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‘Reimagined’ Bahama Grill to feature 102-room hotel

• Eric Gibson Jr ais project at mid-range tourist market

• Project would bring 150 full-time jobs, says owner

By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

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New Bahama Grill Rendering

ERIC Gibson Jr, developer and owner of Bahama Grill on West Bay Street, is seeking approval from the Department of Physical Planning to construct a seven-storey, 102-room hotel complete with a “reimagined” Bahama Grill on the 1.39-acre plot.

The construction of the the King’s Court Hotel will run over 18 to 24 months and will see the demolition of existing buildings to facilitate the hotel and 114 parking spaces.

Speaking to reporters at last night’s public hearing for the development, Mr Gibson said the project will provide 80 to 100 construction jobs and 150 full-time jobs.

He said that the project will catalyse development in the area and will be an energy efficient building that the community can enjoy.

“One of the significant things is its going to serve as a catalyst for development in that area. It’s going to restore it, said Mr Gibson.

“It’s going to be a place for local immediate local community that they can be proud of, they can work and it’s also going to be community-minded, it’s going to be a high energy efficient building.”

He said many existing resorts such as Baha Mar and Atlantis cater to high-end consumers, creating a void in the market for mid-tier consumers.

The King’s Court Hotel plans to capitalise on this market and accommodate visitors Mr Gibson expects will explore the restaurants and activities in the surrounding areas.

He said: “The significance of this project also, I don’t know if you notice that we have a lot of top end coming in to The Bahamas. So we have Baha Mar going up to the top end, Atlantis top end, Four Seasons top end.

“Most of our tourism product is going after that top end. It leaves a very huge void in that mid market and this is what we intend to capture and the advantage of this project is its going to spur more dollars in the community.

“So someone staying at a hotel like this will travel to the beach and travel to restaurants they would travel to shop they will they will move around they will not be confined to the resort. So that’s an advantage that property like this will do.”

Mr Gibson said the tourism industry is mainly foreign owned but this “all Bahamian” project will inspire other locals to seek ownership in the country’s largest industry.

He said: “We don’t really own our tourism industry, it’s owned by foreigners. So this is a way to show other persons and basically get them excited about owning our product and basically being in charge of our destiny.

“Right now, we rely on the foreigners to come in and invest the big dollars and they come in they bring the dollars they bring the idea they call the shots, they do whatever, they take the funds out.

“In an instance like this, you have a Bahamian developing from the ground up, including the architects, everything is Bahamian. This project will have all Bahamian lead.”

Comments

ThisIsOurs 9 months, 2 weeks ago

You need to look at your food quality. I was a regular buyer prior to COVID and the food was absolutely delicious. Hands down the best Bahamian restaurant in town. I was out west last month and decided to purchase a meal, it was horrible. The grilled corn wasnt even worth eating, shriveled and cold and no real corn kernels to speak of, the rice was clumped together and cold, the chicken was cold and I dont know what that was that was served as macaroni. The macaroni used to be so good I would opt to purchase it for Christmas dinner as opposed to baking, good as Mother used to make it with all the veggies. And the food was cold. What happened??? I actually ending up getting sick. Did the chef change? Is the good food reserved for the people your servers decide to give it to? I hope you get back to pre-COVID quality it used to be delicious food.

John 9 months, 1 week ago

When a customer itemized and complain about everything on the plate, I don’t take it as a legitimate complaint. I throw them their money back and tell them to go to hellsewherr

ThisIsOurs 9 months, 1 week ago

I didnt in imagine getting sick. Telltale stomach upset and diarrhea about 6 hours after eating suspect meal. The corn was completely shriveled. It might have been the only thing that was delicious, I don't know, turned off on sight and didnt eat it. The rice was clumped together, more correctly had clumps of mushed rice in it. Yuck. The macaroni was weird, I'd say no taste but that doesn't describe it. And the food just purchased was cold.

When I as a customer get such poor quality food noone has to throw their money at me. I een going back. You as the dumb owner have probably lost twice your sales by offering your bad food and too blind to recognize it. The people who ate the bad food and the people they know that they told about the bad experience (because noone here have to believe me, the people I know who know I like good food will)

actusreus 9 months, 1 week ago

You are right about the food quality. It has fallen and I'm sure their sales has too. And like you, I also did not go back there.

Sickened 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Isn't there a maximum 'rooms per acre' rule? I wonder if this will hold for a former MP.

John 9 months, 1 week ago

There are three or four hotels just down the street ( Nassau Street) that have been in existence for years and one has at least 300 rooms. And Margaritaville is the new standard.

Sickened 9 months, 1 week ago

Fronting?? You haven't heard about all the money Shame has? Some politicians make millions and millions while earning $60k a year.

TalRussell 9 months, 2 weeks ago

[Raise my hat] to Comrade Eric Gibson Jr, developer and owner of the ['Reimagined’] Bahama Grill to feature 102-room hotel on West Bay Street, Nassau. --- Yes?

John 9 months, 1 week ago

One day Bahamians will own half the Cable Beach Strip, And Paradise Island and a great portion of the cruise ships even the ones that don’t come to The BaHAMAS.

concernedcitizen 9 months, 1 week ago

Yes the numbers man will own a lot after making their money from the misery of the working man and woman

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