March 12, 2011
The Start of Something Big
Greetings from Oil Nut Bay and YCCS Virgin Gorda! In just a few days the first Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous gets underway. It’s going to be a fantastic celebration, and the first of many superyacht gatherings in the North Sound. The Oil Nut Bay, Biras Creek and YCCS, Virgin Gorda teams are hard at work, preparing for the some of the world’s most exceptional superyachts. You can feel the enthusiasm and anticipation – and we will be ready to get the party started.
As you might expect, bringing together some of the world’s most majestic sailing and motor yachts requires considerable advance planning. The preparations and teams have been working together like a well-oiled machine, completing the final touches. And, we’ve got the experts onboard. Our partners in the festivities, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) and Boat International Media, have put together a superb program. The skill of these teams and their behind-the-scenes work has been inspiring. Some of the vessels that are confirmed to attend include:
Sailing Yachts
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Kokomo
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191ft
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Alloy Yachts
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Twizzle
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189ft
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Royal Huisman
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Zefira
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163ft
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Fitzroy
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Lady B
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145ft
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Vitters
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Hanuman
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138ft
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Royal Huisman
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Moonbird
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122ft
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Fitzroy
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Sojana
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115ft
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Green Marine
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Zefiro
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100ft
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Southern Wind
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Aiyana
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82ft
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Alia Yachts
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Astro de l’est
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82ft
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Nautor
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Motor Yachts
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Cakewalk
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281ft
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Derektor
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Vita
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150ft
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Trinity
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Gran Finale
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147ft
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Delta
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Constellation
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130ft
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Westport
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Resolute
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130ft
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Westport
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Go
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128ft
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Feadship
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Kelly Sea
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112ft
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Westport
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Chanticleer
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110ft
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Burger
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Vitesse
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100ft
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Hargrave
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The Oil Nut Bay and Biras Creek teams have pulled out all the stops. Everyone is focused on ensuring that guest dining, spa, sea and shore activities are first-class – let’s change that to world-class. No detail has been overlooked when it comes to our guests’ comfort, dining, activity choices and watersport adventures.
The Oil Nut Bay Beach Club has been a hub of activity with final landscaping and pool decking now completed. The gorgeous pools at the Beach Club look pretty inviting, and I can’t wait to take a dip. Also, our meal and beverage teams have done an excellent job preparing for the luncheon, cocktail and dinner parties that are part of the Rendezvous program.
Be sure to check out the full slate of events and activities for the Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous website at: http://www.superyachtregattaandrendezvous.com/yachts/
On behalf of the Oil Nut Bay crew, we look forward to seeing you and welcoming you to the Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous.
Best,
David
February 15, 2011
We are energized!
What an historic couple weeks we have had at Oil Nut Bay! The miles and miles of underground cable and wiring that have been so carefully installed throughout the resort are now energized. Although we've had power at Oil Nut Bay for some time, connecting all the areas throughout the property to our grid was one of the last remaining pieces of our power infrastructure.
We now have electricity from BVI Electric powering the resort and the buildings throughout the community. Finishing this important infrastructure element is also giving us the ability to move the fresh water we've been generating throughout the community.
To give you an idea of the size of our grid, not only does it extend throughout the Oil Nut Bay Community, but it also reaches past Biras Creek to the YCCS Marina Virgin Gorda. That's a total of over 3.5 miles!
It was a monumental day for our team as we energized the new Mega-Yacht dock at YCCS Virgin Gorda. I'm happy to report that Resolute, my home base in the BVI, is now plugged into BVI shore power. The dock's LED blue lights are turned on and are beautiful from both shore and sea views
To mark these big occasions, we thought a pizza party was in order. Of course, to make a great pizza, you need an awesome oven. We fired up the Beach Club's new outdoor pizza oven and celebrated. Whether you prefer your pizza margherita, rustica or marinara, our talented Beach Club team will make it delicious.
The work and preparation for the Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous are at full speed - 7 days a week. The festivities take place March 16-20, 2011 and the details for the races, activities and parties are being finalized. Confirmation of some of the worlds most amazing sailing yachts such as Hunuman, Twizzle and Zefiro -- among many others -- are confirmed. The Oil Nut Bay and YCCS Virgin Gorda teams are looking forward to welcoming new faces and showcasing our community during this premiere yachting event.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about Oil Nut Bay. And, check back here to stay posted on news and updates for the Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous.
