The Department of Environment has conditionally approved environmental studies for the construction of two 68-metre towers by Israeli-owned company Solvin Ltd on Larnaca’s seafront, paving the way for a €40 million development project.
The project, named “Aqua Residences”, proposes building two 15-storey towers just under the permitted height limit of 68 metres (at 67.7 metres), featuring ground floors, mezzanines, 155 parking spaces, swimming pools, gymnasiums, spas, roof gardens and public green spaces.
The approval comes with strict conditions that must be met before construction can begin. Most critically, approximately 40% of the plot has been compromised by coastal erosion, requiring complete land reclamation before any planning permission can be issued.
The authority has mandated shoreline monitoring for at least six months, including the winter period, until the system stabilises.
Additional requirements include strict adherence to the 68-metre height limit as specified in the Area Plan, and comprehensive planning assessment by relevant authorities for all approval conditions. The Department of Environment emphasised that final planning permission evaluation must only be completed after the land is secured and its stability guaranteed.
The authority noted that tower height remains primarily a planning issue requiring additional evaluation. The project was originally submitted for assessment in June 2023 under applications A138/22 and A139/22, with the Department of Environment conducting site visits in November 2024 and consulting extensively with public services including the Public Works Department, Fisheries Department, Geological Survey Department, Water Development Department, and Larnaca District Self-Government Organisation, as well as environmental organisations such as Terra Cypria.
According to the study, beach reclamation must be completed in accordance with coastal engineering studies before construction begins. Coastal monitoring includes winter period checks until stability is achieved.
Following approximately two years of construction work, the twin towers will create a new urban landscape with increased green coverage (30% of the area) and significant community space. Despite additional costs from the required coastal work, total project cost is estimated at €40 million.
Local authorities must now conduct detailed evaluation of the final planning application whilst ensuring full compliance with the Environment Department’s environmental specifications.
