Development is proceeding at a fast pace in the Oroklini municipal district of Larnaca, both in the tourist area and the almost saturated residential area. Currently, investments exceeding €150 million are underway in Oroklini. Along with the Livadia district, Oroklini is leading the rapid growth of the Larnaca region.
However, huge property demand has created a critical need for new infrastructure, prompting Vice Mayor Neophytos Fakontis to request new state projects.
“Development continues rapidly; a lot of houses and apartments are under construction right now,” Mr Fakontis said. “We have been waiting since 2023 for approval of the urban planning zones requested by local authorities for development, because land plots have run out, leading to a large increase in prices. New areas must open up.” He indicated that the largest investments are in Oroklini’s tourist zone.
Palm Beach Resort leads investment
The largest single investment currently running within the Larnaca Municipality boundaries is the Palm Beach Resort by Premium Access Cyprus, expected to exceed €100 million. Located on the Oroklini coastal strip, the project is under full development and the company expects completion by October 2026.
The project is a mixed development, which includes a five-star hotel, luxury ground-floor private residences, an apartment tower, dining areas, entertainment spaces, a wellness centre, modern conference facilities, and underground parking. The five-star hotel will feature 164 rooms. The development also includes the Waterfront Residence, a four-storey building with 20 apartments; the Seabreeze tower, a ten-storey apartment building located behind the hotel; and The Beach House Residences, comprising luxury villas.
bbf: begins €50 million villa complex
The first major Larnaca investment by bbf:, one of Cyprus’s largest land development companies, is also underway. On a 57,000 square metre site in the Oroklini tourist area, bbf: will construct 89 villas among large green spaces. The design also includes new roads, pavements, and playgrounds.
The total cost of the project, named Synergy, is expected to exceed €50 million. The company started construction on the first nine villas a few weeks ago, according to the Oroklini Vice Mayor.
Notably, bbf: will also participate in the first phase of the ambitious Land of Tomorrow project, on the site where the oil storage facilities were relocated, alongside the Lefkaritis Group and Foster + Partners.
State infrastructure urgently neede
Before merging with the Larnaca Municipality, Oroklini was Cyprus’s largest community by the 2021 census, with 7,575 residents, highlighting the long-term growth the area has experienced. The continuous rapid population increase has led to significant infrastructure needs, including schools, roads, pavements, and green spaces.
Mr Fakontis said the district urgently needs new schools. “We immediately need another primary school and a kindergarten, something we have been requesting for ten years,” he noted. “The President of the Republic and the Minister of Education promised us they would be built, but even if the school started today, the earliest a student could enter is in five years.” He stressed that procedures must move quickly.
The Ministry of Education confirmed that some of Oroklini’s needs will be covered by the Livadia Regional Primary School, which is currently in the study phase. The study will last 12 months, and tenders for construction are expected to be announced within the following year. Based on this timeline, the school is not expected to operate before 2029.
The second major request is the reconstruction of the avenue connecting the tourist area to the heart of Oroklini. This road lacks basic infrastructure, making it dangerous, especially for pedestrians crossing it to visit Oroklini Lake.
“Many tourists visit the lake from the hotels in the area, and there are no pavements or cycle paths,” Mr Fakontis pointed out. “There was not even lighting, and we installed 50 photovoltaic panels to light it. We are asking for the reconstruction to be fast-tracked.” He noted that three months ago, the Town Planning Department prepared a plan and sent it to the Environment Department for comments. While the department previously held a negative view due to the proximity of the lake, Mr Fakontis highlighted that other countries create pedestrian paths around lakes for people to walk and enjoy them.
The extension of the heavily used Oroklini coastal walkway has also been pending for years. This phase will increase the walkway by 1.3 kilometres, from the Lebay hotel to the Marsellou apartment building, and is expected to cost over €4 million. The Town Planning Department approved the updated extension plans, but the issue stalled due to objections from a private individual who allegedly illegally extended his premises into the beach protection zone.
Finally, the Oroklini Vice Mayor renewed the request for the installation of sound barriers to improve the quality of life for those affected by noise pollution from the motorway leading from Rizoelia to Ayia Napa and Paralimni.
“The Government promised to install panel-type sound barriers along with photovoltaics, and the electricity generated will be used for the needs of Oroklini and vulnerable groups,” Mr Fakontis noted, adding that they expect the implementation of the promise made.