When the Fairmont Southampton hotel opened in 1972, it marked the culmination of the largest construction project in Bermuda since the Second World War.

The hotel, then known as the Southampton Princess, was an all-inclusive resort with 600 rooms, restaurants and bars, beach facilities, sporting options including golf and tennis, large convention spaces and a theatre. Many will fondly remember the Follies shows and other live entertainment, including legendary performers such as Ray Charles, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Bette Midler and many others that drew visitors and locals alike.

Construction of the Southampton resort was made possible thanks to the investment of American businessman, Daniel K. Ludwig, who also owned the Hamilton Princess at the time. Mr Ludwig invested in the property, as he firmly believed in the future of Bermuda’s tourism sector.

Fifty years on, the property entered a new era under the ownership of a Gencom affiliate, the visionaries who had previously acquired Rosewood Tucker’s Point and with acquisition of the Fairmont Southampton further expanded their investment with the goal of elevating Bermuda’s standing as a premier global destination.

Renovations at the hotel are progressing well, with a significant investment under way to transform the Fairmont Southampton into a modern resort featuring reimagined spaces and enhanced amenities designed to attract both visitors and locals alike.

The Fairmont is truly being restored to its former glory, and beyond. The new Beach Club promises to be a world-class facility capable of hosting large events and weddings. The hotel itself is undergoing extensive renovations — electrical, plumbing, exterior, interior spaces, and every one of the 596 guest rooms will be remodelled. There will be several signature dining options including new venues and revamped favourites such as the Jasmine Lounge and a completely renovated Poinciana Ballroom, which will be a welcome reopening of the largest facility on the island for hosting events and conventions.

Our commitment has always been that the hotel renovations would be completed — and the property reopened for visitors — before the residential project began. The renovation is on track with a planned reopening of the hotel slated for 2026.

The special development order for the residences at the Fairmont Southampton property will be tabled in Parliament today — and marks a milestone in what will be a significant investment in Bermuda’s tourism sector and the island’s future economic prosperity.

An SDO to build residences on the Southampton property dates to 2006; it has been revised and resubmitted several times during the past 20 years.

SDOs are typically granted to projects that are in Bermuda’s national interest — and we firmly believe this project meets the criterion. The residences will provide additional accommodations for visitors, jobs for Bermudians and draw increased spending on island.

Residences at hotel properties are now common throughout the world, including Bermuda. Most of the island’s major resorts include a residential component, such as Rosewood Tucker’s Point, the St Regis, The Loren at Pink Beach, the Azura, the Reefs, with additional residences planned for the Elbow Beach redevelopment and now at the Fairmont Southampton.

The SDO allows for the development of up to 159 tourist accommodation units and up to 91 residential units within buildings of two to four storeys and associated development such as common areas and recreational facilities.

There is still much work to be done on the residences project including final designs, planning applications and permits, and it is unlikely that any work will commence before 2027.

Once the project begins, there will be many jobs available in construction and other services that will need to be contracted with local Bermudian businesses. As the residences come online, there will be jobs in maintaining and servicing the properties, as well as opportunities for local businesses such as taxis, tour operators, restaurants, retail stores and more. In addition, having more visitors in the off-peak season helps bolster hotel revenues as guests use the hotel services and amenities.

We understand the concerns over environmental impact and are taking proactive steps to mitigate these effects, and protect and support the surrounding environment. Bermudians and visitors want to know that the environment is a primary focus, as well as to be surrounded by abundant flora and fauna.

The SDO outlines the creation of three Protected Conservation Areas totalling 7.5 acres. Efforts to protect and enhance the property’s cultural, sustainable and environmental heritage include historic gun emplacements, improvements to the Railway Trail within the campus, enhanced habitats for birds, extensive planting of native and endemic trees and shrubs, upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant and improved efficiency through renewable energy.

This project is essential to Bermuda’s tourism product. Residences ensure year-round visitors and the economic benefit that will result. The reopening of the hotel and the addition of the residences will incentivise airlines to increase air capacity to the island. Before closing, the Fairmont Southampton hosted approximately 29 per cent of visitors to the island and accounted for 12 per cent of total air passenger traffic at the airport. The Bermuda Tourism Authority recently highlighted that the reopening will increase room capacity on the island by 25 per cent and could drive an 11 per cent to 14 per cent increase in air visitors. The addition of the residences will further increase the number of available rooms and, as a result, air visitors.

A website will be launched soon with information on the Southampton Residences project. Additional information will be added to the website as plans progress.

We succeed only when the local community succeeds. We are committed to the long-term success of Bermuda’s tourism product and creating jobs and opportunities for Bermudians — to provide the expertise, goods and services, and to enjoy the benefits of a modern, sophisticated resort. We look forward to keeping the public informed as the residences project progresses.

• Chris Maybury represents the developer Westend Properties Ltd, a subsidiary of property owner Gencom