Final plans and brand new renderings have been released for Leonardo DiCaprio’s ambitious eco resort and wildlife reserve off the coast of Belize.
The Hollywood star, Oscar winner and
environmental campaigner wants the island of Blackadore Caye to become the world’s leading example of green hospitality. It has been conceived with the aim of restoring its fragile surrounding ecosystem, while offering guests a taste of luxury in a tropical setting.
DiCaprio and the Blackadore Development Group have spent the last six months gathering feedback from local stakeholders and citizens on the design of the resort, which has been created by Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston International and environmental sustainability architect Jason McLennan.
The original plan to place some of the resort’s villas on a giant platform stretching in an arc over the water, with artificial reefs and fish shelters beneath it, has been scaled back to appease local environmentalists. Blackadore Development said the decision to remove something that had “garnered great design acclaim” based on expert feedback demonstrates its dedication to ensuring the resort is as environmentally sustainable as possible.
The island’s infrastructure has been designed under a conservation framework developed by biologists and ecologists who have studied ways to support and preserve the island’s habitat and biodiversity during construction.
The project will also seek to showcase how to stabilise a quickly eroding landscape through ecological shoreline protection. Mangroves will be replaced, invasive species removed and native species planted. This in turn is expected to enhance the soil and habitat, creating better conditions for reef and fish breeding.
The resort itself will feature 36 resort bungalows, 36 estate homes and a a protected wildlife preserve that covers over half the island. All power used will be sourced from renewable energy and water will be provided through rainwater collection and onsite water treatment.
McLennan has used geometrical concepts in his designs for the resort, with the proportions of buildings derived from mathematical proportions found in nature.
DiCaprio recently hosted
Before the Flood, a National Geographic documentary about climate change,
which can be viewed for a limited time here.
