Above: a rendering of Atlantis Sanya Hainan

By the Caribbean Journal staff

A Bahamian icon will soon open in China.

Kerzner International announced this week that it would be developing the Atlantis, Sanya Hainan on Hainan island in China.

Kerzner International Holdings Limited has reached an agreement with Fosun International Limited to develop the property, which will be the third Atlantis in the world — following those on Paradise Island in the Bahamas and Dubai.

The property, which will be set on 62 hectares on Haitang Bay National Coast on the South China Sea, is slated to launch construction by the end of this year, according to Kerzner.

“Atlantis resorts have really defined the destinations they are located in—first in The Bahamas, and then on Palm Island, in Dubai,” said Guo Guangchang, Chairman of Fosun, in a release. “Atlantis, Sanya Hainan will re-interpret the myth of Atlantis in a new and modern style, whilst pioneering previously unseen experiences to re-define holiday experiences in China and beyond. I am proud to be bringing Atlantis, a must-see resort, to Hainan, China.”

The property is set for completion in 2016.

““I am very excited to be bringing Atlantis to China,” said Sol Kerzner, Chairman of Kerzner. “I know this property will astonish and amaze guests — I have been working with the designers to come up with something that captures all the wonders of Atlantis, with its magnificent sense of discovery, whilst also introducing new experiences specifically for Sanya. I can’t wait to unveil this resort to the world.”

New York-based Brennan Beer Gorman Architects has been tapped to design the project. The firm will work with Kerzner’s Development and Design Team and.

The interior design will be overseen by Jeffrey Beers, who was part of the teams at Paradise Island and Dubai.

“China is the perfect location for our next Atlantis destination resort.  This resort is set to quickly become a new landmark in China and will introduce the fun, interactive entertainment experiences at the heart of the Atlantis philosophy,” said Alan Leibman, CEO of Kerzner. “I am thrilled that we are able to continue to innovate on the Atlantis adventure.”

The first Atlantis opened in 1998 on Paradise Island.