New Hamilton hotel closer to reality

SUNDAY, APR. 1: Proposals for a new luxury hotel in Hamilton have taken a step closer to reality, Tourism Minister Wayne Furbert said today (Sunday).

Mr Furbert added the Ministry had brokered a meeting between developers Starwood and the Corporation of Hamilton, who have been deadlocked over the plans for a St Regis Hotel at the at the car park at the junction of Par-la-Ville Road and Church Street.

He said: “We have put the hotel developers together with the Mayor and Corporation of Hamilton and have urged them to find common ground for the good of Bermuda.

“I am encouraged by the latest meetings, which have seen significant results.”

Mr Furbert added: “The St Regis project is so very important to Bermuda. It will create many jobs which will stimulate our economy and will demonstrate, in the most practical way, Bermuda’s ability to attract top hotel management groups like Starwood to the island and give confidence to future investors.”

The hotel and condominium development has been stalled as the developers continue talks with the Corporation, which holds the lease of the proposed site.

Mr Furbert added that he and his team had been working with both sides to resolve the issue.

He said: “We are today closer to reconciling these issues. Moreover, as Minister, I can confirm that I have seen the commitment letter from the firm who are prepared to finance the project and I’m convinced that with a high level of goodwill on both sides, we can now move the project ahead. Time, however, is of the essence.”

Mr Furbert added: “The agreement has fixed timelines for the development and the respective parties are fully aware of their mutual obligations, which are enveloped in the executed leases, and agreed herein.”

And he said that he hoped to be able to provide an update and more details of progress in getting the hotel off the drawing board “in the coming weeks.”