Oscar-nominated actor Leonardo DiCaprio has announced plans to build an eco-conscious resort on a tiny island off the coast of Belize, from real estate firm Delos.
In partnership with Delos, DiCaprio鈥檚 venture will establish 68 guest villas and 48 private houses on Blackadore Caye, a tiny island 45 minutes by boat from Belize City. In addition to setting aside 45 percent of the island for conservation, the project鈥檚 directors say they intend to restore what they describe as an ecological treasure that has suffered from overfishing, deforestation, and an eroding coastline.
Though the amenities planned for Blackadore Caye fit the description for luxury hospitality鈥攇uests will have access to three restaurants, a private beach, and a spa and wellness center鈥攄evelopers say the resort will follow and, in fact, innovate in eco-hospitality.听
鈥淢y goal was always the fact that I wanted to create something not just environmental, but restorative,鈥 Mr. DiCaprio . 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 have gone to Belize and built on an island and done something like this听if it weren鈥檛 for the idea that it could be groundbreaking in the environmental movement.鈥
In addition to constructing the guest lodgings according to the Living Building Challenge, which the press release calls 鈥渢he world鈥檚 most stringent and progressive green building certification,鈥 designers envision a nursery on the island to support a manatee conservation area, as well as an ambitious mangrove replanting plan听and construction of an artificial reef to slow and reverse erosion. Guests will be asked to follow a set of guidelines for what they can take to the resort (plastic bottles are out) and will go through an ecology orientation program once they arrive.
The resort in Belize is not the first time DiCaprio has given attention or money to environmental efforts. In addition to donating $1 million to the Wildlife Conservation Society, , the actor is on the board of the World Wildlife Fund. He was also an early investor in Delos, according to the Times, having purchased an apartment in听the firm鈥檚 development at 66 East 11th Street in New York City.