The Tribune

Warwick International is investing "north of $18 million" as it undertakes renovations to 'transform' the former Paradise Island Harbour Resort which it acquired in 2012, a senior executive of the international hotel chain noting yesterday that between 125-200 jobs would be created when the resort reopens next year.

The resort will open as the Warwick Paradise Island Resort. Warwick has a collection of 56 hotels totaling 9,500 rooms in Europe, North America and the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, The Middle East, and the Pacific. G. Paul LeBlac, special assistant to the President at Warwick International Hotels told Tribune Business that the resort is on track for an early 2016 opening.

While unable to say just how many jobs would be created as a result of the renovations, Mr LeBlanc noted that the company had engaged Woslee Construction to undertake many of the major renovation elements of the project although it has yet to finalise contracts for ground floor improvements.

"There are multiple companies we are working with here in The Bahamas depending on the particular element of the renovation,” said Mr LeBlanc.

"The resort is going to undergo a transformation. What we are going to be doing is accentuating the harbour location. There are many resorts and accommodations in Nassau. Very few, however, have the setting we have on the harbour. Very few offer that view and we're going to accentuate that," said Mr LeBlanc.

He added the Warwick's investment in the project will be 'north of $18 million'. Mr LeBlanc explained: "It's going to be north of $18 million because every time we take a pause and we do something more we spend more money.”

Mr LeBlanc noted that the company has obtained approvals for the seabed, with its development expected to add another $1 million to the overall investment cost of the project. “That will be the redevelopment of the board walk and then an area that will be built into the harbour that will consist of a 40 seat restaurant, a mooring spot for boats, and open pit area for enjoying the harbour."

The resort itself will consist of 240 rooms as well as three suites and create 215-200 jobs when it opens said Mr LeBlanc.

Warwick International Hotels and Resorts purchased the Paradise Island Harbour Resort in 2012 for a reported $6.8 million deal from Lehman Brothers Holdings and Driftwood Hospitality Management (via Gemwood Paradise Ltd), during an auction.