Leonardo Dicaprio's Restorative Island: Blackadore Caye
From Hollywood to ecotourism, Leonardo Dicaprio presents his new plans for Blackadore Caye, a luxury island in Belize where guests can restore themselves and the environment; It is a millionaire's guilt-free paradise.
Jason DiCaprio commissioned Jason McLennon, architect and founder of the Living Building Challenge, to design an ecological complex of 68 villas on a private island in Belize. DiCaprio is on the board of several non-profit organizations and is well known for his generous contributions to environmental causes and for providing his voice as the narrator of powerful environmental films. He was recently appointed as a United Nations Messenger of Peace by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, who called DiCaprio a "new voice for climate advocacy."
Blackadore Caye is home to the 104-acre project, which will be completed in 2018 by New York developer Delos. The complex will feature an arch of floating suites built on the water and a network of artificial reefs and fish shelters. It will also house a native plant nursery focused on manatee conservation, including replanting mangrove trees and replacing invasive species. It is located just 15 minutes by boat from San Pedro. The project will be closely supervised by a talented team of scientists, designers and engineers who, together with landscape architects, will closely monitor the impact on the island's environment.
DiCaprio, who is currently filming an adventure drama, The Revenant, fell in love with Belize on a diving trip in 2005, and bought Blackadore Caye for $ 1.75 million with Jeff Gram, the owner of Cayo Espanto Island Resort, another vacation spot. luxury in Belize. Gram is expected to bring his experience in owning and operating island resorts to the new company. He says 'Blackadore ... it will be an amazing private island that will set the mark for all future developments on the island.'
DiCaprio told The New York Times, 'The main goal is to do something that will change the world ... I couldn't have gone to Belize and built on an island and done something like that if it weren't for the idea that I could be innovative in the environmental movement. "He loves Belize because of the uniqueness of the country and because it is home to the most biodiverse marine life and the second largest coral reef system in the world.
Blackadore Caye will be packed with all the standard features of a luxury resort, including sprawling villas, infinity pools, and stunning sunset views. The wild and unpopulated island will be transformed by 68 villas and 48 private houses, which will cost between five and 15 million dollars.
Its restorative aspect refers to the healing effect on visitors and on the island itself. Blackadore Caye has suffered years of overfishing, coastal erosion, and mangrove deforestation. This project hopes to restore the island and bring it a new life as a luxury destination. Approximately 45% of the island will go to conservation and all new construction will meet the Living Building Challenge standards. The developers hope to have local workers trained in green building techniques. Plastic bottles are strictly prohibited on the island, and once guests place their food on Blackadore Caye, they will go on an eco-orientation program.
Ecotourism has become a booming industry and is responsible for around eight billion tourists a year around the world. Blackadore Caye hopes to advance the notion of sustainability to include restoration. DiCaprio has a bold vision for the island: "With the onset of climate change, there are great challenges, so we want the structure to not only improve and improve the environment, but also to be a model for the future. That includes restoring the island. , create conservation areas where we can hold research conferences and regenerate the entire ecosystem back to its original shape and beyond. '
DiCaprio's affair has already riled up some critics. Jan H. Kantz, a professor at the Cornell School of Hotel Management, said: "No hotel can be truly sustainable because you have to fly to get there." Feel that people are buying the status of staying in an exclusive eco-resort. "If you really care about sustainability, instead of increasing your carbon footprint by flying to a remote island and then creating the trash they need to compost, just give money to a conservation program." However, Leonardo DiCaprio disagrees, arguing that visits to Blackadore Caye will help reverse some of the environmental damage the island has already suffered.
