Olson Kundig

Six Senses is coming to Grand Bahama as part of a project that will boost local tourism, development, and investment while encouraging sustainability and regenerative activity on the island. With social and environmental responsibility at its heart, the new resort and residences will create employment opportunities for Grand Bahamians and enhance the natural resources and engage the surrounding community while protecting the land for future generations of locals and visitors to Grand Bahama.

Transformative model for The Bahamas and Caribbean projects
Today’s challenges are answered through actions, not words. At Six Senses Grand Bahama, a team of experts in coastal resilience, marine ecology, and sustainable design is collaborating with Bahamian consultants to ensure their wealth of knowledge is incorporated and applied to all aspects of the development.

The initiative is led by two investment groups – Weller Development Partners and Pegasus Capital Advisors – both with a proven track record of environmental sustainability and a reputation for developing transformative projects. A priority for the investors is hiring from the communities directly surrounding the project, and through a partnership with Blue Action Lab, they plan to launch a multifaceted job training and skills enhancement program. With a formal launch expected to kick off within weeks, the project will create hundreds of jobs for Bahamians, both in the construction phases and when the resort opens its doors. Founding Partner and President of Weller Development Partners Marc Weller said, “We are dedicated to ensuring that our developments have a positive social impact on surrounding communities. Our team uses sustainable practices that reduce our carbon footprint, establish resilient and healthy communities, and preserve our natural environment. We want to build trust and work with the people of Grand Bahama to achieve their priorities and realize the potential of this amazing island.”

This is one of the few projects in the world that is partnering with the Global Fund for Coral Reefs to increase the resilience of reefs and communities that depend on them. Creating a resort with self-sufficient energy and waste ambitions will also act as an exemplar for future eco-tourism models on Grand Bahama and across The Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Resort village
Designed by architects 3XN, the resort village will comprise 59 waterfront and canal villas enjoying 2,400 feet (732 meters) of beach frontage and water on three sides. In addition to the guest accommodations, plans are afoot for a signature restaurant, beach venue, boathouse, and pool bar. Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs said, “We’re eager to reflect the authenticity of Bahamian lifestyle, culture, and landscape through organic pathways and architectural design to create a community blended with our signature ethos of wellness, sustainability, crafted guest experiences, and emotional hospitality.”

Units will be modular and prefabricated to minimize on-site impacts and adhere to the high sustainability targets. Commenting on the design, 3XN’s founder Kim Herforth Nielson said, “This is a great opportunity to investigate new construction methods and define a specific and new approach to sustainability in The Bahamas – both for the buildings and to respect the exceptional local nature.”

Future development of the 36-acre site will see direct access to a new marina that will feature a floating restaurant. The resort village will host an Experience Center along with artist studios, relaxed meeting spaces, a fitness center, and Six Senses Spa. In addition to the Earth Lab, there will also be a Marine Research and Dive Center focused on coastal resiliency, native plantings, and land restoration. Additional land and sea areas will be designated as preserves, further enhancing the local biosphere.

Branded residences
Under an hour by plane or 2.5 hours by boat from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, Grand Bahama is the gateway to The Bahamas and a short commute to and from South Florida and major international hubs. Designed by architects Olson Kundig, there will be 20 branded residences for owners seeking a home-away-from-home near the cosmopolitan and family-friendly capital Freeport. One of the last of the islands to develop – until the mid-20th century, the island was little more than a pine forest – Grand Bahama gained a stable source of income when in 1955 Virginian financier Wallace Groves began redevelopment with the Bahamian government to build the city of Freeport under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement and create the Grand Bahama Port Authority. The result is a laid-back, accessible community that balances modern infrastructure, hotels, and golf courses, with golden beaches and aquamarine waters. Outside the city, the island is an explorers’ delight with expansive mangrove forests, sea caves, and sandy cays.

Talking about the partnership, Principal/Owner & Founder of Olson Kundig Tom Kundig stated, “Six Senses’ immersive approach to hospitality, travel, and wellness offers guests an opportunity to experience something extraordinary at all levels. I couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with them on the design of their new resort on Grand Bahama and support our shared agenda for wellness, sustainable design, community, connectivity with nature, and transformative experiences.”

Summing up the project, the Founder and CEO of Pegasus Capital Advisers Craig Cogut said, “Our aim is always to create nature-based solutions and sustainable infrastructure while generating social and environmental outcomes that are intentional, material, and scalable.” Pegasus Capital Advisors specializes in investments in sustainable ocean production, eco-tourism, and infrastructure.

Six Senses Grand Bahama is slated to open in 2026.