On 9th June 2016 representatives of the Desarrollos Hotelco Group, Mr. Roberto Stipa and Mr. Miguel Purroy, developers of the new St Regis Hotel in St George’s, hosted an open exhibition public meeting at Penno’s Wharf to showcase design works completed to date.
The development team was introduced by The Minister of Tourism, Transport and Municipalities, Senator the Hon. Michael Fahy, JP and Junior Minister of Tourism and St Georges the Hon. Kenny Bascome, JP, MP, accompanied by the Bermuda Tourism Authority Chairman, the Hon. David Dodwell, JP. The entire team met “one on one” with members of the public to hear their comments and collect their thoughts. Questions that were asked will form part of the EIS (Environmental Impact study) and the public was also given an opportunity to give comments to the team via a suggestion box.
Senator Fahy said "The proposed 122 room St. Regis Hotel will be the first significant hotel development in St Georges for decades and will present many opportunities for local residents and businesses to participate in an invigorated tourism industry in the East End of the Island. We are incredibly excited to be working with such a strong team genuinely interested in seeing this important project come to fruition."
MP Bascome echoed Senator Fahy and added "The development will be the most important thing to happen in St George's in many years. I am very happy to see such progress knowing how this will help produce jobs and success for the old town."
Miguel Purroy expressed his excitement and said "Spurred initially by construction development, long term opportunities presented by guests visiting the hotel shall provide a revitalized retail sector in the old town and surrounding heritage monuments, beaches and tourism experiences. Further, I am pleased to tell you that I will be moving with my family to Bermuda shortly and also opening a Desarrollos Hotelco office in St George’s – to enhance the project’s development and to show our commitment to St George’s and Bermuda."
Roberto Stipa added "The St Regis Hotel is a transformational development experience that looks to provide a fresh and new resort experience in the context of a world heritage site, while respecting local architecture. Situated near Fort St Catherine and back from the west side of the Gates Bay Beach road, the development offers modern ocean side amenities as well as full access to the public beach. We are obviously aware of local concerns about beach access and want to stress that the beach will be open to the public. I would also like to stress that we will be building the hotel as our first priority, as we feel strongly about opening the hotel before any residential units. Nevertheless, based on the success of the sales of residences, up to seven condominium structures are planned over the long term. Seven estate lots will also be offered in the future for development.”
The hotel will also offer space for a casino when legislation and licenses are available.
Colin Campbell of the local architectural company OBMI advised that the Desarrollos development team also look forward to reopening the classic Robert Trent Jones designed signature golf course. Work will begin shortly on the course and it should be ready in time for the completion of the hotel in 2019.
Working with the neighbors, the development team look forward to providing a new and improved public accesses to Gates Beach with a passenger layby and structured public parking for visiting cars and mopeds. Revitalizing the abandoned Fort Albert to provide a world class Spa, the developers hope to capitalize on the unique beauty of the fort and its views to provide a unique personal spa experience. There is no plan at this time to develop Fort Victoria.
Miguel Purroy advised that the development team is looking forward to completing the design work necessary to submit completed documents and plans to the Department of Planning later in the summer with a desire to start construction before the end of 2016. The hotel is programed to be completed in 2019.