St thomas virgin islands, The Wyndham's Margaritaville timeshare resort opening has been pushed back to 2015, with construction to start in December.
Margaritaville Vacation Club by Wyndham will take over the former Renaissance Grand Beach Resort property in Smith Bay on St. Thomas.
When the partnership between Wyndham and Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville brand was announced earlier this year, Wyndham officials said the construction would begin as early as July and the resort would be opening in the end of 2014.
To date, no construction has begun.
Wyndham Vacation Ownership Executive Vice President of Human Resources Sarah King said the delay is because the company still is perfecting the design before work begins.
"We're finalizing the project plans," she said Thursday. "Because this is our first Margaritaville Vacation Club resort, we really want every detail to be perfect." Wyndham hired St. Croix contractor J. Benton Construction in conjunction with the stateside contractor Moss & Associates to do the demolition and reconstruction on the resort.
The property has been abandoned for years, and the buildings are in bad shape.
While most of the buildings will remain and simply be refurbished, a few will be demolished and replaced with new construction, King said.
The project will have two phases, completed over a three-year period, and will represent about a $100 million investment, according to King.
The project will take 290 hotel rooms and turn them into 262 condo units.
The first phase will focus on the 70 beachfront units, along with the pool, pool bar, restaurant, marketplace, front desk, dive shop, retail shop, fitness center, game room and on-site sales office.
The second phase will convert the hillside hotel rooms into the remaining condo units.
King said Buffett's Margaritaville chain most likely will manage the pool bar and restaurant.
The project will create about 250 to 300 construction-related jobs -- everything from plumbing to landscaping -- as part of the project, King said.
About 80 percent of those jobs will be local hires, she added.
In mid- to late 2014, Wyndham Vacation Ownership will send a recruiter to the island to begin hiring for the resort staff. King anticipates providing about 125 full-time jobs once the entire resort is up and running.
Because the resort is a timeshare resort, and not a convention center, the number of full-time staff is fewer than at other properties, she said.
People interested in working during the construction phase can email jbmossjobs@mossemail.com. Those interested in jobs at the resort once it is opened can go to www.wvojobs.com.
"We're really excited, this is just going to be an amazing experience," King said.
Margaritaville Vacation Club by Wyndham will take over the former Renaissance Grand Beach Resort property in Smith Bay on St. Thomas.
When the partnership between Wyndham and Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville brand was announced earlier this year, Wyndham officials said the construction would begin as early as July and the resort would be opening in the end of 2014.
To date, no construction has begun.
Wyndham Vacation Ownership Executive Vice President of Human Resources Sarah King said the delay is because the company still is perfecting the design before work begins.
"We're finalizing the project plans," she said Thursday. "Because this is our first Margaritaville Vacation Club resort, we really want every detail to be perfect." Wyndham hired St. Croix contractor J. Benton Construction in conjunction with the stateside contractor Moss & Associates to do the demolition and reconstruction on the resort.
The property has been abandoned for years, and the buildings are in bad shape.
While most of the buildings will remain and simply be refurbished, a few will be demolished and replaced with new construction, King said.
The project will have two phases, completed over a three-year period, and will represent about a $100 million investment, according to King.
The project will take 290 hotel rooms and turn them into 262 condo units.
The first phase will focus on the 70 beachfront units, along with the pool, pool bar, restaurant, marketplace, front desk, dive shop, retail shop, fitness center, game room and on-site sales office.
The second phase will convert the hillside hotel rooms into the remaining condo units.
King said Buffett's Margaritaville chain most likely will manage the pool bar and restaurant.
The project will create about 250 to 300 construction-related jobs -- everything from plumbing to landscaping -- as part of the project, King said.
About 80 percent of those jobs will be local hires, she added.
In mid- to late 2014, Wyndham Vacation Ownership will send a recruiter to the island to begin hiring for the resort staff. King anticipates providing about 125 full-time jobs once the entire resort is up and running.
Because the resort is a timeshare resort, and not a convention center, the number of full-time staff is fewer than at other properties, she said.
People interested in working during the construction phase can email jbmossjobs@mossemail.com. Those interested in jobs at the resort once it is opened can go to www.wvojobs.com.
"We're really excited, this is just going to be an amazing experience," King said.
