Making Ambergris Caye an International Destination
Attorney Joel Nagel joined ECI Development co-founder Michael Cobb last April to announce that a luxury Marriott Hotel would be built on Ambergris Caye. The island is known for its scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing, but it has lacked a luxury resort like the Marriott. ECI Development is determined to make the island a prime destination for international travelers.
A Team of Experts
Nagel and Cobb have brought a prolific architect on board in Rafael Amuchástegui, founder of RAD Architecture. The firm, which has offices in Miami and Cordoba in Argentina, specializes in commercial, hospitality, and residential properties. RAD brings the latest in ecological and environmental designs and materials to its projects. These qualities are very important to ECI, which is looking to create a vibrant yet hospitable space that is true to the mission of preserving Belize’s natural resources.
RAD’s experience with the latest in hi-tech materials is going to be critical to the success of the hotel. The island is beautiful, and temperatures are perfect, but cutting-edge construction materials will have to be used in order to withstand the humidity and salt levels as well as the hurricane season.
In addition, the hotel is scheduled to open in 2021 so the construction schedule is fairly tight and manpower for a project of this scale is scarce. RAD’s expertise will be required to select the correct materials of a lighter weight, such as light gauge steel, which can be dried and cured in a shorter amount of time.
Cherishing Ambergris Caye’s History and Culture
Rafael Amuchástegui envisions a hotel that will blend in perfectly with Ambergris Caye’s cultural history and quaint character. The exterior will reflect what a hotel of this size might have looked like during the British colonial period. The interior, however, will be designed with the best of modern amenities, including ample natural light, outdoor spaces, ceiling fans, and courtyards. Every guest will have a room that faces the water.
Before opening his own company, Amuchástegui worked for Nichols Brosch Sandoval in the design of properties in Turks and Caicos, the Caymans, and the Carolinas. During his tenure at Wilson and Associates in Dallas, he was part of the team that developed Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas and the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town.
Amuchástegui was born in Argentina. After graduating from the National University of Cordoba with a degree in architecture, he moved to the US to earn his MBA.
Amuchástegui and the rest of the team are very excited about the impact this unique resort property is going to have not only on Ambergris Caye but for all of Belize.
