We are still in the midst of finding an organization or company to rebuild Caneel Bay Resort. Site visits were held back in November for people and/or businesses who were interested in taking on the project. According to the National Park Service, 22 groups attended those visits.
Those groups were given the opportunity to ask questions about the redevelopment. The responses varied from questions regarding use of the dock and public access to asbestos cleanup and water rights. There were three rounds of questions and answers. That information provides a glimpse into how the potential developers envision Caneel Bay 2.0.
Those who planned to move forward in the bidding process had to file a letter of intent by February 7th. Unfortunately those responses are not public information, according to NPS. The full responses are due February 28th.
The following companies attended the November 2024 site visits. I tried to include information about each company. Some had common names; therefore I could not narrow down the exact company. The National Park Service only provided the names in bold below.
- Amelia Global – I could not find information on this. There is a company that operates out of St. Thomas called Amalie Global, so perhaps this was a typo provided to me.
- Becker Capital and Finance – Becker Capital and Finance is a municipal financial advisory firm registered with the MSRB and SEC. It provides advice on the structuring and issuance of both tax exempt and taxable securities in the area of project finance. I believe this company is based in New York City.
- Bloomberg Philanthropies – Bloomberg Philanthropies works to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people by focusing on five key areas: the arts, education, the environment, government innovation, and public health. Bloomberg Philanthropies works to improve the lives of millions of people in more than 700 cities and 150 countries. In 2024, Bloomberg Philanthropies invested $3.7 billion around the world. Over his lifetime, Michael Bloomberg has so far given $21.1 billion to philanthropy.
- Blurworkshop – BLUR Workshop is a design focused firm comprised of energetic and visionary professionals with a core leadership that has worked together continuously for up to 30 years. Our organization offers full professional design services for both Interior Design and Architecture. This is an Atlanta-based company.
- Bullock Capital Partners – This is an Atlanta-based company.
- Capital Park SA – The only company I could find is a Poland-based company that is engaged in real estate.
- Caribbean Consultants – There are multiple matches for this, including Massachusetts-based and Barbados-based companies.
- Carlisle Group – There are numerous companies with this name.
- Consortium of Satoria Group SA – I could not find information on this.
- Coral Tree Hospitality – CoralTree provides 50 years of proven experience as owners, developers and managers of world-class independent luxury and lifestyle hotels and resorts. This is a Colorado-based company.
- EDSA – This is a design firm that specializes in planning, landscape architecture and urban planning.
- ExplorUS – ExplorUS is a family-owned company with almost 30 years of experience operating National, State, and local park concessions. Over the years it has worked to enhance, elevate, and complement the visitor’s experience at each park, landmark, and property it operates.
- Gensler – Gensler is a global architecture, design, and planning firm with 57 offices and 6000+ professionals across the Americas, Europe, Greater China, and APME. This is a San Francisco-based company.
- Harith Productions – Harith Productions is a global marketing communications, organizational effectiveness, education, training, event/meeting/destination management and production company. Its owner, Harith Wickrema, is the president of St. John’s Island Green Living organization.
- Hexagon Partners – There are several companies with this name.
- J. Benton Construction, LLC – J. Benton Construction has worked on many projects in the hospitality, commercial, industrial fields and more. This Caribbean-based company built the new National Park buildings at the entrance of the National Park in Cruz Bay. They have also worked on sections of the Westin Resort.
- Little Gem Resorts – Little Gem Resorts owns the Lovango Resort + Beach Club, as well as resorts on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
- Majestic Hospitality Group – Majestic Hospitality are world-class hospitality consultants, helping hotels & resorts with development, strategy, operations and investment. This is a Los Angelos-based company.
- Premier – There are several companies with this name.
- Pure Hospitality, LLC – Pure Hospitality is a hospitality management and data analytics company. This is a Washington-based company.
- Studio Armin, LLC -Studio Armin is a multidisciplinary firm that is highly proficient in design thinking. rather than being defined by a specific practice, the brand represents a way of life. Studio Armin has worked on Lovango Resort + Beach Club and Gallows Point Resort.
- The Welles Group – There are numerous businesses with this name.
Here are links to the three batches of questions:
As always, I will keep you posted on all of this.