The Rockwell Island Development Group (RIDGE) plans to build a luxury hotel and residences in the Bahamas.
The Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences will be located on Rockwell Island, a secluded peninsula in the Bahamas. The development will be exclusive to owners and guests.
A global team
A global team will oversee the project, to be called Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences. Banyan Tree will manage the resort and oversee the private residence rental program.
The design effort will be led by Miami-based Oppenheim Architecture, while the landscape architecture will be handled by Raymond Jungles. OFFICIAL, a US-based real estate brand, will handle marketing in the US.
Sales and construction have already begun, according to RIDGE, and the first five complete residences will be delivered in early 2025.
There will be 54 waterfront residences, a 50-key five-star hotel, and a Bonito Beach Club on the 750-acre property. As part of the second phase, there will be a deepwater superyacht marina, a private 18-hole golf course, and a members-only clubhouse.
A Maldives-style resort venture, the 50 keys will encompass 24 beachfront villas and 26 overwater bungalows.
A short trip from the United States
The island can be reached by seaplane, private charter jet, helicopter, or boat 48 nautical miles east of Miami. From Miami, door-to-door transportation takes 30 minutes. New York and Texas, as well as other major US markets, are reachable within 3 hours.
“Since the onset of this project, my focus has always been to assemble a world-class team dedicated to elevating the island to new heights,” says owner and developer of RIDGE Rockwell Island Development Group, Rafael Reyes.
“Being the closest Bahamian island to the US, Bimini is a hidden gem that world-class travelers will soon get to experience. Time slows down here, and life unfolds effortlessly.”
Prices start at $3.5 million for private residences at Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences. There will be a private dock and beach access at each home. In addition, these residences can be placed in a rental program managed by Banyan Tree.
A weekend getaway
“The Bahamas has always held a special allure for residents of South Florida,” said Oren Alexander, co-founder of The Alexander Team and OFFICIAL.
“Our clients have been hungry for a weekend hideaway that blends refined living, a sense of adventure, and door-to-door ease, and Bimini perfectly encapsulates all. Despite the 20-minute commute from South Florida, Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences feels worlds away with its pristine beaches and turquoise waters.”
Banyan Tree is an operator of luxury resorts, residences and spas in destinations such as Thailand, Bali, Vietnam, and Riviera Maya, among others. This opening within North America brings their brand to an additional market as they continue to expand outside of Asia.
RIDGE has been working for nearly three decades in the Bahamas, primarily in construction, infrastructure, and long-term destination development.
