Videos: Update On Plans For Grand Atlantic
[Updated] Minister of Public Works Lt/Col David Burch, joined by Minister of Tourism & Economic Development Jamahl Simmons and Robert MacLellan, held a press briefing this afternoon [March 28] to provide an update on the plans for the Grand Atlantic property in Warwick.
It was announced the property will become a “new mid market boutique resort to to be re-named the Bermudiana Beach Resort.”
The property was originally planned as a housing development and went on the market in 2012; in 2013 the Government decided to solicit requests for information from investors and potential buyers for the 78-unit property, and in 2014 the Government initially announced the involvement of MacLellan & Associates to turn the property into the Bermudiana Beach Resort.
The Minister said the agreement has been the “subject of extensive negotiations over the past seven months to produce a modified business plan that provides greater financial benefit to the Bermuda Housing Corporation.”
Work on site is anticipated to commence in May of this year, the Minister said, and will involve 71 condos being refurbished, while the remaining seven condos will be made into areas for operations and amenities such as a reception area, meeting room, restaurant, spa, as well as ‘trams’ to provide access the beach.
The “anticipated opening date” is April 2020, and once open, the “resort will employ approximately 100 persons,” the Minister said.
The press conference has just concluded and we will have additional information later on, and in the meantime the 27-minute live video replay is below.
Update: Minister Burch said, “The project involves the conversion of the existing 78 two and three bedroom condominiums into a full-service condo hotel with resort leisure amenities at a cost in the region of $23 million.
“Design work on the project is complete, planning permissions have been obtained, building permits are to be applied for with work on site anticipated to commence in May of this year.
Video of the planned design:
“The majority of the condominiums – 71 in number – are being refurbished with new kitchens and bathrooms, additional windows and new floor coverings. The remaining 7 condominiums are being converted into a reception area, bar, restaurant, meeting room, commercial kitchen, spa and operations support areas.
“Elevators are to be installed in 8 of the 9 condominium blocks on the property. Two swimming pools will be constructed within the resort grounds and two Hill Hiker trams are to be installed to provide access to the beach below.”
Update 5.13pm: Renderings of the planned development are below
Update 5.42pm: Minister of Public Works Lt/Col David Burch said, “I am pleased to welcome my colleague the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, the Honourable Jamahl Simmons, representatives of the Bermuda Housing Corporation, the Bermuda Tourism Authority and Bermudiana Beach Resorts who join me today to announce the conversion of the Grand Atlantic site on the island’s South Shore into a new mid-market boutique resort to be renamed The Bermudiana Beach Resort.
“The proposed condominium hotel development is seen to provide the best value for money and was most closely aligned with the Government’s goals for increasing tourism accommodations. The Bermudiana Beach Resort team, is led by resort specialist Robert MacLellan of MacLellan & Associates, successful bidders of the RFP process.
“This process was obviously started under the former administration but has been the subject of extensive negotiations over the past 7 months to produce a modified business plan that provides greater financial benefit for the Bermuda Housing Corporation in a CoDeveloper arrangement and allows for more cost-efficient project financing.
“The project involves the conversion of the existing 78 two and three bedroom condominiums into a full-service condo hotel with resort leisure amenities at a cost in the region of $23 million. Design work on the project is complete, planning permissions have been obtained, building permits are to be applied for with work on site anticipated to commence in May of this year.
“The property is currently owned by the Bermuda Housing Corporation and will be redeveloped by a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation with expert input from the specialist resort co-developer team, who will provide the design, project management, operations and marketing experience and resources. The co-developer team consists of OBMI Bermuda, which has provided the architectural and interior design input to date, and Bermuda Realty Company Limited which provides the real estate marketing expertise and international sales network. Hotel operations input and overall commercial project management is provided by the Caribbean’s largest resort development consultants, MacLellan & Associates, who have also sourced debt financing for the project.
“The majority of the condominiums – 71 in number – are being refurbished with new kitchens and bathrooms, additional windows and new floor coverings. The remaining 7 condominiums are being converted into a reception area, bar, restaurant, meeting room, commercial kitchen, spa and operations support areas. Elevators are to be installed in 8 of the 9 condominium blocks on the property. Two swimming pools will be constructed within the resort grounds and two Hill Hiker trams are to be installed to provide access to the beach below.
