Crockwell: ‘We’ve talked with Douglas’

Film star Michael Douglas has begun talks with Government about redeveloping Ariel Sands.

The actor was recently on the island to push ahead with plans to build what he has described as his ‘family’s new hotel’.

Yesterday, Minister of Tourism, Development and Transport Shawn Crockwell confirmed that Government had met with Mr Douglas about his proposals for the Devonshire property.

Pleased

Mr Crockwell told the Bermuda Sun: “We have had talks with Michael Douglas and were pleased to hear what he had to say.

“At this stage I would defer to him and his associates to see what they want to say.

“Preliminary discussions were very productive.

“It would be fantastic if it could happen.”

Mr Douglas is a part owner of the Ariel Sands property, along with members of the Dill family.

Just this week Mr Douglas was in Bermuda posting a picture of himself on his Facebook page saying: “In Bermuda, working on building my family’s new hotel at Ariel Sands. It is going to be great.”

However, no details of the redevelopment plans have been made public yet.

David Dodwell, chair of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, said: “The BTA and the country are excited about the renaissance of Ariel Sands.

“We are in contact with the developer and we are offering assistance.

“We are excited about the project and the possibility of this taking place.”

Ariel Sands has been empty since it closed in 2007 pending redevelopment.

And a series of potential deals, including one with the Hilton hotel group, failed to get off the ground.

It had been announced in 2006 that Hilton Grand Vacation Club was to partner with Ariel Sands in a $170 million timeshare villa, spa, restaurant, and conference centre.

Hotel development and planning permission was approved in March the following year but it never came to fruition.