DECONSTRUCTED: Divine intervention

Plans for Europe’s first Christian theme park have been announced, but will it be a godsend for Blackstone? PERE Magazine October 2010 issue.

The Blackstone Group is the proud owner of a large leisure park portfolio, so perhaps it will be interested to know a new asset is is being developed that could be added to its investments.

A developer called Sigma is bringing a version of the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, to Mallorca, an island off Spain in what is being billed as Europe’s first Christian theme park. The €10 million facility is being built on four municipal rubbish dumps at Capdepera in the north of the island. If it copies attractions of the Orlando venue it could have a model of Jerusalem, a temple, a communion spot, garden tomb, and live re-enactments of Jesus telling parables twice a day. The main entrance to the park could be modelled on Bethlehem.

Last time PERE looked, Blackstone Real Estate’s portfolio had picked up, so we’re not sure in how much divine intervention is needed. But the Christian park could nevertheless be a godsend if the firm wants more assets.