“The condominiums will be marketed as deeded vacation homes on an outright sale basis to individual owners. However, owner usage by condominium buyers is restricted to a maximum 90 nights per year, with the balance of nights available for use as hotel inventory under a mandatory rental programme contract, which shares income between individual owners and the resort operating company. Almost 50% of the condominiums will be modified to include “lock-off” en-suite bedrooms and thus increase the number of suites and rooms available for hotel accommodations to 105. Negotiations are currently being finalized to operate the resort under an international hotel branded franchise which will provide world-wide marketing and reservations systems.
“It is anticipated that the conversion works will be undertaken during 2018 and 2019, with an anticipated opening date for the resort of April 2020. The conversion works is likely to provide 70 construction jobs and, once open, the resort will employ approximately 100 persons.
“Discussions have occurred over several months and I am delighted that we have come to this agreement that will provide a new 3 star Boutique hotel and the proceeds to BHC will allow the Corporation to clear the debt on this site and have funds and resources to better focus on its core mandate of providing housing for the people of Bermuda.
“I would like to commend both the teams at the Housing Corporation ably led by General Manager – Major Barrett Dill and Finance Manager Mark Melo and the Bermuda representatives of Bermudiana Beach Resorts Colin Campbell of OBMI and Brian Madeiros of Bermuda Reality and of course Robert MacLellan who worked tirelessly to bring this deal to fruition..
“We are confident that the development of this exciting new tourism property will greatly enhance our tourism offerings and we are delighted to partner with Bermudians Beach Resorts to make it happen.”
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lol here we go again with the Grand Disaster. Bermudiana Beach resort with no direct beach access.
South lands beach right next door.
LOL…it’ll be on the beach before you know it!
A Hahahahahahahahahahahah!
Grand Atlantis .
I think the powers that be should just knock this horrible building down !!! this is another disaster that former premier Brown allowed to be constructed.
Cant wait, hold on everyone!
Maybe ATV tours can be arranged around the property.
why do we need atv tours???
Jamahl at the helm again.Should be interesting.
Great news. If this will produce jobs for Bermudians , then we all should be happy . The minister is working hard on our behalf . Thank-you.
Where did they say jobs for Bermudians? I saw the part about 100 jobs but they never said that was for just Bermudians.
Here we go again with the negative complainers. As long as you had your AC people up there staying, there wasn’t any complaints. Have you seen the plans? How do you know whether or not there will not be any beach excess! Since you all know everything, why don’t you get up of your complaining behinds and assist with getting things done for the good of Bermuda. No, most of you all who write on the blogs complaining are probably status Bermudians or foreigners. I don’t need to hold on!!!! Positive action in the right direction.
Ahh a birther…typical
And lest you be reminded that this initiative started under the OBA.
A “status Bermudian” is just as Bermudian as you are.
More Bermudian than you will ever be!
Ms. Symonds You are a status Bermudian even though you might have been born here.
What makes you any better? You’re complaining about people complaining! I won’t add to the drama by complaining about your atrocious spelling.
This will be a colossal financial disaster and the plp will throw millions at an already terrible project. They will fail miserably and if things go as they are heading we will be broke in 3 years and you will once again vote with a glimmer of hope that the OBA/OBB/OBC or whoever will put us back on track
The SSM will hit our Tourism product
The almighty Jamal will sink the Casino product
Stay tuned the list will grow
I didn’t vote them
will be interesting how this is marketed, don’t see how it can be considered a resort unless they dont care about ripping off tourists…
I thought when Gilbert Lopes was behind it, there was a plan for a quality but lower cost hotel, re staybridge suites or similar. that would be a good idea.
@LaVerne Symonds
“No, most of you all who write on the blogs complaining are probably status Bermudians or foreigners.”
As soon as you put the above comment in your response your relegated yourself to the same status as the people you are complaining about. Poor you.
I will relegate myself to individual like you. It is no Poor me! You are the one! I am not going to waste my precious time with you any further. The truth is the truth
So you resort to racist name-calling. How rude, and from a born Bermudian as well. That won’t attract many tourists.
Half the commentors on here don’t live here. No secret there!
