fp Turks and Caicos

“Luxury today is not just about expense, but about quality of life and experience,” said CEO Stefan Kral, explaining the concept behind the long anticipated Salt Cay development.

The Salt Cay resort project has been in the works for some time but came to a standstill not long after it was mentioned during the Commission of Inquiry hearings a year ago.

Salt Cay Devco owner Mario Hoffmann said he was putting the project on hold — including public infrastructure — because the attorney general, the governor and U.K.’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office would not allow the project to move forward.

Governor Wetherell said he could not comment on any agreement between Devco and Six Senses, but “there is no change in the position of the government with respect to Devco; i.e., pending the conclusion of investigations which are now in hand, any performance of project documents does not constitute affirmation of those documents. This of course also holds for any agreement entered into between Devco and a third party.”

According to Kral, they have put those challenges behind them and are moving forward full steam ahead. “We believe our project is what should happen to give Salt Cay a future.”

Kral says that future includes a Six Senses Resort and Spa which they expect to open in 2013. The new resort will encompass a hotel, private residences, golf course and spa. This new resort is expected to stand out from other developments in the Caribbean due to its ultra-low density, environmentally friendly focus and respect for its surroundings and the local community.

Six Senses is known and has been repeatedly recognized for providing sustainable tourism options for consumers, suppliers and partners. “This is good news for the country,” Kral explains, “Six Senses refuses 95 percent of developers who come to them with projects. It is a good signal to the outside that they believe in the Turks and Caicos.”

One of the concerns raised is the simple size of the project. Salt Cay Devco, through purchase or lease, remain in control of the majority of the land on the island. Kral argues this was the only way to ensure the preservation of the island and prevent large commercial development other islands have experienced. “We are building with the environment in mind. We don’t want someone to come and build a six-story high rise next to our resort. Securing the land around the project was the only was to ensure this was possible.”

The ultra-low density concept Salt Cay Devco plans to build claims more than 95 percent of the resort property will remain untouched. Design Director Marek Baca says they aim to create something unique but inspired by the environment, something that fits into the landscape of the islands.

Salt Cay Devco has also committed to the residents of Salt Cay to respect their island and help preserve their history. “No one is investing in the historical heritage of Salt Cay.” Kral says working alongside organizations such as the DECR and National Trust, they plan to reinvigorate the island including restoring the salt salinas in order to share its history with visitors and their guests.

The project has been broken into three phases, the first of which requires the company to make a $15 million investment in the island as part of their development agreement, signed in 2008. That will begin with a barge dock, roads and basic infrastructure of the island. Currently both the dock and the airport are in dire need of repair.

After Hurricane Ike in 2008, the break wall which protects the boats in the harbour (Dean’s Dock) was left vulnerable, and further damage was experienced in October 2009. Currently the airport can only land small craft, which limits the ability to fly in supplies to the island. That leaves boats as the only other alternative. With the dock being damaged and the threat of the break wall crumbling completely, residents live at risk of being completely cut off from the rest of the country.

Salt Cay Devco has committed to repair the dock but has yet to receive word from the governor that they may go forward with their plans.

Salt Cay Devco purchased the majority of the land it plans to develop before 2009 in the northern part of the island, and Kral says they plan to put forth their building permits within the next 30-60 days. “We have a valid contract with the government and see no reason we should not move forward,” Kral said.