projects

ReardonSmith’s master plan for the first phase development of The Drax Hall Estate encompassed some 800 acres of virgin land along the Northern coast of Jamaica. The scheme included two hotels, a marina, a championship golf course, a sports and equestrian centre and a substantial quantity of apartments, townhouses and villas.

Respect for the stunning natural environment was the guiding principal. Therefore, a number of major studies were undertaken at this early stage to ensure that ecology, conservation and sustainability would be carefully addressed as the project evolved. For ReardonSmith, a principal objective was to leave both landscape and flora as untouched as possible. The hotels were woven into the surrounding topography and vegetation so that the line between interior and exterior was obscured.

As a general rule, no new building was to break the existing tree canopy. The only major intervention planned was the introduction of a ‘canal’, bringing a new seaway into the site and making a connection with the new marina basin. This feature carried with it two major advantages. The first was that it acted as a ‘flushing’ device for the marina; in addition, it would increase the number of waterfront villa plots with their enhanced commercial value.