So , we’re supposed to be so wonderful that you’re probably one of those people who really think that foreigners want to come here in droves and stay forever yet you’re saying that these foreigners are all on this comment board and want to slam us .. haha
Where can I get a computer that shows people’s nationalities and passports ?
Give the UBP/oba a break they only won 12 seats worst party in history LOLOLOLOLOL. A new party will form they have no choice but to divide. The people spoke loud and clear last election. They lost all the surrogates.
@ Laverne Symonds what are you gonna do when all the expats leave huh.You will be up the creek with no paddle
“Opening April 2020″.
Why exactly would it take two years? Oh yeah. Because it isn’t happening in the first place.
It’s another one of these ‘the Grand Hyatt will be breaking ground in November 2011′ type of promises.
So who is going to develop it? It says MaClellan was in 2014. Is it still them?
So who is going to develop it? It says MaClellan was in 2014. Is it still them? Artistic licence in that photo of the beach. Apparently the ocean is going to be moved back to make the beach bigger!
the plp don’t have any money and Investors wont!
So all those peopls that were out there complaining that this project is built on a cliff that is undermining is now saying what a beautiful project
“So all those peopls that were out there complaining that this project is built on a cliff that is undermining is now saying what a beautiful project”
No, they’re not.
Did you just make this up on the spot? Why lie…it only makes you look like a fool.
It shoulda been made into a seniors home
Why is this government trying to boost tourism. Build a hotel that no one wants to visit.
Crime is up, thats a fact. Murders/homicides are up, also fact.
We are not an “open to all for business” island. The SSM fiasco proved that. So tell me, who is this aimed at. If LaVerne above got her way, well lets no go there. I see a cleat cut case of double standards.
SNAFU.
PRACTICAL PLANS. I LOOK FORWARD TO ITS COMPLETION & BEING OCCUPIED BY ALL KINDS OF TOURIST. THANK YOU GOVT. FOR PRESSING ON TO THIS DAY FOR BERMUDA.
I can only say, how many units were sold or even close to”in contract” all this time? There are times one has to evaluate and minimize the losses. I had friends who had time share at the St Georges Club and were basically coerced to give it up. They now have time share in the Bahamas and Florida, and very happy about it. So I am sure they would not be interested in any stupid offer on a cliff on the South Shore. Perhaps a better solution is to switch the present use of Harmony Hall to the “Resort on a cliff”; even expand the usuage to provide residence for other recipients. Then put any spare money into restoring the Harmony Hall back to it’s former (successful) glory.
Perhaps put the units, as condos for auction, and see what can be regained. They may work,
Roger I agree. 100%. Let make our Island a buzzing spot again. Go back 5 or so years. Tourism was great. We where never quiet. Kudos to BTA for targeting NYC. The influx of NYkrs in past month or so. Wow. Very well done. I did look at the cruise ship schedule this year and it was exciting. Record numbers of ships, and passangers, some ships at max capacity. Great to view. However, I’d encourage anyone reading this to compare NOW to what was published in Jan by Gvmnt, to what the latest stats by cruise liners are. Its all free to view online. Some ships are cancelling or have cancelled for “weather”.(They ships survive at sea but not at dock?) Funny that! Others simply because of a piece of legislation. I know some people are of an opinion OBA did good or did bad. I also think we should focus on current Gvmnt. Perhaps revoking SSM or messing with gambling act is chasing people away. We need to give new Gvmnt a chance. But they must be held accountable just as OBA where. The answer I don’t have but all our voices should count, right?
what on earth are those elevator things down to the beachfront?
That’s what the $23m is going to be spent on. Bringing the total cost of this PLP disaster to about $80m.
Its amazing how the number of Bermudians employed will be 100. Thats the same number that we was told that this government will employ 100 Bermudians. Do U all see the plan now???? Plus what doesn’t sit well with me is who will own this Hotel? Because if the answer is Government then looks like we are paying again. I hope we can all stay there for free being we are paying for it!!!!!!
Just a question, what project if any under the PLP have come in on time and on or under budget!
This could prove to be a viable project. Who owns it now or ends up owning it long term is another story.
Suggested name change for the new development “The Atlantic Dump”,