FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — The Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited (GBPA) and the Grand Bahama Development Company Limited (DEVCO) are excited about the recent announcement by world renowned and award-winning hotel operator Six Senses of plans for a 36-acre project site that will be the future home of 45 waterfront and canal villas, as well as a premier restaurant, boathouse, pool bar and world class amenities, GBPA and DEVCO announced in a statement released on Thursday, November 3, 2022
“The development and investment team behind this transformational project, the Weller Development Partners and Pegasus Capital Advisors, were brought to the table by GBPA Director Rupert Hayward,” the statement noted. “The GBPA and DEVCO have been working with the group for the past three years to help bring this vison to fruition, as it represents not only a tremendous boost to the economy, but also a diversification of the island’s tourism offering.”
“This project fulfills the mandate of the GBPA and supports a core objective of the GBPA’s Revitalization and Expansion of the Economy of Freeport (REEF) report, commissioned in 2020 to expand the tourism product as well as the real estate and urban renewal sectors,” the statement added.
“We are proud to share in the joy of this announcement. A project of this magnitude will provide a significant stimulus to the real estate market and will enhance market value of surrounding properties. We hope this development will be the catalyst for a new era for the island of Grand Bahama,” said Charisse Brown, CEO and Senior Legal Counsel of DEVCO, the entity responsible for master planning of the Lucaya area, where the project will be located.
GBPA Vice President of Building and Development Services Nakira Wilchcombe spoke to the environmental consciousness of the group. “We will be working very closely with the project to ensure proper permitting, environmental stewardship, and engagement of our pool of professional licensees during the engineering, design, and construction phases,” Ms. Wilchcombe said. “We are impressed by Six Senses track record on creating a carbon friendly footprint and commitment to eco-sustainability.”
The GBPA and DEVCO statement concluded: “This multi-million-dollar investment is slated to bring hundreds of jobs in the construction phases as well as permanent jobs and world class training opportunities. We encourage you to stay tuned in the coming weeks for information and dates about community and economic engagement on opportunity events.”
An article in LUXURY TRAVEL MAGAZINE noted: “Six Senses is coming to Grand Bahama as part of a project that will boost local tourism, development, and investment. With social and environmental responsibility at its heart, the new resort and residences will create employment opportunities for Grand Bahamians, encourage sustainability and regenerative activity on the island, and engage the surrounding community while protecting the land for future generations of locals and visitors to Grand Bahama.
“Designed by architects 3XN, the resort village will comprise 45 waterfront and canal villas enjoying 2,400 feet (732 meters) of beach frontage and water on three sides. In addition to the guest accommodations, plans are afoot for a signature restaurant, beach venue, boathouse, and pool bar. Future development of the 36-acre site will see direct access to a new marina.”
Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs was quoted as saying: “We’re eager to reflect the authenticity of Bahamian lifestyle, culture, and landscape through organic pathways and architectural design to create a community blended with our signature ethos of wellness, sustainability, crafted guest experiences, and emotional hospitality.”
Six Senses Grand Bahama is slated to open in 2026.
