On the evening of November 4, 2026, Orbi Group and Block Group laid the foundation stone for “Cipriani Batumi” in Batumi. The plans include a luxury hotel with 100 rooms and 70 independent residences. Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze also attended the presentation, according to public broadcaster 1TV.
The Italian brand Cipriani already lists Batumi as a future resort location on its official website. This also gives the project a visible place within the brand's international network on the company's own channels.
Hotel and independent residences
Orbi's General Director Irakli Kverghelidze outlined the details of the proposed uses ahead of the presentation. According to his statements, reported by BM.ge, the complex will include an event hall, restaurants and entertainment areas alongside the hotel. The 70 residences are intended to be independent of the hotel. BM.ge and Geotimes report that a 43-storey building is planned, with the design provided by British architecture firm WilkinsonEyre.
Ronaldinho also attracted attention. The former Brazilian football star was introduced at the event as the first buyer of a residence and received a symbolic key. A capsule was placed in the foundations to mark the official start of construction.
Batumi advances in the luxury segment
Cipriani's story began in Venice in 1931. Today, the brand's portfolio includes restaurants in New York, London, Monte Carlo and Dubai, as well as hotels and residential projects at other international locations.
We see this combination as particularly interesting for Batumi: the project brings together residential living, an internationally recognised brand and an extensive dining and leisure offering. This draws greater attention to the concept of “branded residences”, meaning residential properties associated with a hotel or hospitality brand.
The government also emphasises the economic significance. According to 1TV, Kobakhidze described the brand's entry into the market as a sign of Georgia's appeal to foreign investors. During the presentation, he also highlighted the prospect of new employment opportunities and a boost to the economies of Batumi and Adjara.
What does this mean for buyers and investors?
For buyers, the announced project broadens the choice at the upper end of the market. Those looking for a residence with access to dining and other amenities will have a new concept to consider.
The announced independence of the apartments deserves particular attention. What matters in practice is which hotel services owners will actually be able to access, how management will be organised and what ongoing costs will apply. The available reports do not yet provide specific purchase prices or a completion date.
We see the long-term appeal of such projects in the combination of quality of living, service and international visibility. These qualities are also relevant to a property's future positioning on the resale market.
Our conclusion
Cipriani Batumi brings another international impetus to the development of the Black Sea city. The combination of hotel, residences and dining shows how diverse Georgia's tourism infrastructure is becoming. We see this as a positive step for Batumi's profile as a place to live and invest: a higher-quality offering strengthens the city's long-term appeal and creates an important foundation for growth in its property values.
