Sonesta site sale attracts interest locally and overseas

The estate agents responsible for overseeing the sale have received enquiries from overseas as well as within Bermuda since it went on the market at the beginning of the week.

Penny MacIntyre, manager of commercial sales and leasing at Rego Realtors, told the Bermuda Sun the response is “very encouraging”.

She said the trust that currently owns the property has already begun work to clean up the site.

Ms MacIntyre added: “We have been pleasantly surprised.

“We have had interest from outside of Bermuda as well as on the island.”

Litter

Many residents who live near the old Sonesta site have branded it an “eyesore”.

The remnants of the hotel still scar the landscape and rusting containers litter the grounds. But Ms MacIntyre confirmed that work has already begun to improve security at the site and clean it up.

She said: “The trust that now owns the site has embarked on a tidy up of the area.

“They have hired contractors to cut the bushes, clean up the debris and get rid of the rubbish that has been left by the winter weather. This process will be ongoing over the next few months.

“The more permanent reminders of the old Sonesta, like the slides and tennis court, will remain and it will be up to the buyer to clear them up.”

The ocean-front site covers 32 acres and includes three South Shore beaches.

The previous owners, Scout Real Estate, had planned to build a five-star resort on the land.

But after demolishing the old hotel, re-development plans never materialized.

Tourism

Ms MacIntyre said: “There is still a long way to go before this site is sold.

“But it has been a good start considering it has only just been put on the market.

“This area is obviously zoned for tourism and we have had all sorts of interest in it. Some people are looking at it as a resort while others a residential/hotel development.

“The fact it is a freehold is also a major factor.

“We expect we will have a successful sale and it is everyone’s hope that it will be up and running soon to encourage tourism.”