Robert De Niro and James Packer partner to create US$250m Caribbean resort on Barbuda
by Jane Kitchen | 24 Jun 2015
Robert De Niro is growing his portfolio of leisure businesses / Featureflash / Shutterstock.com
Robert De Niro has signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a US$250m (€223m, £158.8m) hotel and spa resort in Barbuda, the lesser known twin island to Antigua.
The resort will be a refurbishment and expansion of K-Club, a resort which became famous in the 90s as a hideaway for Princess Diana and princes William and Harry, but which closed eight years ago.
Islanders vote on Monday to determine the future of the plans, but prime minister of the government of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, has pronounced De Niro special economic envoy to the two-island Caribbean country for his commitment to reviving the K Club.
His celebrity will result in increased interest in the island from a global audience and a boost to tourism.
De Niro is partnering with Australian media mogul James Packer on the deal. Packer owns Crowns Resorts which has resorts in Melbourne, Perth and the City of Dreams in Macau, China. The Barbuda resort is likely to be developed under the Paradise Found brand.
De Niro is no stranger to the leisure industry. He co-owns The Greenwich hotel and Shibui Spa in New York City and is a shareholder in a number of Nobu businesses, including the first Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.
De Niro, along with partners chef Nobu Matsuhisa Hollywood producer Meir Teper also recently opened the Nobu Hotel in Manila.
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Read David Rockwell's take on working with Nobu in CLADmag 2015 issue 2 here.
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Robert De Niro has signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a US$250m (€223m, £158.8m) hotel and spa resort in Barbuda, the lesser known twin island to Antigua. The resort will be a refurbishment and expansion of K-Club, a resort which became famous in the 90s as a hideaway for Princess Diana and princes William and Harry, but which closed eight years ago. Islanders vote on Monday to determine the
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