Only six years after its founding, Kakha Devadze’s company Next already has 20 projects in three countries to its name. The 39-year-old businessman’s ambitious goal is not only to erect buildings in cities but to build new cities from scratch.
„We talk to our investors in 11 different languages,“ – Kakha Devadze tells us. With its 300-strong team, his company manages 20 construction projects across three countries. They include 12 hotel-type residential complexes in Batumi, Chakvi, and Gonio, the Next Coral complex in Dubai, and four residences in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. The company portfolio also includes internationally recognized quality brands such as Radisson Blu Residences and Wyndham Residences.
Complex projects implemented in partnership with global firms – nothing bigger could have emerged in the Georgian development market. However, Kakha Devadze’s vision goes beyond erecting buildings; he aims to establish new cities.
The first steps toward this ambitious goal were taken six years ago. “I became interested in the development sector when I realized the importance of real estate investment for people and how securing a high return on investment affects their sense of security,” Mr. Devadze explains.
He devoted the first part of his journey to learning from international brands and gathering experience. However, he soon realized that in order to implement large-scale plans, he had to turn Next into a global brand in its own right. His vision was clear from the start: to create quality facilities based on values such as environmental responsibility, security, and reliability. Chief among the values was the emotional component: the harmony created by the proximity to nature and the sea.
Planning is one thing; implementing the plans is another. Soon after the company’s foundation, the pandemic challenged its global vision. During this period, most international brands faced difficulties such as supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and stringent health and safety measures. Under the leadership of Kakha Devadze, Next turned problems into opportunities. In this period of general uncertainty, Kakha Devadze outlined clear goals and prospects for Radisson Blu Residences and Wyndham Residences. Together with these international brands, Next set its sights on Gonio, where the construction of two 5-star residences and a hotel-type residential complex began.
“I believe that the quality of our guests will reflect the quality of our hotels and apartments. This will also determine the future of our country,” Mr. Devadze states.
Kakha Devadze wants to implement a new lifestyle:
- Modern architecture that has a positive effect on people’s mood, psychology, and everyday life;
- A comfortable environment created by service spaces and supporting infrastructure;
- A high standard of quality;
- A management company that looks after investors’ property and ensures a high return on investment.
Modern design trends and aesthetics coexist harmoniously in all Next projects. Design and architecture are Kakha Devadze’s main passions. “Architecture is about people, their psyche, and their mood. This is everything for us. Before we start construction in a country or location, we study the surroundings, and foremost of all the architecture.”
Next Coral is an example of this approach. Before its construction, Kakha Devadze and his team spent a year researching local companies, business environments, and experiences in developing artificial islands.
“Starting the project in Dubai gave us the opportunity to conduct research and study successful local companies to understand how they work, what they spend the most resources on, and how they handle projects. Today, we are guided by similar standards.”
Next Coral is being built on the artificial Dubai Islands right by the coastline and consists of 80 premium apartments, two swimming pools, a modern fitness center, and a restaurant. Dubai Islands were designed by the same master developer who previously worked on Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali. The residence will have two golf courses, the city’s largest shopping mall, and a yacht club nearby. This project ensures a sense of calm and stability through its architecture, quality, and location. Kakha Devadze and his company offer customers security, coziness, harmony, and positive emotions.
The Next Amani residential complex will embody the same spirit in Kenya. The facility consists of four residences with 193 apartments, a swimming pool, a fitness room, a restaurant, and a garden. At the same time, the park in front of the complex will include a walking path for giraffes.
Kakha Devadze’s ambitions cannot be contained within Batumi, Dubai, and Nairobi. While working on large-scale projects in Georgia and abroad, the businessman developed the idea of creating new cities.
“Cities with exemplary construction and architecture built by master developers, this is where we see the future of our company. For this, we need to have an unparalleled reputation, confident investors, as well as satisfied and grateful customers,” Kakha Devadze explains.
An excellent example of proper urban development is the Spanish city of Valencia, which won the award for the best European place to live in 2023. This city will soon be added to Next’s portfolio.
“It was fascinating to learn about urban planning in Valencia and the methods used there to resolve big-city problems,” Kakha Devadze states.
The city made such a strong impression on him that he decided to use Valencia’s example and experience to develop new urban centers in Georgia.
To this end, Next plans to diversify development and build other types of real estate in addition to residential complexes. For example, work has already begun on the construction of a sports school and athlete rehabilitation center in Batumi. The resort of Kvariati will house Next Gardens – a new project with 5-star hotel infrastructure and olive gardens that will be unique to the region.
“Our goal is to dare say that we can establish small cities,” Kakha Devadze says.
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