Calcutta: Shristi Hotel Private Ltd, part of the Kanoria Foundation, is looking to build its presence in the hospitality segment through new projects and the expansion of existing properties.

The company, which has started commercial operations of its hospitality project Westin Kolkata, plans to continue with the model of managed properties where a developer builds the property and a hospitality brand manages the operations.

Sujit Kanoria, managing director of Shristi Hotel, said the company had expertise in developing residential townships and commercial projects, and has now ventured into the hospitality sector.

"We are proud to partner Mariott International in bringing holistic hospitality experience to the city. There are plans of new projects in addition to expansion of Westin Kolkata in phases. At the same time, we are constantly exploring opportunities to create a similar mixed use development in different parts of the country," said Kanoria.

At least two new projects are in the pipeline with a cumulative room count of around 400 keys.

Shristi expects to add 134 rooms in the second phase of expansion of the Westin Kolkata, taking the total room count to 314. Besides, there are serviced apartments and shopping malls, which are expected to take off over the next three years.

One of the attractions of the hotel is a helipad, and Shristi officials said it had been constructed keeping in mind the visits of political leaders and other VIPs. The project, however, was delayed because of a pending clearance from the Airports Authority of India.

Kanoria said they would now apply for helipad use rights. "We have spent Rs 1,100 crore on the project so far and would spend another Rs 400 crore," he added.