Article Snapshot
- The Dart Group recently announced that East End will soon be home to a one-of-a-kind eco-resort. The 10-acre property will feature 89 cottages at Barefoot Beach.
- According to a Dart spokesperson, “Dart is leasing a portion of its property at Barefoot Beach to [a] third party tenant, consisting in part of the NCB Group, for a planned maximum of 10 years.”
- Dart’s lease with NBC and the unknown third party states that they will be “responsible for the construction and management of the planned development.“
- Current plans detail a centrally located bar & restaurant, spa, pool and reception area.
- In a statement, Dart announced that the resort “will enable low-impact activation of the beach site without significant impact on the natural environment.”
- The property was purchased by the Dart Group from SparrowHawk for $10 million in 2015.
- SparrowHawk originally intended to build a Mandarin Oriental hotel featuring 114 rooms and 37 condominiums, but the project never came to fruition.
Exciting Plans for East End
The Dart Group recently announced that East End will soon be home to a one-of-a-kind eco-resort. According to current plans, the 10-acre property will feature 89 cottages, as well as a centrally located bar & restaurant, spa, pool and reception area at Barefoot Beach.
According to a Dart spokesperson, “Dart is leasing a portion of its property at Barefoot Beach to [a] third party tenant, consisting in part of the NCB Group, for a planned maximum of 10 years.” Although the identity of the third party tenant is currently unknown, Dart revealed that the company had approached them with the intention of leasing the site for construction of the project.
Residents in East End anxiously await the release of detailed plans and the expected completion date.
What Is an Eco-Resort?
According to Dart, “The boutique resort will enable low-impact activation of the beach site without significant impact on the natural environment. The proposed development aligns with the National Tourism Plan’s strategy to attract more visitors to the eastern districts, will benefit the cleanliness and safety of the area, and provide new employment opportunities.”
An NCB spokesperson stated that the developer and its partner would release more information about the project once the planning approval process has been completed.
It is unclear as to whether the entire development will adhere to eco-friendly practices or if the complex is simply being built in a way that takes environmental impact into consideration. Either way, tourism in East End will significantly increase upon completion of the development.
The End of Mandarin Oriental
In 2015 the Dart Group purchased the 20-acre property (half of which is being leased to NBC and the unknown third party for the eco-resort) from SparrowHawk for $10 million. In 2005, SparrowHawk had announced plans to build a Mandarin Oriental hotel featuring 114 rooms, 37 condominiums, and a luxury spa but the project never came to fruition – in part due to the global financial crisis.