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News : Grand Bahama Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Developer of 'Ascot Grand Bahama' speaks to Rotary of GB Sunrise
Nov 6, 2014 - 11:00:38 PM

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Developer, 3D architect, Steve Bell.

Freeport, Bahamas - The following are remarks made by Steve Bell at a
Rotary Club of Grand Bahama Sunrise meeting on November 5th, 2014:

Last month I pulled the drapes off the “Ascot, Grand Bahama” project, a beachfront residential-resort development that I am spearheading and something that has been a secret for over a year now.

Naturally there are many questions about the project and how a person like me comes from out of the blue with such well-developed plans, summaries, financials and artwork.

Firstly, the Ascot project is not just one person – It is a group of motivated people, professionals and business owners that have decided that it is time to do something big on the island. While most people see Tim Tibbitts of Flying Fish and myself at the face there are so many more.

It started from Harry Rahming, a local businessman, suggesting that maybe I should consider this project and tenaciously pushed me until I broke down, did a thorough analysis, and decided to commit time and money. Landowner Suzanne Mandt-Raunch, who loves the island, agreed that it is now time to collaborate on something significant for what was her home for so long.

From there it was a matter of evangelising and enlisting the help of the best on the island, and only with those who can check their egos at the door and have a burning desire to get something happening here. Attorney Terence Gape saw the vision and “connected the dots,” steering the project at its very inception. Attorney Tara Dorsette has been working on purchaser contracts, buyers funding options and legalities, while attorney Adam Cafferata has been consulting on condo association documentation. Maitland Cates has been backing the project up with auditing and accounting requirements. Wolfgang Geiger has been preparing construction schedules, budgets and projections.

Then of course comes even more overwhelming support from people that most people know but may never had connected to a project like this. Tony Hanna (aka Tony Macaroni) ensures that all people that come to the island to inspect the site and project get true Bahamian cuisine and hospitality. Lyndah Wells assists with photography of all participants and both her and Mark Da Cunha gathered images for use in proposals.

Kevin Hubbard, a man so experienced that he is already forgetting what most of us are still learning, heard of what I was up to and saw it as imperative to fly to Grand Bahama and take up the lead as Project Director. Many people in the Bahamas will know Mr Hubbard from his construction of the Lucayan Plaza Beach Resort and Emerald Bay Resort in the Exumas.

And they are still just a few of the many people, who have quietly and enthusiastically devoted their time, local expertise and resources to ensure that Grand Bahama lives up to its name. These people are leaders, not just in their individual fields but in their community and vision for a great future.

So you see, while Mr Tibbitts and I may be the loudest, most visible advocates, we are just two of the people that are nurturing this project and have assisted in various ways to create what is very quickly gaining the momentum of a freight train and has rapidly attracted more international interest than even I could have imagined.

The progress to date has been monumental. It took a year of research, refinement, meetings and planning, but within hours of the project going public, investors started calling and we have already shelved one while determining the absolute best deal for the project and whether we require any more assistance than what is already here on the island. Pre-construction sales, set to commence in the coming months, are well planned, competitive and the immediate interest is overwhelming.

At this point I must also state that my career has spanned many projects in many places and this is the first time I have taken on one in my home, Grand Bahama. It is very clear to me, based on more than 25 years experience, that this island is not just the soundest investment in the Bahamas but with the assistance of the Port Authority, it is also the most attractive for business.

While many people like to express that they support the dream of this project I have to always correct them. You can’t build a business plan on hope and/or dreams. This project, while beautiful in location and nature, is built on solid, conservative financials and with perfect timing.



Steve Bell is a specialist in 3D for architecture, design and analysis with a solid background in property development, construction and design. Combining digital artwork with the web and video, Steve Bell brings small and large developments to life well before they are built, analysing data/design, improving overall awareness and enhancing pre-construction sales results.

Based previously and experienced in: Australia, Singapore, Dubai, London, Saudi Arabia, USA, and The Bahamas.

Past and current international clients include: Porsche Design Tower; Trump Sonesta; Four Seasons; St Regis; Ritz Carlton; Humana; Atlantis; Royal Commission for Jubail (KSA); CBS Sports Channel; HGTV; W Hotels; WCI Communities;  US Army Corp of Engineers; Turnberry;  The Pearl Qatar; El Ghouna, Egypt; Multiplex; Australand; Baulderstone Hornibrook; AV Jennings; Forrester Kurts; and Meriton.



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