First Banyan Tree Resort and Residences Announced for the Caribbean
Rockwell Island Development Group (RIDGE), alongside its owner and developer Rafael Reyes, announces Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences, an unmatched private luxury destination, set to shape refined living in Bimini, Bahamas. RIDGE has amassed a world-class team for this endeavor in Bimini, including five-star, global hospitality brand, Banyan Tree, who is overseeing resort management and the rental program for private residences, world-renowned architectural practice Oppenheim Architecture, who is leading design efforts for the entire development. Sales and construction have already begun, and the first five complete residences will be delivered in early 2025.
Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences will be situated on Rockwell Island, a secluded peninsula, surrounded by pristine sand and crystal-clear waters. The development is nestled within natural beauty, exclusively reserved for the community of owners and hotel guests. The island is a mere 48 nautical miles east of Miami and accessible by seaplane, private charter jet, helicopter or boat. Door to door transportation from Miami is under 30 minutes, and owners can arrive within three hours from New York, Texas, and other major U.S. markets. Within an overall property spanning 750-acres, RIDGE will deliver 54 custom waterfront residences, a 50-key five-star hotel, and Bonito Beach Club, all with bespoke services and amenities, and a second phase will include a deepwater superyacht marina, private 18-hole golf course, and members’ only clubhouse.
"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."
All private residences at Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences are waterfront and will be highly amenitized and available in five custom layouts, with prices starting at $3.5M. Unique for this development is that each home will have a private dock, nearby beach access, and ample indoor/outdoor space suited for both relaxation and entertaining. In addition, these residences can be placed in a rental program managed by Banyan Tree. Owners and rental guests will have access to the brand’s signature five-star concierge services, allowing them to come and go with peace of mind.
All Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences property owners become members of The Sanctuary Club, which provides exclusive recognition, benefits and discounts across the entire Banyan Group portfolio, and entry into an exchange network with other participating residence owners.
RIDGE has engaged award-winning, Miami-based architectural firm Oppenheim Architecture to lead the architectural design and creative direction for the development and Raymond Jungles as the development’s landscape architect. Chad Oppenheim, founder and principal of Oppenheim Architecture, is renowned globally for blending minimalism with environmentally harmonious architecture and for his skillful incorporation of natural elements with striking design.
“Since beginning work on Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences, we have held true to the philosophy that the architecture should celebrate the island’s spirit of place. Our mission has been to celebrate the essence of Bimini through design that becomes hidden in the landscape,” says Chad Oppenheim. “There is artistry in the change of sky, water and light, and we translated those qualities into timeless homes and bungalows that celebrate the island’s natural beauty.”
In addition to branded and serviced residences, the development features a boutique resort also designed by Oppenheim Architecture and managed by Banyan Tree. Banyan Tree is a world-renowned operator of luxury resorts, residences and spas in extraordinary destinations such as Thailand, Bali, Vietnam, and Riviera Maya, among others. The hotel will have 24 beachfront villas and 26 overwater bungalows, akin to those in similar exotic destinations such as Maldives. This opening within North America brings this highly sought after brand to a new market as they continue to expand outside of Asia.
"We are delighted to partner with Rockwell Island Development Group to introduce Banyan Tree to this exceptional destination, further expanding our presence in this vibrant region. From Phuket to Shanghai, Saudi Arabia to Mexico, Banyan Tree is going global as the advocate of sustainable travel," said Eddy See, President and CEO of Banyan Group. "The Banyan Tree brand embodies intimacy, nature and local traditions, and Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences reflects these values by embracing the local culture and natural environment, inviting guests to immerse themselves in this Sanctuary for the Senses."
Widely known from St. Barths and Aspen, RIDGE has enlisted Bonito to serve as the onsite beach club operator. Bonito Beach Club at Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences will entice members and guests with chef-driven dining in an extraordinary setting, VIP table service, private cabanas, yachting and tender services, and additional recreational programming. Residents who purchase into Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residents will gain access to the private club upon closing.
Leveraging nearly three decades of experience in the Bahamas, RIDGE excels in construction, infrastructure, and long-term destination development. In addition to the creation of Rockwell Island and its surrounding family of islands, they have already developed water, sewage, and power facilities within the region. RIDGE, among several other private institutions, was instrumental in the approval for the redevelopment of the South Bimini International Airport in November 2023. Bimini Airport Development Partners Limited has committed to investing $80 million for the project over two phases. Phase one will begin in 2024 including airside and terminal improvements to enable international commercial traffic from key United States and European markets. Construction will also commence on a ferry terminal to bring visitors directly from the airport to North Bimini.
In addition to the commercial airport, RIDGE has secured approval for a seaplane terminal in partnership with Tropic Ocean Airways, complete with customs and immigration, to make travel to and from Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences that much more seamless. This is slated to be the largest seaplane base in all the family islands.