Located in the heart of the Central Business District, the World Trade CenterColombo celebrates25 successful years, continuing to mark its presence as the city’s most iconic commercial landmark andsought-after business address.
In 1991, founder and chairman of the Shing Kwan Group, Singapore, S.P. Tao, with visionary foresight and entrepreneurial spirit set course to develop a futuristic commercial complex in the Island. To achieve his goal, Mr. Tao acquired Overseas Realty (Ceylon) Ltd., a listed company in the Colombo Stock Exchange, which owned the undeveloped plot of land at Echelon Square.
As among the first and most prominent foreign investors in Sri Lanka, Tao realised that to fulfil his vision, an ingenious plan with three major givens was required - the most appropriate design concept, a world leading construction company and no bank borrowings.
Tao’s enthusiastic passion for Sri Lanka and unyielding confidence of its growth prospects, was brought to fruition with the 39-storey twin towers being commissioned.Fast tracking development for the country, the ground-breaking for the country’s then tallest structure, with an investment of USD 130 million, took place in 1992. It was at that time said to be the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) and years ahead of any commercial development in the country.On 12 October 1997, the WTC Colombo was formally declared open.
Tao’s bold leadership steered the company throughout three decades where he functioned as Chairman until his demise last year.