Unfinished hotel now needs 7MB marina permit: Cayman News Agency

(CNS): The developer of the Grand Hyatt, a 10-story hotel currently under construction on the southern end of Seven Mile Beach, has applied to build a water sports dock that was not part of the original project. While there is no specific policy against docks on Grand Cayman’s famous beaches, the construction of such docks is extremely rare due to the impact they could have on marine life.

Pageant Beach Hotel Ltd has lodged an application for a coastal works permit and claims the resort will be the largest hotel in the Cayman Islands when completed.

According to the recent Cayman CompassThe application submitted to the Department of Sustainability is for a 10-foot wide, 138-foot long pier located on the seashore at the high water mark. Anyone who wishes to comment can do so until August 28, including those who oppose the proposal, no matter where they live. If approved, the work would be done on Crown property that belongs to everyone.

No other details about the proposed concrete pier have been revealed, but the application indicates the developer hopes to use it for water sports at the hotel, including docking a large catamaran to provide trips for guests and visitors.

While there are already several marinas in the area, and more construction applications are being lodged at the southernmost end of Seven Mile Beach on the edge of George Town’s port precinct, the new addition to the hotel project will be located on the north side of the existing marina.

While the application states that vibratory hammers and silt screens will be used during construction to mitigate impacts on the marine environment, the Ministry of Environment has repeatedly pointed out that these measures can only provide limited protection and therefore the marine environment will be affected during construction.

Once completed, the marina will likely restrict light and disrupt water circulation. Boat noise and busy activity around the marina will have a direct impact on marine life in the area.

The hotel project has been under construction for more than six years and initially appeared to be stalled after approval and construction began due to funding issues. Later, with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, construction was completely halted and did not resume until 2023, when the developer secured a new financial partner.

The 190-room hotel is expected to open in 2025. The hotel also features a residential section with 88 “aparthotel-style” rooms and 76 one-, two- or three-bedroom suites, which can also be part of the available rental inventory for the tourism industry.

Developers said in promotional materials there will be six restaurants, three resort-style pools, a 12,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, and a 25,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor meeting area.