The Tribune

BY NEIL HARTNELL

TRIBUNE Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE DEVELOPER bidding to revive Eleuthera’s former Club Med property is targeting a mid-2027 construction start for the $200m-$250m project featuring a boutique hotel and 100 residences.

Myles Ahead Ltd, headed by Bahamian businessman Anthony Myers, the Bahamas Hot Mix chairman and founder, and James Lyle, founder of Lyford Cay-based investment management firm, Fulmar Advisors, said in a statement that it is aiming for a partial opening in 2029 with full completion of the redevelopment occurring in 2030.

Speaking out following last Thursday’s meeting with Governor’s Harbour and Eleuthera residents over its “five star” resort and residences proposal, Myles Ahead said its plans presently call for a 40-60 key hotel and “up to” 100 residences on a 93-acre site that will be constructed via a phased approach.

It had previously billed the August 6 meeting, held at Workers House in Governor's Harbour, as a “a listening session” where it would “share its vision for the site” of the original French Leave estate, which later became the Club Med resort, and invite residents to help shape the project’s development. The event lasted two-and-a-half hours, and was attended by 150 persons, who both voiced support for the project and raised concerns.

Myles Ahead said key questions centred on beach access, infrastructure and the pace of development. Some residents also provided recommendations about economic inclusion, community investments and programmes the project could support,.

The developer said it pledged public beach access at French Leave beach will increase from four points of access to five, with enhanced, paved pathways and new facilities for residents and visitors alike.

“[It] was exactly what we hoped for,” said Mr Myers of the meeting. “We came to listen, and to ensure that the community understood our vision for the project included increased and enhanced beach access at French Leave Beach. We also learned about the community's priorities and concerns, and that's exactly the kind of engagement we held this Town Hall to facilitate, and we're grateful for it.”

“We came to the community in the early stages of this project to hear the real questions about beach access, about infrastructure, about what this project will mean for daily life here, and we take all of it seriously,” said Dr Alyson Myers, a Bahamian marine scientist and member of the development team.

“This is the start of an ongoing conversation, not the end of one, and as we build out more of our commitments around training, entrepreneurship and community development, we will continue our engagement with Central Eleuthera.”

The former Club Med site has been abandoned for more than 26 years since Hurricane Floyd’s passage in 1999. “When Club Med was open it employed more than 300 people directly. It was the breadbasket of central Eleuthera,” said Austin Knowles, a long-time resident of Central Eleuthera who attended the Town Hall.

“When it closed in 1999, many workers migrated to the Club Med in San Salvador or were scattered across The Bahamas looking for employment. After listening tonight, I wholeheartedly support this project.

“It will give Eleutherans a chance to come home and build their lives through business ownership and employment. Young Eleutherans who are graduating or looking for employment will have the option to stay here and build their communities. This is what our community needs.”

Myles Ahead added that Thursday's town hall was the first of several community engagements as the project moves forward, with additional opportunities for public input to be announced. “This doesn't end with one meeting,” said Mr Myers. “We're looking forward to continuing to engage with this community every step of the way.”

The Central Bank last November described the Myles Ahead project as having an all-in cost or value of $180.1m, including the hotel and residential components, along with supporting infrastructure, soft costs at market value and land acquisition expenses. Based on the figures given by the developer, that investment outlay seems to have increased.

Myles Ahead had previously pledged to Tribune Business that it will preserve beach access and rights of way for Bahamians and the local community after concerns over this issue resurfaced. And it also confirmed that it is in a legal fight with the nearby French Leave Resort over allegations relating to “dune destruction” and property access, although it declined to give further details.

“For clarity, Myles Ahead has no intention of eliminating public beach access. Public access to the beach will be maintained as part of the proposed development. Our intention is to provide access in an environmentally-responsible manner, including properly designed elevated wooden walkways over sensitive dune areas. This will allow residents and visitors to reach the beach without trampling vegetation, destabilising the dunes or contributing to further erosion,” Myles Ahead said.

“On the question of legal action involving French Leave Resort, there is a matter presently before the courts relating to dune destruction and access across the property. As it remains before the courts, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further on it at this time.”