Beach Bay Land Limited (BBLL) has announced design firm TEN Arquitectos as the winner of its design competition for work on the US$250 million mixed-use luxury resort the company is building at St James Point, Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands. The three internationally renowned architect firms in contention for the project were Garcia Stromberg, SB Architects and TEN Arquitectos.
John Layton, Principal and Managing Director of BBLL, said he was pleased to announce the partnership with TEN Arquitectos, a firm famous for creating iconic and transformative architecture across the globe.
Speaking at Art Basel Miami Beach, Mr Layton said “It is a great pleasure to announce this collaboration with TEN Arquitectos, a firm who so clearly understood our vision for creating a Caribbean icon that is sensitive to the existing tropical environment, integrates the architecture as art and in harmony with nature, while offering the highest standard of luxury accommodation.”
“Their outstanding record of success on past projects and the bold ideas put forth by this experienced TEN Arquitectos team – Enrique Norten, Andrea Steele, and Vicky Daroca – is what drove our selection,” he said. “Mr Norten is a respected and talented professional and his team brings incredible energy and immense knowledge and expertise. We look forward to working with TEN to deliver this exciting and unique project.”
Slated to open in Fall 2018, St James Point is set on a lush 16-acre property fronted by a 1,000 foot secluded and private natural beach, and will be designed to both contrast and compliment the surrounding tropical environment. The property will feature a 200 room hotel with more than 90 residential units and is to be managed by a constellation of world renowned brands offering multiple signature restaurants, innovative retail and spa experiences as well as new frontiers for water sports activities. St James Point will provide a unique experience with service levels unprecedented within the region.
Over the past thirty years, TEN Arquitectos has worked to design and build a rich portfolio of cultural, academic and hospitality projects. Whether the result of international design competitions, public-private partnerships, or public commissions—all are transformative and include the Habita Hotel in Mexico City, the Americano Hotel and Mercedes House in New York, and most recently, CENTRO University in Mexico City.
Mr Norten said he looked forward to bringing to life a world-class resort of the highest calibre 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.”
With over 50 built works, TEN Arquitectos works internationally with offices in New York City and Mexico City and a staff of over 80 architects.
TEN Arquitectos will be working with local Cayman architect of record Andrew Gibb, Chartered Architect. Michael Arnone of Nest Seekers International will be leading US sales and marketing along with Nest Seekers Founder and CEO Eddie Shapiro. With 15 storefront and office locations and over 500 staff, Nest Seekers is a full service brokerage sales and marketing firm leading the industry in New York City, the Hamptons, Miami and Beverly Hills.
The Honorable Kurt Tibbetts, Minister for Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure in the Cayman Islands said he was pleased to see the continued momentum of the St James Point project with this latest announcement.
“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.”
The Honorable Moses Kirkconnell, Deputy Premier and Minister for District Administration, Tourism and Transport in the Cayman Islands, 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.
The announcement of TEN Arquitectos as design architects for the St James Point, Grand Cayman project was made at a private event held in conjunction with Art Basel Miami Beach, and was sponsored by the Wall Street Journal, Nest Seekers International and Mansion Global.