Solares IRS: Pioneering M.I.C.E. in Africa

When I first arrived in Mauritius in 2005, it wasn’t just the turquoise coastline or the gentle rhythm of Flic-en-Flac that drew me in—it was the possibility. A possibility to build something that went beyond real estate, something that could reshape the island’s economic horizon.

“I was commissioned to help lead the vision behind one of the first approved Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) projects in the country, Solares IRS. From the beginning, the mission wasn’t simply to sell luxury housing units. The Cheekhooree Brothers, whose family legacy is rooted in generations of sugar cane farming, saw this land not only as a valuable inheritance, but as a platform for transformation. Together, we wanted to create an economic catalyst, a place that could attract ideas, investment, and people of influence.

The vision for Solares was bold and holistic. It wasn’t a single development, it was an ecosystem. The project blueprint included three casinos, a world-class shopping mall, concert halls, luxury hotels, and dedicated technology parks to attract digital and innovation-based enterprises. We also designed a hospital and medical centres, fully optimised for medical tourism, recognising Mauritius’s potential to become a regional wellness and recovery destination.

And because accessibility underpins inclusivity, we put in place an innovative island-wide transport arrangement. Visitors from all corners of Mauritius, whether from Port Louis, Curepipe, Mahébourg or Goodlands, could reach Solares with ease via a network of free shuttle buses. This was not just about convenience; it was about democratising access, ensuring that Solares belonged not only to those who could drive there, but to everyone who had a reason to participate, be it for work, entertainment, learning, or trade.

Of course, working within the IRS framework required a keen eye for practicality. With the scheme mandating that all residential units be priced at a minimum of USD 500,000, we had to ensure that value matched regulation. To make the equation work, for both investors and residents, we designed many of the apartments as dual-key units. This configuration allowed owners to maximise returns and flexibility: living in one section while renting the other, or accommodating extended family, guests, or caretakers without compromising privacy. It was a solution rooted in both economic logic and lifestyle adaptability.

That’s where M.I.C.E., Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions, came into focus for us. In the global tourism landscape, M.I.C.E. is a powerful force. It brings not just affluent travellers, but decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and global leaders. When done right, M.I.C.E. tourism turns a destination into a crossroads of innovation and influence.

Solares IRS was envisioned as more than a high-end development. We imagined a space where CEOs would retreat with their boards, where international delegates could meet under palm trees instead of sterile conference halls, and where ideas would be exchanged over Mauritian sunsets. A place where hospitality meets enterprise.

I’ve seen what M.I.C.E. can do when it’s integrated into the DNA of a place. Visitors don’t just come for a night, they extend their stays, bring families, explore the island, and invest. Every event becomes an opportunity for local chefs, artisans, musicians, and service providers to shine. And every delegate that leaves Mauritius carries a story, and often, a reason to return.

We wanted Solares to spark that cycle. The kind of place that draws conferences on sustainability, digital innovation, and African-Asian business cooperation. A venue where investors don’t just look at brochures, they walk the sugarcane fields, meet the people, and taste the culture.

The Cheekhooree Brothers understood this intuitively. They didn’t just want buildings on their ancestral land, they wanted legacy. And legacy, as we agreed, is built not on concrete, but on contribution.

That’s why we focused on integrating infrastructure that could support high-calibre events: multi-purpose pavilions, green-certified meeting spaces, curated gardens for private launches, and seamless access to regional airports. But beyond bricks and logistics, we prioritised storytelling, crafting an experience that positioned Mauritius not only as a postcard paradise, but as a serious, sophisticated hub for global dialogue.

One key takeaway from doing this project: it takes unity. True unity, between visionaries, landowners, policymakers, planners, and local communities. Without alignment among the key players and stakeholders, the potential falls apart. Determination is not a luxury in this line of work, it is a necessity. And yes, it takes guts. Guts to challenge old habits, to imagine differently, and to stay the course when the road bends more than expected.

M.I.C.E. within an IRS context, I’ve learned, is about more than hospitality. It’s about nation-building. It creates employment, demands talent, strengthens sectors like logistics and marketing, and elevates service standards across the board. When paired with strong local partnerships, like the one I found in the Cheekhooree family, it becomes a platform for shared prosperity.

And yes, the residences matter. But what gives those homes lasting value isn’t just the view, it’s the vibrancy of what happens around them: the conferences that inspire, the partnerships that take root, the events that bring the world a little closer to Mauritius.

For me, Solares isn’t just a project. It’s a belief that real estate can carry a soul. That development doesn’t have to be extractive, it can be expansive, inclusive, and deeply human. And it all began in 2005, with a vision shared by a few sugar cane farmers and a team of professionals, acting as dreamer from abroad...”