Bill Gates Four Seasons Resort Project Rejected by Puglia Region

The regional government of Puglia, Italy, has rejected a €100 million luxury resort plan for a nine‑hectare site in contrada Mogale near the historic town of Ostuni. The development, to be operated by Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, would have been led by Bill Gates, who holds a majority stake in the brand through Cascade Investment, together with the Israeli Omnam Investment Group and local partner Merletto srl.

Puglia officials, led by President Antonio Decaro, argue the project misuses the Special Economic Zone (ZES) authorization and fails to meet the urgency criteria required by law 124/2023. Environmental groups—including Legambiente, Italia Nostra, Geos Ostuni and a local habitat‑protection committee—have filed legal challenges, warning that the resort would damage forests, agricultural land and the coastal landscape.

The regional council’s decision has been supported by the left‑wing AVS party, which called for the revocation of the single‑zone permit and urged the national government to intervene. Puglia plans to appeal the earlier approval, emphasizing the protection of the area's natural heritage over high‑end tourism development.