Best--
David
December 21, 2010
On behalf of the Oil Nut Bay and Biras Creek teams, we wish you the very best of the Holiday Season.
It's been an exciting and incredibly active autumn here on Virgin Gorda. And, I'm happy to report that our building and construction efforts are moving along rapidly. If you haven't visited Oil Nut Bay recently, you'll be surprised by all the changes. What were once designs and plans on paper are now spectacular buildings and beautiful homes that are strategically placed to compliment Oil Nut Bay's exceptional landscape.
It's challenging to highlight the many developments that have happened over the past few months -- but several are particularly significant. As each core piece of Oil Nut Bay is finished, I'm reminded of what drew me to this extraordinary part of the world. Simply stated, the natural beauty of Virgin Gorda, the sheltered cruising waters of the British Virgin Island's North Sound, and the welcoming and gracious people of the BVI continue to surpass my expectations.
Here are some of the most exciting updates rounding out a busy and productive 2010 at Oil Nut Bay.
- The Oil Nut Bay Beach Club is nearing completion and will be open for viewing over the holidays. Landscaping is going in now. We look forward to welcoming you to Oil Nut Bay's anchor and social hub as we toast the New Year.
- We're finishing and powering up Oil Nut Bay's utility grid and its key infrastructure elements. Odds are that you probably won't ever see all the mechanical and engineering behind our community, they've been designed to be quite invisible. Over four miles of utility infrastructure elements and more than twenty miles of conduit have already been installed underground. Oil Nut Bay home owners will have peace of mind knowing that these essential infrastructure pieces are perfectly robust. I'm very proud of the decisions and choices that we've made along the way. We've used advanced systems, leading edge technologies and engineering know-how to make Oil Nut Bay both exceptionally comfortable and eco-friendly.
- Home construction and home site development continue in full swing. During your next visit, don't be surprised to see completed Villas and Estate properties in progress. Hardscape and landscape elements are also being placed and installed.
- The incredible North Sound waterfront is now even more desirable with our marina and state-of-the-art docks coming online for this Christmas. We brought together the best marine design and construction firms in the business - Applied Technology Management (ATM), Bellingham Marine, and the BVI's own Meridian Marine Construction - to create spectacular yacht berthing dockages and moorings. The design, engineering and construction expertise from these leading firms is resulting in a marina that will be unparalleled not only in the BVI and the Caribbean, but also throughout the world. The marina's eco-friendly design - which includes floating docks - sets it apart from other superyacht marine facilities. We're making the final tweaks on the docks, which will open later this month.
Partnership with Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS)
I've saved the most exciting news for last - our partnership with the world-renowned Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS), and the creation of the YCCS Marina Virgin Gorda. I'm delighted that the YCCS has selected the North Sound of Virgin Gorda as its Caribbean home base, and I'm honored that our company is a partner in this world-class Yacht Club and Marina.
For more than 40 years, the YCCS has been a premier yacht club in the Mediterranean, known internationally for its world-class service, amenities and tradition of sailing excellence. Selecting the Oil Nut Bay resort community as the Caribbean home base for the YCCS speaks volumes about the Oil Nut Bay brand and our ability to deliver exceptional service, quality, architectural beauty and luxury. In addition to our state-of-the-art Marina, we're also creating a Yacht Club that will support the world's most extraordinary vessels with a one-of-a-kind sailing and yachting experience.
What does this relationship with YCCS Marina Virgin Gorda mean to present and future Oil Nut Bay owners? It's just another compelling reason to choose Oil Nut Bay for your resort home. And, it suggests why this neighborhood is one of the best in the world.
With the ability to choose from the most premier locations around the globe, the YCCS chose Virgin Gorda's North Sound and us. Why? It's a refrain I'm never tired of repeating. The BVI offers...
