The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THE developers behind Eleuthera’s French Leave Resort & Marina yesterday said they were “cautiously optimistic” that the first three seafront cottages would be available as early as January, targeting end-2014 for the completion of the project’s first phase.

Eddie Lauth, chief executive of Shaner Capital, the financing arm of principal French Leave developer, the Shaner Corporation, told Tribune Business that interest in the development had exceeded expectations thus far.

“Right now the French Leave Harbour Village continues to proceed,” he said. “We have had some unexpected delays for power from BEC, but we’re trying to work through those issues right now.

“We have begun construction of the commercial area, which is the 1648 Bar and Grill, the pool, the wedding pavilion, the events lawn and the completion of the underground utilities. We’re making tremendous progress, and we’re cautiously optimistic that hopefully the first three cottages will be available beginning as early as January.”

Mr Lauth, the original proponent of the project near Governor’s Harbour, who has teamed up with resort developer/operator, the Shaner Corporation, added: “We’re hoping that the bar and grill will be available and operational for the commercial area by this coming May 2014.

“The first phase, when we get through the commercial area, I would expect that we would have 12-16 seafront cottages, plus the bar and grill, the pool, the fitness centre, wedding pavilion and events lawn.

“That’s what I anticipate to be in the first phase and we hope to have all of that done by the end of 2014. Right now, the first phase is excess of $7 million. I’m hoping that by this coming spring, the site will be in really good shape and people will really get a sense of what we’re trying to create.”

Mr Lauth said interest in the development had “exceeded” expectations thus far.

“We’ve had a lot of people who I think understand what we are trying to do; that we’re trying to preserve and recreate the old Bahamas,” he said.

“This project is the anthesis of the mega resorts. People get that, that you have so much history there in Governors Harbour ,and we’re trying to be respectful of that. From the architecture to the materials we’re using, it all has to be authentically Bahamian. From the cedar shingle roof to the African mahogany doors and shutters, no expense has been spared by Shaner Bahamas to really do this thing the right way and scale,” said Mr Lauth.

“We’re really excited about the fact that it really is a unique development. We’re not trying to introduce new architecture or build multi-storey buildings. Everything is very low key and very respectful of the architecture that’s already found in Governors Harbour.

“Less is more. We’re saying that these don’t have to be big houses; they’re small Bahamian cottages that people can come down and spend three or four days on the weekends from Miami. It becomes a weekend getaway for south Florida and for Nassuvians.”

The $17 million development, situated on 270 acres near Governor’s Harbour and Cupid’s Cay, will ultimately feature 37 “authentically Bahamian” hotel cottages. Eleuthera-based contractor, Brad’s United, is lead contractor for the development.