Star Resort Group Inc. announced plans for The Bahamas’ first eco-engineered luxury waterfront destination, Port St. George where will feature a hotel, marina, golf course, and extensive amenities.
Located on the pristine Long Island, known for its contrasting coastline of limestone cliffs and tranquil beaches, Port St. George is taking a major step toward operating entirely off-grid through extensive use of solar tiles and storage batteries. The mixed-use development will be designed for those seeking an experience characterized by an authentic Bahamian environment, luxurious, modern amenities and an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Port St. George will exemplify the next evolution of luxury destinations, as eco-engineering and future-proofing are being incorporated into every aspect of the project. Studio Hillier developed the site plan for Port St. George and is bringing forth the project’s commercial and residential architecture. Studio Hillier and Star Resort Group Inc. are collaborating with a shared passion for design that will be environmentally sustainable. An organic hydroponics farm will provide fresh fruits and vegetables, reducing the need for imported products. Food waste will be distributed directly to a composting center, which will reduce waste and create a product for soil enrichment. Rainwater will be collected in cisterns and a solar-powered, reverse-osmosis desalinization plant will convert seawater into fresh, drinkable water for the development.
“Port St. George will serve as a vibrant oasis from which to explore the untouched wonders of Long Island,” said Duane Gerenser, president of Star Resort Group Inc. “The sustainable development will create an environment that is inclusive of the Bahamian people and local culture, an uncommon effort among many secluded luxury resorts. The eco-engineered project will bring employment opportunities, provide athletic facilities and instruction to local schools, and offer a platform for artists, craftspeople, and entrepreneurs to thrive.”
Port St. George will span the two-and-a-quarter-mile width of Long Island, with 4,200 feet of untouched shoreline on the ‘Caribbean side’s’ Exuma Sound and 2,000 feet of Atlantic Ocean frontage, constituting a total of 882 acres. The development will include various real estate offerings, comprising 515 luxury residences; a five-star hotel and spa; a 640-berth marina; a yacht club; an attractive harbor-front commercial area; an ocean beach club; a lighthouse; several first-class sports facilities and an array of culinary options.
Real estate offerings at Port St. George will consist of 500 condominiums and townhouses and 15 luxury villas, which will be positioned along the Exuma Sound, the 100-acre harbor or the Atlantic Ocean. In line with Port St. George’s commitment to sustainability, each residence will come equipped with a roadworthy, modified electric golf cart.
The 640-berth marina, sheltered by the protected harbor, will be the largest in The Bahamas. The one-mile arc of the waterfront will be home to both residential and commercial buildings, serving as a bustling village center for residents, resort guests, and local Bahamians. The area will feature a yacht club, a market, a culinary school and a variety of food and beverage venues, including a lighthouse with a bar and cafe at the harbor inlet.
An intimate and refined five-star hotel will serve as the cornerstone of the development. Positioned on a peninsula overlooking the famed crystal blue waters of Exuma Sound, the hotel will offer a luxury spa, an abundance of dining options, private villas, branded residences and more.
First-class sporting facilities will be an important feature of Port St. George, and will include:
- An 18-hole golf course
- Six first-class tennis courts
- Water sports including fishing, snorkeling, ocean rowing, paddle boarding, kayaking and excursions on solar-powered watercraft.
- A swimming complex with an Olympic size pool and wading pools
- Athletic fields including a cricket pitch, a soccer field, and a ball field with a running track will also serve the local community
Port St. George will be accessible by both commercial and private aircraft via Stella Maris International Airport, which has a port of entry status and is five minutes from the development.
In a comprehensive market analysis by Ragatz Associates, renowned industry specialist, Richard Ragatz found that due to a strong resort-residential real estate market throughout The Bahamas, limited competition and apparent untapped markets in specific price levels, this is the prime time for the development of Port St. George. The report highlights the mix of hotel, marina, golf course, and extensive amenities as being an especially attractive and proven concept.
Star Resort Group Inc. will be working to deliver and market the development of Port St. George on behalf of the owners, P.S.G. Limited. Clairfield International has arranged funding for the $500 million project, for which construction will span five years.
