Baha Mar Development Company announced that a local architectural firm, MonArch Architects Ltd, has been awarded the design contract for ‘West Bay Village,’ a mixed-use commercial centre, as part of its mega resort at Cable Beach.
The company said the Bahamian design firm, managed by principal D. Monty Knowles, was selected from a field of six invited agencies to act as the lead architectural firm for West Bay Village.
It said Mr Knowles, a graduate of the University of Miami’s School of Architecture, brings to the project a strong classical architecture background augmented by Bahamian influences. MonArch is best known for its work on Lyford Financial Centre in western New Providence and the Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship facility (joint venture) at Coco Cay, Berry Islands.
West Bay Village will be the first major design element of Baha Mar to get underway, and paves the way for the rerouting of West Bay Street farther south, beginning January 1, 2006. The nearly 200,000 sq-ft complex is slated to be opened in early 2007 when Phase I construction on the billion-dollar Cable Beach redevelopment begins.
The complex will reportedly house the corporate and Government offices and retail structures currently situated opposite the resort strip.
MonArch will partner with Baha Mar design architect Mike Hong of MHA Studio to develop a concept plan for establishing the overall architectural character of the project featuring vibrant buildings complemented by varied streetscapes and sidewalks that resonate the colourful style, rich architectural heritage and lush tropical landscape of The Bahamas and the Caribbean.
“MonArch has shown that they share our vision for the look and feel of Baha Mar,” said Executive Vice President of Design and Development John Kristich.
“They have assembled a team with a sound combination of local experience, world-class expertise and creative talent to drive the design of West Bay Village οΎ– a key component of our commitment to creating an authentic product in The Bahamas.”
Kristich added that the project was currently in the architectural concept design phase and that Baha Mar and relevant public agencies were reviewing schematic plans and renderings.
“Preliminary meetings have taken place to ensure that each phase of our development is consistent with what was originally agreed on, and meets regulatory standards,” he said.
Kristich further noted that Baha Mar was also working in concert with government on a strategy for executing the diversion of West Bay Street and the relocation of police and fire services to meet the needs of the resort and the community.
The $1.2 billion Baha Mar development is expected to be one of the world’s largest resort projects and the largest single resort ever undertaken in the Caribbean. Apart from the company’s initial investment, it committed itself to providing up to $400 million in equity to the project.
On April 6, Prime Minister Perry Christie, along with Baha Mar Development Ltd Chairman Sarkis Izmirlian, signed the Heads of Agreement for the redevelopment of the Cable Beach strip to include its redevelopment into a Las Vegas-style mega resort.
The Heads of Agreement signing came one week after Phillip Ruffin, the then owner of the Wyndham Nassau Resort and Crystal Palace Casino, and Nassau Beach Hotel, signed the purchase agreement with Baha Mar.
By: MINDELL SMALL, The Nassau Guardian
