The St Regis in St George’s has set the opening date for the first phase of their $120 million development for April 2, 2021.
According to Zane DeSilva, the Minister for Tourism and Transport: “This includes both the 122-room resort hotel as well as the reopening of the affiliated Robert Trent Jones designed golf course.”
Speaking in the House of Assembly on Friday, he also commended and thanked Hotelco, the developers, particularly Miguel and Laura Purroy, “for their commitment to Bermuda”.
In an overview of “investment in Bermuda’s hotel product”, he told MPs that the new hotel “will join other new hotel developments including “the Azura at the site of the old Surfside, which is opening now”.
The Bermudiana Beach Resort, “a Hilton Tapestry flagged hotel”, will open the first phase of their development next spring and the new owners of the Fairmont Southampton are “committed to a significant investment in the long-term success of the resort”.
“This acquisition marks Gencom’s second investment in Bermuda. In 2017, another Gencom-led affiliate acquired the 200-acre Tucker’s Point development that includes the Rosewood Bermuda,” said Mr DeSilva.
“The new ownership of the Fairmont Southampton is committed to a significant investment in the long-term success of the resort and has committed returning Bermuda’s largest hotel to its desired status.
“Gencom has committed to a major and extensive renovation of the hotel and currently have a team of dedicated professionals reviewing all aspects of the property with the anticipation of revealing their detailed designs for the future of the resort in 2020.
“The major renovation of this large property will undoubtedly be costly and involve a host of people from a multitude of trades. There is little doubt that this will result in hundreds of jobs for Bermudians engaged in the construction and allied sectors.
“Additionally, it is expected that following the completion of the renovations to this iconic property, there will be additional tourism jobs for Bermudians to fill in the upgraded hotel,” he added.
He noted that this major renovation project “will undoubtedly be costly and involve a host of people from a multitude of trades”.
“There is little doubt that this will result in hundreds of jobs for Bermudians engaged in the construction and allied sectors,”said the Minister.
“Additionally, it is expected that following the completion of the renovations to this iconic property, there will be additional tourism jobs for Bermudians to fill in the upgraded hotel.
“I cannot overstate the importance of a large project like this to the ongoing employment and welfare of Bermudians employed in the construction sector who, without large projects such as this, might otherwise be facing some challenging times.
“It is incumbent on us as the Government to do everything possible to ensure continuity of work for our people and as other construction projects near completion, the Fairmont Southampton renovation project will provide a seamless transition for many of our skilled and capable workforce.”
He also noted that “bringing a complex ‘deal’ like this to fruition” was “a very complex and demanding deal which required hundreds of hours of due diligence and many hours of burning the midnight oil”.
“In particular I would like to mention the commitment and hard work of the Minister of Finance, Curtis Dickinson, and the Minister of National Security, Wayne Caines, who were instrumental in ensuring that this deal happened.
“I must also recognize the leadership of our Premier, who ensured that all organs of the Government worked with the new purchasers to enable us to make this important announcement.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my personal thanks to the public officers who assisted in bringing this deal to fruition,” he added.
“Too often, the hard work and achievements of people in Government are overlooked or given little credence. On this occasion, this is certainly not the case!
“The Fairmont Southampton deal provides yet another indication of this Governments commitment to growing the tourism sector and in a broader sense, is yet another indication of the positive impact that this PLP Government is having on the future of Bermuda; a future that is both fully inclusive and rewarding for a broader cross-section of our community.
“The Government applauds this deal as testament to Gencom’s strong commitment to Bermuda and their confidence in our island and our tourism product; and I would also reiterate this statement for the investors in the St Regis Project who have also demonstrated their commitment to Bermuda and their confidence in our tourism product.
“The Government fully supports, and fully understands, what it means for these major hotel developments and renovation projects to be advanced,” said Mr DeSilva.
“We welcome the fact that it not only sends a strong message to the world about Bermuda’s positive tourism investment value, but also, is a tangible demonstration of the success of this Government in attracting investment to Bermuda which will grow our economy and create jobs for our people.
