Lu Ban
Construction of the Cambodiana was initiated by Prince Norodom Sihanouk in the early 1960s. He originally requested a 10-bungalow luxury resort/government guesthouse, but noted Cambodian architect Lu Ban Hap suggested a larger international luxury hotel would be more profitable. Lu designed the structure in the then-popular New Khmer style. Construction of the Cambodiana began in 1963, on stilts on reclaimed land. The hotel opened in 1969, with 100 rooms, but only operated for a year. In 1970, Lon Nol's troops overthrew Prince Sianhouk and converted the hotel to military barracks. The hotel was abandoned during the Khmer Rouge period, later serving as refugee housing.