PI project concern over ‘compelling opportunity’

• Royal Beach Club could impact Club Med site plans

• Atlantis executive also warns on downtown fall-out

• Denies Royal Caribbean competition driving worry

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A SENIOR Atlantis executive yesterday warned that concerns over Royal Caribbean’s Paradise Island project could harm downtown Nassau’s revival and “the most compelling real estate opportunity in The Bahamas” if not resolved.

Vaughn Roberts, senior vice-president of government affairs and special projects, said the mega resort and its owner, Brookfield Asset Management, would likely cease working on development plans for the 50-acre former Club Med property if environmental (see other article on Page 1B) and other issues surrounding the cruise line’s recently-approved Royal Beach Club are not addressed to the mutual satisfaction of all.

The beach break destination, located opposite Nassau Cruise Port, would be in close proximity to a site that Atlantis/Brookfield are thought to be eyeing for high-end residential and other real estate options. Several hundred partying cruise passengers may not be a good fit for such plans, while Atlantis also has multiple environmental misgivings it wants addressed via the