Despite Reports, Kempinski Hotels Does Not Have A Management Contract For A Property In Cuba... Yet

Since 2014, there have been reports by media outside the Republic of Cuba and media inside the Republic of Cuba that Geneva, Switzerland-based Kempinski Hotels SA had signed a management contract with Republic of Cuba government-operated Habaguanex SA and/or Republic of Cuba government-operated Gaviota SA.; both entities under the control of Republic of Cuba government-operated Grupo de Administracion Empresarial S.A. (Enterprise Management Group), or GAESA, which is, in turn, controlled by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of the Republic of Cuba (FAR). 

Kempinski Hotels SA has not (yet) signed a management contract with any Republic of Cuba government-operated entity.
 
From media reports:

2016: "Cuba's approval for a French company to import Indian workers to build a Havana hotel has been met with disbelief, anger and complaints about a policy that usually requires foreign companies to hire local workers through state labor agencies.  About 200 workers from India hired by the French Bouygues company are renovating the Manzana de Gómez, an iconic building that was Havana's first shopping mall, the Reuters news agency reported. The Swiss Kempinski chain will run the luxury hotel in a deal with GAESA, a holding company controlled by the Cuban military."

2014: "It hasn’t opened its doors yet, but the Manzana Hotel in Havana is currently undergoing round-the-clock renovations to restore it to its former grandeur. Scheduled to completed and opened by late the end of this year, it will offer ultra-deluxe accommodations managed by the Swiss hotel group Kempinski.

In the early 20th century, the building was known as the Manzana de Gómez Block. The Manzana covers an entire city block in Havana on the streets Zulueta, Monserrate, Neptuno and San Rafael. It’s in an ideal location in Old Havana, next door to the Hotel Plaza, facing the Parque Central across from the Hotel Inglaterra.

The original construction of the building began in 1890, but the project ran into problems and was not completed until about 1918. In its earlier days, it was once a shopping mall and offices, owned by the wealthy businessman José Gómez-Mena Vila. Gómez added four floors to the structure and completed it around 1918.

Habaguanex and Gaviota S.A. are currently managing the project of restoring the building. Renovations and reconstruction, which began in early 2014, go on 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

When completed, the 5 Star luxury Manzana Hotel will offer over 200 suites. It will be managed by the luxury Swiss hotel chain Kempinski. Project plans for the Hotel include a selection of luxury boutiques on the ground floor."

The original condition of the building (From Granma)

What is expected after the completion of renovations (From Granma)