Six Senses is building a new resort and residence development in Grand Bahama.
Designed by architects 3XN, the resort village will comprise 45 waterfront and canal villas with 2,400 feet of beach frontage and water on three sides. In addition to the guest accommodations, plans are underway for restaurant, beach venue, boathouse and pool bar. Future development of the 36-acre site will add direct access to a new marina.
“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 CEO Neil Jacobs said in a statement.
Units will be modular and prefabricated to minimize on-site impacts and adhere to the sustainability targets.
“This is a great opportunity to investigate new construction methods and define a specific and new approach to sustainability in The Bahamas—both for the buildings and to respect the exceptional local nature,” 3XN Founder Kim Herforth Nielson said.
The resort village will have an experience center along with artist studios, meeting spaces, a fitness center and a spa. In addition to the earth lab, the facility will have a marine research and dive center focused on coastal resiliency, native plantings and land restoration. Additional land and sea areas will be designated as preserves to protect the local biosphere.
Transformative model for The Bahamas and Caribbean projects
At Six Senses Grand Bahama, a team of experts in coastal resilience, marine ecology and sustainable design will collaborate with Bahamian consultants on all aspects of the development.
The development and investment team, led by Weller Development Partners and Pegasus Capital Advisors, plans to recruit from the communities directly surrounding the project and partner with Blue Action Lab to collaborate with the local community on job training and skills enhancement.
“We are dedicated to ensuring that our developments have a positive social impact on surrounding communities," said Marc Weller, founding partner and president of Weller Development Partners. "Our team uses sustainable practices that reduce our carbon footprint, establish resilient and healthy communities, and preserve our natural environment. We want to build trust and work with the people of Grand Bahama to achieve their priorities and realize the potential of this amazing island.”
The development will receive an investment from the Global Fund for Coral Reefs to provide capital and technical assistance leading to increased resilience of reefs and the communities that depend on them. Creating a resort with a hurricane-insulating coastline, while minimizing environmental impacts through self-sufficient energy and waste ambitions, will also act as an exemplar for future sustainable tourism models on Grand Bahama and across the Caribbean.
Designed by architect Olson Kundig, the development will have approximately 20 branded residences for owners on one of the last of the islands to develop in the mid-20th century.
Six Senses Grand Bahama is slated to open in 2026.