The Ediacaran Group has officially broken ground on its Long Bay Zen Resort, a 113-key luxury development set along one of Antigua's most celebrated stretches of coastline. According to Antigua.news, the project is valued at US$200 million and carries the full backing of the Antiguan government.
Demolition is expected to begin immediately, with major construction scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of this year. The development is positioned as a landmark investment in Antigua's high-end tourism sector.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Long Bay Resort developer Sophie Zhong described the property as centred on sustainability, smart technology, and what she calls quiet luxury. Zhong characterised the resort as understated and sustainable, featuring green energy systems, a dedicated desalination plant, and what she terms invisible technology.
Among the resort's headline features are an AI butler service, automated transport, and an underwater chapel — the latter of which, the developer says, will strengthen Antigua's standing as the Caribbean's premier destination wedding location.
The Ediacaran Group's path to Antigua is unconventional for a hospitality investor. The company's origins lie in gaming and data analytics, and North American expansion eventually brought it to Antigua, where it has maintained investments across multiple industries for a decade. The investors obtained citizenship through Antigua's Citizenship by Investment Programme.
Minister Fernandez, speaking at the launch, cited the development as tangible proof of what CIP investment can produce, connecting it to the government's broader Tourism Vision 2030 strategy. He pointed to ongoing airport expansion and new airlift routes as key drivers of demand for high-end accommodation.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne was emphatic in his praise for the project. With room rates potentially reaching US$5,000 per night, Browne expressed hope that hotel staff would be compensated above the liveable minimum wage his government is in the process of introducing.
The groundbreaking signals new prospects for job creation and economic growth as Antigua continues to position itself as a premier Caribbean luxury destination.