- The best cruising waters in the world that are safe, secure and protected
- Governmental and financial stability
- Outstanding weather
- Wonderful islands and "neighborhoods" with restaurants, activities and hospitality
- Amenities that are easily accessible with excellent provisioning and supply choices
- Great people
- And, the Victor BVI team of professionals
All of these attributes will be center stage March 16-20, 2011 as the YCCS Marina and Boat International Media organize the Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous. The YCCS is renowned for organizing outstanding international sailing events. This celebration kicks-off our official launch of the YCCS Marina Virgin Gorda. The slate of festivities includes superyacht racing, water sports, and entertainment for owners, families and their friends. (Personally, I'm looking forward to the tender-based treasure hunt around North Sound and the Chef and Cocktail Competition.) Of course, the celebrations will continue when the sun goes down with cocktail receptions, beach parties and fine dining with gala dinners at Oil Nut Bay and its neighboring communities.
The Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous will showcase the very best of Virgin Gorda and all that Oil Nut Bay and our sister resort, Biras Creek offer. Click here to learn more about the Caribbean Superyacht & Rendezvous.
Wrapping it Up
It's been an excellent year at Oil Nut Bay. And, as eventful as 2010 has been, you can expect much more in the coming months. We're building on the momentum and rev'ving up to full throttle for 2011.
On behalf of the Oil Nut Bay and Biras Creek teams, we look forward to your next visit to Oil Nut Bay.
Happy Holidays.
June 24, 2010
It's been a very active month at Oil Nut Bay. We're putting the final touches on the 
Beach Club and recently completed one of the pools. The pool's waterfall and azure blue tiles look fantastic. It is great to see the design come to life, and to see how the pool's distinct zones will more than satisfy adult, kid and family swimming preferences. The team is doing a great job and I am very happy with the speed of construction and our progress.
In last month's blog I touched on one of our core strengths at Victor International --the multi-generational community. It's something that's a centerpiece of our design tradition, and is personally important to me as a parent. For this blog, I want to share how Victor International interprets the multi-generational concept.
At Oil Nut Bay, we talk a lot about how home is the catalyst for building memories that last a lifetime. This is not just a marketing brochure bromide. For us, it's a key part of our community design and master plan. It centers on creating a community setting that offers something wonderful for each member of the family. The entire community is designed around the concept of gracious living for the immediate family and extended family and friends. We work very hard to create an environment that encourages all ages (parents, children and grandchildren) to experience the natural beauty of the land 
through lifestyle and leisure activities.
When we began work at Bay Harbor 16 years ago, I remembered the great times I had as a kid in northern Michigan at family camp. My folks, family friends, cousins (basically the whole crew) came together every year. We had fun and adventures. The only downside was that it was pretty rustic.
As my career as a developer evolved, I kept thinking back on those times from my childhood. I wanted my daughter to experience that same type of connection in a place that would appeal to everyone in the family. And, I wanted a setting that offered casual luxury with amenities and conveniences that would give you more time to enjoy leisure and being on the water.
My daughter helped put it into perspective. At age 6 while we were on a vacation, she kept reminding me "...I need things to do." It was pretty obvious that we needed more than just a beautiful house to make the vacation a home run. That's how the multi-generational focus for Bay Harbor was born, and it's become a blueprint for the Oil Nut Bay experience.
With Bay Harbor, and now with Oil Nut Bay, we're evolving traditional vacation home ownership. We're taking the vacation experience and translating it to more of a life experience. We start with spectacular land, create beautiful homes and then find ways to make the experience deeper. The result is an experience that creates memories that stay with families for generations.
At Bay Harbor, we discovered that owners were hungry for activities -- programming they could share with their children. And we also discovered that everyone was eager to learn about the beauty around them. As Bay Harbor has continued to thrive, I'm proud of how we've helped transform vacations into life experiences.
The multi-generational family vacation has really evolved. It was a long-established element in the past. Think back a hundred years ago to the grand houses and estates at the seaside or in the country. These spectacular homes were places where families gathered to leave the demands of city life for relaxation and time together. That tradition disappeared from our lives for a period of time. Fast forward to 2001. The tragedies associated with 9/11 brought back a renewed desire to connect as a family.
In the travel and real estate sectors, you can see a lot of evidence of this shift. Families are looking to create their place in the sun sooner-- rather than later. Instead of putting off family vacations or vacation home purchases until the kids are off on their own, people are choosing not to wait until retirement.
- According to American Express Travel, "home away from home" destination experiences continue to be very popular, especially with multi-generational families. Some industry experts have even coined a term for this type of vacationing--"togethering." AmEx predicts that the multi-generational trend will build more momentum, especially as vacation villas offer comfort and activities that cater to everyone in the family.
