by Brian Major
Last updated: 1:30 PM ET, Mon December 1, 2014
PHOTO: Robert DeNiro signs $250 million resort agreement with Gaston Browne (left), Antigua's prime minister. (Photo courtesy of government of Antigua and Barbuda).
The government of twin-island nation Antigua and Barbuda this week announced an agreement with star actor Robert DeNiro for a $250 million resort on Barbuda. Citing the Academy Award winner's "visionary" appreciation for the country, Prime Minister Gaston Browne also named DeNiro, reportedly a frequent Antigua visitor, a "special economic envoy" of Antigua and Barbuda.
Browne is clearly hoping the "Raging Bull" star will deliver a prize-winning performance in terms of promoting Antigua and Barbuda tourism. The prime minister said he expects DeNiro to "attract more investments" to the twin-island nation.
"It is my belief that your celebrity status will attract more American celebrities to Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean," Browne told DeNiro during a special sitting of the Antigua and Barbuda cabinet.
DeNiro's project, which Browne said will be launched through a partnership headed by DeNiro and Australian businessman James Packer, would renovate and expand Barbuda's defunct K-Club resort into a new luxury property. Browne said he expects the deal to be signed late next month, construction beginning within the next 12 months.
"We are indeed very delighted that [DeNiro] will be embarking on a very exciting project on Barbuda, transforming the island," Browne said, "making it one of the most exciting islands in the region. The project is attracting additional investors to our country."
DeNiro has previously developed hotel properties in partnership with restaurateur Nobu Matsuhisa. However the Barbuda project will not involve the Nobu brand and instead will be developed under the brand name "Paradise Found," said Browne, who did not release additional details of the agreement. According to local media reports, the property's lease is held by Italian fashion designer Mariuccia Mandelli.
The DeNiro project announcement follows the government's announcement earlier this year of plans to for a $2 billion, 1,600-acre mega resort on land formerly owned by jailed former financier Allen Stanford.
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