Construction on The Brando, located on the French Polynesian island of Tetiaroa, formerly owned by actor Marlon Brando, is progressing steadily with completion slated for late 2012. Pacific Beachcomber, S.C., developer of the anticipated resort, on Friday provided a number of updates.
Gaston Tong Sang, president of French Polynesia, recently made an official visit to Tetiaroa for a tour of The Brando construction site. Organized by Richard Bailey, CEO of Pacific Beachcomber S.C., and friend of the late actor, the trip was designed to demonstrate the progress made on the project's construction with the president and his minister of environment, Jules Ienfa, as well as to underscore the facility's potential for the region in tourism, employment and sustainable development.
"President Tong Sang was impressed both by the progress of the project and by the overall concept for The Brando," said Bailey. "He also expressed the positive impact the resort will bring to French Polynesia, creating jobs and adding an exciting new dimension to its tourism industry."
Sustainability remains at the forefront of construction efforts and progress. Pacific Beachcomber said it is committed to the goal of attaining LEED Platinum certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The company hopes to make Tetiaroa a prototype for sustainable development in the hospitality industry.
The Brando will produce as much energy as it consumes-or more in an effort to be carbon neutral. The two principal renewable energies that will be used on the island will be solar panels and bio-fuel generators. The photovoltaic (solar) panels will be installed alongside Pacific Beachcomber's new airstrip, which was completed in May 2010. The balance of the energy demand will be sourced using bio-fuel.
A major component of Tetiaroa's goal of energy autonomy is the installation of a seawater air conditioning (SWAC) system, which uses cold water pumped from 930 meters (nearly 3,000 feet) below the surface to cool the water used in the resort's air-conditioning system. Given the year-round tropical climate in French Polynesia, air conditioning can account for up to 50 percent of electricity consumption. SWAC significantly reduces the demand for electricity and will further Pacific Beachcomber's goal of creating a 100 percent renewable energy community. This will be the second industrial SWAC system in the world, the first is located at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa, which is owned by Pacific Beachcomber. The Bora Bora system has saved approximately 2,500 tons of carbon dioxide per year since it was installed in 2006. The Brando also is planning an innovative wastewater management system that will filter liquid wastewater into water usable for irrigation.
Landscaping efforts are already well under way on the atoll. The master plan for Tetiaroa includes a substantial landscaping program aimed at caring for existing vegetation while also reintroducing various plant species on Onetahi (one of the islets, or motus, of Tetiaroa) that are native to the island. Pacific Beachcomber intends to recreate the island's original landscape, and nearly all plants that are currently being cultivated are already found on the motus of Tetiaroa. The landscaping program on Tetiaroa is a continual effort that will ultimately be incorporated into the ongoing management of Tetiaroa.
Pacific Beachcomber also said it is a founding member of the newly created non-profit Tetiaroa Society, which is dedicated to research, conservation and education related to the unique and delicate ecology of the island. The non-profit's goal is to create a scientific and educational window into the biodiversity of Tetiaroa, and raise public awareness regarding its fragile ecology. Tetiaroa Society is named after The Royal Society of London, which financed Captain James Cook's first expedition to the islands in the 19th century.
In addition, Pacific Beachcomber is building a research facility on Tetiaroa , which will be donated to Tetiaroa Society. In keeping with Marlon Brando's wishes, students and scientists will have access to the facility for onsite research and education. In addition, another founding member of Tetiaroa Society, Brando Enterprises, which backs Pacific Beachcomber's project, has committed $100,000 in support of Tetiaroa Society's conservation and educational activities.
In 2005, after conducting a great deal of due diligence, Brando Enterprises entered into an agreement with TBSA and Richard Bailey for the creation of The Brando on Tetiaroa. Today, Brando Enterprises continues to work closely with TBSA, Richard Bailey and the Brando Beneficiaries to ensure that The Brando is built according to Marlon's original dreams for his island. The Brando will also offer a real estate component, selling 25 residences located on the Eastern shore of Motu Onetahi.
The resort will be the only hotel on Tetiaroa. Purchased by Marlon Brando in 1965, Tetiaroa is a 13-island chain circled by a coral reef 35 miles from the island of Tahiti. The Brando will feature 47 deluxe bungalow villas (each with private plunge pools), a spa, fitness center, community pool, as well as various island activities including scuba diving and archaeological tours of royal Tahitian sites.
With 630 hotel rooms and 166 cabins, Pacific Beachcomber is the country's largest luxury hotel and cruise operator. In addition to the recent acquisition of the Paul Gauguin (www.pgcruises.com) luxury cruise vessel, Pacific Beachcomber operates six hotels (tahitiresorts.intercontinental.com) InterContinental Tahiti Resort, InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, InterContinental Moorea Resort and Spa, the Maitai Bora Bora and the Maitai Rangiroa (www.hotelmaitai.com). For more information, visit www.pacificbeachcomber.com or www.tetiaroa.pf.
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