Futuristic design for Cayman resort unveiled in Miami
(CNS Business): The design for the proposed resort in the Beach Bay area of Bodden Town was unveiled at an art gallery in Miami recently when developers announced the winning architects for the US$250 million hotel they are building at St James Point. Beach Bay Land Limited (BBLL) said TEN Arquitectos won the competition, beating out Garcia Stromberg and SB Architects. Describing the futuristic design as “a Caribbean icon that is sensitive to the existing tropical environment”, John Layton, the principal and managing director of firm, said the design “integrates the architecture as art and in harmony with nature”.
The developers say the long-anticipated resort will open in the autumn of 2018. Set on a 16-acre property with a 1,000 foot beachfront, the plans for the development include a 200-room hotel with more than 90 residential units, as well as restaurants, a spa and shops.
With a design now on the table, which Layton said was selected because of the team’s record of success and bold ideas, the developers were looking forward to working with TEN to deliver “this exciting and unique project”.
TEN Arquitectos has built a portfolio of projects, including hotels and universities. Enrique Norten from TEN said he looked forward to bringing the project to life with a local cultural and environmental response. “Providing more integrated environments for living and travel, without their losing connection to nature or sense of place, is key to the success of a project like this,” he said. “We have a unique concept here that will fit harmoniously within the landscape.”
The government has been pointing to private sector capital projects as the drivers to future economic success for Cayman but a number of promised projects have failed to materialise yet outside of those being undertaken by the Dart Group.
Kurt Tibbetts, Minister for Planning, said he was pleased to see the continued momentum of this project. “We are yet another step closer in this project,” he said. “I have seen the project schematics and I believe this will be a wonderful project of which the Cayman Islands will be very proud.”
Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell was equally delighted with the announcement of the design architect for the St James Point project.
“The combination of a site with unique architecture, luxurious accommodations, a spectacular beach, secluded location and natural beauty, will provide everything necessary for St James Point to compete successfully,” he said.
BBLL signed an MOU with government in September which included concessions worth some $25 million to the public purse. The developer has committed to working with local business and employing Caymanians. In the release announcing the design, officials from BBLL said TEN Arquitectos would be working with local Cayman architect Andrew Gibb.
Category: Construction, Local Business
Has an EIA been done on that sea wall on the reef they have planned?
It’s a good thing the CPA refused Whiterock permission to ‘level’ the adjacent cliffs to ten feet above sea level, just to the east of this project. I’m not sure the potential clients of this development would have appreciated an active ‘quarry’ noisily blasting and obliterating the ancient limestone-karst forest “landscape,” so lovingly featured in the projected designs. The ‘quarry’ would have completely destroyed the existing profile of the coastline.
I will have to see this to believe it…
Prices on Ritz condos will be heading south with these about to come online.
Is Kurt as excited about this project as he was about the Ice Rink?
Like the ice rink, ironwood development, rum point golf resort will never get built. A nd thirty years to build the south sound enterprise zone whatsapp complete farce.
Ps what ever happened to the.much lauded blue sky airline that was going to open up the Caribbean another Cayman failure. This country could have so much to offer but is failing so badly it is very sad.
Kurt never cease to amaze me!!
love love love
This design seems to either intentionally or otherwise, block access to the beach. Cayman should not be privatizing beaches.
I’ll soon be another West Bay Road (if there are plans for future expansion) i.e. Gated/Private Communities, and Public Beach Accesses being hi-jack by Hotel/Condo Owners – and their Lawyers.
I’m not against development – but I’m against over-development. I just hope this is Government controlled development that allows locals and residence right to the peace and comforts of great Island Living! I, particularly, love the quasi iron-shore terrain, tropical landscape, cool breezed, and quiet of Beach Bay.
Let’s hope this project enhances the area neighborhood(s) and economic sustainable for the people of this country.
PS> Awesome job on the architecture.
At long last, some really exciting, attractive architecture for Grand Cayman! Hurrah! Heaven knows, it’s looong overdue! With but a very few exceptions we’ve got to have the most dull, boring architecture imaginable – and even the exceptions are nothing to brag about. This looks GREAT! GO, GO, GO!
I like the pace at which this is moving. Hopefully nothing comes up to derail it from schedule.