Brando Enterprises, the operating entity created by the Marlon Brando Living Trust to manage core business interests of the Brando Trust, has announced that construction on The Brando has begun with the official authorization from the French Polynesian government following several years of studying the impact of construction on the environment and the successful navigation of the building permit process. Completion of The Brando is slated for late 2011.
A product of the late Marlon Brando’s original vision, The Brando is located on the French Polynesian atoll of Tetiaroa. The luxury eco-resort will feature 47 deluxe bungalow villas (each with private plunge pools), a spa, fitness center, community pool, as well as various island activities including scuba diving and archaeological tours of royal Tahitian historical sites.
Construction of The Brando began with the building of a platform on the coral reef to provide logistical access to the island without causing environmental damage to the atoll. Additionally, the old airstrip is being refurbished and extended to meet new government’s safety standards.
The exclusive resort will be the only hotel on Tetiaroa, the former playground of Tahitian Kings in French Polynesia’s idyllic islands. Purchased by Brando in 1965, Tetiaroa is a 13-island chain circled by a coral reef offering a tranquil and pure paradise 35 miles from the island of Tahiti. The Brando results from Brando’s commitment to create a project which will resonate with visitors while fostering opportunities for guests to experience the many unique and wonderful aspects of Tetiaroa.
The project is being overseen by Brando Enterprises with Tahiti Beachcomber SA, which owns and operates several luxury resorts in French Polynesia, responsible for the construction and management of the resort.
The initial concept and vision for The Brando was the result of a collaboration between Marlon Brando and Richard Bailey, CEO of Tahiti Beachcomber S.A., and friend of the actor. The collaboration eventually led to Brando signing a building permit in 2002 authorizing Tahiti Beachcomber S.A. to begin the development of the resort on Tetiaroa. Following Brando’s death in 2004, the Brando Trust, working under the consent and approval of the entire Brando family, continued to work closely with Tahiti Beachcomber S.A. to develop an eco-resort true to Mr. Brando’s original vision for Tetiaroa. In 2005, The Marlon Brando Living Trust formally entered into an agreement with Tahiti Beachcomber S.A. to develop The Brando, the luxury eco-resort on Tetiaroa.
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The hotel honors Marlon Brando’s dreams for an ecological utopia that is energy-autonomous, built entirely with natural materials from French Polynesia, and showcases the latest in renewable energy technologies. In addition, Tahiti Beachcomber S.A., as part of the resort project, will build a scientific research facility on Tetiaroa. This facility was inspired by a research facility on Tetiaroa built by Brando in the early 1980’s. The resort’s research center will be used by scientists from around the world to conduct various types of research projects on remote South Pacific atolls. The resort will also feature a marine sanctuary to help preserve the diverse marine and sea bird life that abound in and around Tetiaroa.
“Development and construction of The Brando is true to Marlon Brando’s ultimate dream for Tetiaroa. The Brando Trust has worked closely through the years with Tahiti Beachcomber S.A., the French Polynesian government and the non-profit French Polynesia foundation Te Mano O Te Moana to create an ecologically balanced resort that reflects the historical importance of Tetiaroa, respects the unique environment of the atoll, and honors the people of French Polynesia. The guests of the resort will have the opportunity to see and learn firsthand about the many culturally significant sites on the atoll, view and enjoy the natural environment of the atoll, and experience a revolutionary energy-autonomous resort. The Marlon Brando Living Trust is truly excited about the development of The Brando and looks forward to the opening of the resort,” said Brando Enterprises.
www.thebrando.com
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