- Virtuoso, a by-invitation-only luxury travel network that focuses on premium travel experiences, reports in its Luxe Report survey that private villa rental is booming. They forecast that bookings for private villa rentals will increase in 2010 over 2009.
We see proof of these trends every year at Biras Creek. During Christmas week, we have returning families that have grown up together and have spent every holiday together for 12 years, 16 years, even 20 years. The families all know each other and remain connected by shared life experiences and friendships.
We've also seen the same thing at Bay Harbor as families and friends come together on a regular basis throughout the year to enjoy time and leisure together. They are building memories that will last a lifetime.
Vacation homes are a great touchstone for families. As a parent, you want to be able to share the special things from your childhood with your kids. At Bay Harbor, some of the first children who vacationed in the community now have children of their own. And they're bringing the next generation back to connect with grandparents and friends.
The biggest thing that I've learned from Bay Harbor is that people want to spend time together as a family. In the new world of vacationing and tourism, the family unit is together a lot more. People want to enjoy activities with their kids and their grandchildren. They want to capture experiences and make memories. Whether it's going sailing or taking on new adventures as a family, or just having dinner together, they want to connect.
So, when we say Oil Nut Bay is a place where you can come together with family and friends to create rich experiences and memories, we mean it.
I look forward to seeing you at Oil Nut Bay.
David
May 18, 2010
Welcome to my first official blog entry. It seems fitting to begin with a few thoughts about why Oil Nut Bay is so unique. People often ask me why I selected the BVI as the place for Victor International's next resort community. And truthfully, the short answer is its incredible physical beauty. It took my breath away when I first saw Virgin Gorda and Oil Nut Bay. The combination of the light, the colors of the water and the dramatic topography of the land made my heart flutter in my chest. And that's rare for me. When the flutter effect happens, it's a signal.
But while natural beauty of the land is requirement for every Victor International community, it certainly isn't the only requirement. You need more than a beautiful landscape. We know from our experience at Bay Harbor, that in order to create a successful community that will thrive for generations, other elements must be part of the canvas. Great people, access to excellent resources and an environment that can support the ways people want to live must be present. We found all those elements here in the BVI -- and that's why I know Oil Nut Bay is a ground-breaking resort community for the Caribbean.
People are coming to the BVI. Even people that have gone to other Caribbean islands are realizing what a hidden jewel this place is. First, there's a stable government and high degree of security and safety. The financial services industry -- which is significant here -- has discovered that the BVI offers the stability required for their business. And you can feel how the stability extends throughout the BVI.
We also encountered a solid infrastructure here. By that, I mean the BVI government, utilities, telecom and builders have been tremendous partners throughout the development and creation of Oil Nut Bay. We've made excellent progress with our own infrastructure elements (fresh water generation, electricity, communications network) at Oil Nut Bay thanks to the excellent work of the BVI community. And frankly, I'm not sure we would have this level of success in other parts of the Caribbean.
The people of the BVI are another reason Victor International selected Oil Nut Bay. In fact, the most exciting thing about our creation of Oil Nut Bay, by far, has been the fantastic people that I've met here. The people who work at Biras Creek, our sister resort, are an awesome team. I'm convinced that one of the reasons so many guests return to Biras Creek year after year is because of our dedicated staff. I'm proud to call them my friends. And we keep finding that same caliber of dedicated people as Oil Nut Bay evolves. The contractors and the workers on site are an outstanding crew.
The other thing I'm thrilled with is the lifestyle here in our corner of the BVI. It's much better than I even dreamed it would be. I love driving my boat to work. It's an adventure. And everyday's a different adventure. It never gets boring, and it's a wonderful place to spend quality time with family and friends.
There are going to be many significant milestones happening over the next several months as homeowners move closer to completion of their homes and Oil Nut Bay's Beach Club and other facilities open for business. And Victor International is prepared for the next phase of the community's daily life. The Oil Nut Bay vision is the result of a 15-year study and search. We researched around the globe. We looked at many resort communities and asked, "What'd they do right? What should they have done differently?" And all of that research and benchmarking are paying off. We're taking the best of the best, and adding what we do best -- the multi-generational community.
Thanks for reading my first blog...keep checking back for updates and progress at Oil Nut Bay.
David