A landmark site is reborn

By Alexander Britell

A major new hotel project is coming to Antigua.

Replay Resorts has announced the acquisition of 108 acres of oceanfront property on the site of the former Half Moon Resort.

The property, which was first built in the 1950s, was once a celebrity hotspot but has been shuttered for decades.

“Over the past 18 months we have met with developers from around the world who have shown great interest in redeveloping Half Moon Bay, but Replay Resorts stood out for its expertise in resort place making and as importantly, its ability to put these places on the world map,” said Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne. “These are integral elements to realizing the potential of Half Moon Bay. Replay’s vision for Half Moon Bay will generate significant employment and economic benefits for the people of Antigua for years to come.”

Replay says it has already completed preliminary planning for what will be the new Half Moon Bay Resort, which will include a branded beachfront hotel, oceanfront villas, a retail village and ocean view cottages.

“We feel honored to be entrusted with the redevelopment of Half Moon Bay,” said Michael Coyle, CEO of Replay Resorts. “Our vision for Half Moon Bay is to create a destination resort with experiences and adventures that create indelible memories for our guests. We will work in partnership and collaboration with the people of Antigua to provide these experiences. We like to say that we help our guests see the ways of the place through the eyes of a local.”

The government said the property has been approved for Antigua’s citizenship by investment program, with sales of the real estate component of the project slated to begin immediately.

Replay will be announcing its hotel brand partner this spring, with construction set to begin in late 2016.

“This is our second acquisition in the Caribbean this past year,” said Replay Managing Director Bill Green. “Our strict investment criteria and development strategies focus on creating destinations in locations with an established reputation, hospitality market, and brand. Antigua aligns perfectly with our growth strategy. Half Moon Bay affords Replay a unique competitive advantage to create what we believe will be one of the finest resorts in the Caribbean.”

Replay, which is based in Vancouver, operates in the US, Mexico and the Caribbean with a team of strategists, planners, designers, builders and operators developing new tourism and real estate destinations.

Antigua has become one of the Caribbean’s hottest hotel development markets, with a wave of new projects on stream in the last two years, most notably one led by Robert DeNiro on Barbuda.