Bermuda-based Sea Containers Ltd. plans to acquire a 19.9 percent stake in Charleston Center LLC., owners of a North Carolina hotel and shopping complex.

Charleston Center owns the 440-room Charleston Place Hotel and shopping complex in South Carolina.

The hotel and shopping complex, located in the historic centre of Charleston, will be managed by Orient-Express Hotels Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sea Containers.

Sea Containers and Taubman Realty Group made the acquisition announcement in South Carolina on Wednesday.

Owners will seek to upgrade the hotel from a four-star property to a five-star level.

Revenues from the hotel, which includes shopping centre rents, are estimated at $30 million yearly, said Sea Containers president Mr. James Sherwood.

Sea Containers and Orient-Express would generate significant profits from the investment, management and related transactions.

The property complements the company's Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans, Sea Containers said. Orient-Express owns the Lodge at Vail, Colorado, and on September 14 announced its purchase of the well-known 21 Club located in New York City. The company also owns and operates the Hotel Cipriani in Venice, the Mount Nelson in Cape Town and the Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro.

Investments in leisure properties in 1995 were estimated at $60 million, including Charleston Place, the 21 Club and a third hotel under negotiation.