Above: a rendering of the project (rendering: McLennan Design)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio is developing a hotel off the Caribbean coast of Belize.

The project, which would be an eco-resort, is located on the private island of Blackadore Caye, which DiCaprio reportedly purchased in 2005 for $1.75 million. (He bought the island with Jeff Gram, who owns the existing Cayo Espanto resort, one of the region’s top private island hotels).

Now, the New York Times reports that DiCaprio is planning to build an eco-resort in partnership with development firm Delos.

The project, dubbed “Blackadore Caye, a Restorative Island,” would include 68 villas and a residential villa component.

Designer Jason F McLennan has been tapped as the architect on the project; McLennan Designs has already produced renderings of the site.

DiCaprio is the latest high-profile actor to get into the Caribbean hotel industry.

Late last year, fellow Hollywood legend Robert De Niro announced plans to develop a luxury resort project at the former K-Club site on the island of Barbuda.