the required standards.

10. Registration & Contact

Interested participants should send official intent letter to the company and get registered. It is to be noted that Ayat SC reserves the right to reject all or any of the proposals submitted.

Address and contact details for:

a. Intent letter and proposal submission: Debash Melaku (Tell +251 92 524 4725)

b. Inquiries: Engineer Asmerom Tadesse (Tel+251 91 151 7855)

Tender details

• Deadline: 2026-12-16
• Bid closing time: 17:00
• Bid opening: 2026-12-16 17:00
• Bid opening (note): No Specific Opening Date and Time
• Region: Addis Ababa
• Publishing entity: Ayat Share Company
• Buyer TIN: 0000008573
• Buyer address: ዋናው መ/ቤት ሲ.ኤም.ሲ ሚካኤል ጀርባ
• Published on: Reporter (Aug 05, 2026)
• Posted at: 2026-08-05T11:08:46.000Z
• Buyer website: https://ayatrealestate.com/