Group 70 International Wins Bid on Major Tahiti Resort Project Aimed at Revitalizing the French Polynesian Economy

$3 billion project includes five hotels, aquatic park, casino, convention center, theaters and retail shops

Group 70 International won the bid on the $3-billion Tahiti Mahana Beach Resort and Spa. (Graphic: Business Wire)

HONOLULU--()--French Polynesia President Gaston Flosse announced Saturday, July 19, 2014 that Hawaii’s leading design firm Group 70 International, Inc. (G70) was selected as the architect, interior designer and civil engineer on record for the 130-acre Tahiti Mahana Beach Resort and Spa project intended to reignite tourism in Tahiti and stimulate its economy. The project is being led by the French Polynesian government who approved G70’s initial design plans and a jury selected the kama‘aina design firm over a firm from France and China to develop the innovative project on Tahiti’s west side.

Anticipated to be the largest resort in French Polynesia, G70 is responsible for developing a comprehensive waterfront plan for the nearly $3-billion resort project that includes five international class hotels, a timeshare, condominiums, a marina, an aquatic park, a casino, a convention center, theaters and luxury retail shops.

“We were up against 77 other international companies for the contract, so we are extremely pleased to be back in this beautiful country and contribute to its expansive redevelopment,” said Group 70 Chairman Francis Oda, FAIA. “We realize the significance of this project for Tahiti’s economy and livelihood of the entire community, so it was very important for us to work in collaboration with local professionals from Tahiti. We did not want to keep the benefits of such an unprecedented project exclusive to ourselves.”

This year, G70 will form Group 70 Tahiti, a French Polynesian corporation based in Tahiti to service this project. The G70 architecture team is led by Chairman Francis Oda, FAIA, interior design by Vice Chair Sheryl Seaman, AIA, and civil engineering by Associate David Brotchie, P.E. Additionally, G70 will work with Hawaii-based Walters, Kimura, Motoda, Inc. on the landscape architecture.

The resort’s design will pay homage to the unique characteristics of the French Polynesian culture, while offering guests an unparalleled tropical retreat. The design theme, centered on the respected Polynesian voyaging tradition, has been tastefully incorporated throughout the property with structures based on elements such as navigational charts and canoes. The resort’s high-rise centerpiece will feature an iconic sail-shaped façade, and sustainable design elements like a sea water air conditioning (SWAC) system will be incorporated throughout.

G70 anticipates breaking ground on the project in six to nine months with a target completion in 2021.

About Group 70 International, Inc.

An award-winning design firm founded in Honolulu in 1971, Group 70 International is dedicated to a collaborative approach in all it does and committed to design that reflects the people in which the project serves. For more information on Hawaii’s leading design firm specializing in planning, architecture, interior design, civil engineering and sustainability, visit www.group70int.com.

Contacts

for G70
Jennifer Pang, 808-371-2882
jpang@pangcomm.com
Darcy Manning, 323-635-6407
dmanning@pangcomm.com

Release Summary

$3 billion project includes five hotels, aquatic park, casino, convention center, theaters and retail shops

Contacts

for G70
Jennifer Pang, 808-371-2882
jpang@pangcomm.com
Darcy Manning, 323-635-6407
dmanning@pangcomm.com