By NATARIO McKENZIE


Tribune Business Reporter


nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A $10 million “special projects destination” on Rose Island, featuring a 12-room resort, is expected to launch in early November.

Businessman and landholder, Thomas Basden, founder of the Bahamas’ first elevator company, Basden Elevator, said that after investing $10 million in the three-acre site over the past four years, the development was set for a November 1 launch.

Cam Grantanna, his resort, will cater to special projects, corporate functions and secluded getaways. Mr Basden said the idea for the project initially stemmed from a desire to build a cabana at the site for his grandchildren, and evolved over time.

“They shot a James Bond movie at Coral Harbor. I have a piece of beachfront property out there, and the James Bond people rented the property as a one of their sites,” Mr Basden said.

“The thought came to my mind to build a site with all of the amenities, and when my family isn’t using it others will use it. That’s how the idea was born to build what I refer to as a special projects resort,.

During a tour of the property with Prime Minister Perry Christie, Mr Basden, said the site has two water and electricity sources.

“There are two sources of electricity - 30 kilowatts of solar power and a 250 kilowatt standby generator,” he explained. “There is rain water here and well water. There is also a dock and a helicopter pad which meets FAA standards.

“People who need a movie site, a site for research and that type of thing; church groups, political groups could all use this site. They will be able to rent a property and develops whatever they want to develop on it.”

Mr Basden said that while he had maintenance staff, he did not offer catering and housekeeping services. “In any agreement I will make with the client, I will rent them the property, whether it be for a week, a month or a year and introduce them to a catering company. We anticipate that we will be on the market by November 1,” Mr Basden said.
 Mr Christie said of the project: “This has been a very difficult project, and you can see how he has gone about in making it a green project. Even though he has generators with surplus capacity, he has in fact integrated into the mix solar, LED lighting and all of the energy-saving devices and use of energy from natural sources that, again, sets another standard and example for Bahamians.

“The question for us really as he moves to open it to the public is the assistance he will need in marketing it. I think the challenge now for us is that given that this Bahamian has made what is a substantial investment, and he is not a hotelier by profession, the question is how do we ensure that this property is a successful model for Bahamians, not just in being built but that it is operated efficiently, effectively and has a return on investment.”