Planning Notice: Ariel Sands Hotel Development

The planning notice for the proposed redevelopment of the Ariel Sands property in Devonshire has been posted, saying the developers plan a hotel-condo development consisting of two and three bedroom single storey villas, a restaurant, spa, gym, beach club and more.

The planning notice [PDF] said, “Proposed Redevelopment of Former Ariel Sands Hotel Site for a Hotel-Condo Development consisting of 74 Keys in 26 Two and Three Bedroom Single Storey Villas and 18 Units in a 5 Storey Arrivals Building, which will also accommodate a Reception Area,a Restaurant, a Spa, Salon, and Gym, Beach Club with Restaurant,Dining Terrace and Pool, a 79 ft long Sea Wall, Landscaping and Supporting Works and Infrastructure including Roadways, Parking Areas, a Sewage Treatment Plant, Pumping Stations, Rock cuts and Retaining Walls to a Max. height of 12 ft.

Video of Ariel Sands conceptual stage visualizations by Onsite Engineering

The development is owned by actor Michael Douglas, who set Facebook buzzing with a post last year saying, “Just returned from Bermuda, the home of my mothers family for the last 400 years! The family has had a cottage colony called Ariel Sands for the past 60 years. Now we are building a new one… very exciting.”

The groundbreaking for the development, which is said to be costing some $90 million, was held in November of last year with those in attendance including with Mr Douglas, Premier Michael Dunkley, Minister of Economic Development and Education Dr. Grant Gibbons, Minister of Tourism & Transport Shawn Crockwell and Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy.

The groundbreaking ceremony

The draft of the Environmental Impact Statement says, “This $90 million development will see the rejuvenation of the former cottage colony into a vibrant 5 star small boutique hotel that provides for 999 year leasehold units, which will also be hotel keys. The proposed site is currently a derelict, brownfield, oceanfront site with a long history as a tourism/hotel venue.

“Ariel Sands has been operating as a resort in this location since December 1954, and this is the first major renovation of these facilities. At the time of its closure in 2008, there were 47 cottages. The projected opening of the new hotel is the first quarter of 2017.

“The proposed development encompasses 13.8 acres of the former Ariel Sands Hotel site which situated on Ariel Drive, off South Road in Devonshire. The site will be redeveloped for a new condo-hotel, providing for privately owned of units, which will also be hotel keys.

“A total of 44 units are proposed, 26 as single detached villas and 18 in a multi-story building. A total of 74 keys will be available. The main hotel building [Arrivals Building] will be a 5 storey structure [with only 4 storeys above grade on the south elevation] containing 18 condominiums, a 122 cover restaurant and bar as well as a reception area, gym, spa, salon and parking for guests and staff.

“Spread across the site, are 26 one storey detached villas [nine 2 bedroom and seventeen 3 bedroom], with car and cycle parking adjacent to each villa. Along the eastern part of coastal area of the site is a beach club with a112 cover restaurant and bar with outdoor dining terrace, lounge areas, and a freshwater swimming pool and guest parking…”

“The proposed development is projected to create a significant positive impact on Bermuda’s economy through approximately $90 million foreign investment in, and diversification of the Island’s tourism product and by creating up to 60 permanent jobs as well as 60 temporary construction jobs in a severely depressed market,thereby providing much-needed economic stimulation.”

The 165-page draft Environmental Impact Statement for Ariel Sands follows below [PDF]:

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