Kempinski Breaks Ground on Its First Turks & Caicos Property on Grace Bay
A new ultra-luxury hotel-residential project signals Kempinski’s Caribbean debut and a major evolution for Grace Bay’s high-end landscape.
Photo: Courtesy of Kempinski
Kempinski Hotels has officially broken ground on its debut Caribbean project—Kempinski Grace Bay—marking one of the most significant new-build luxury developments to land on Turks and Caicos’ marquee beach in over a decade. The late-afternoon ceremony, held on November 17, is the first step in a notable expansion for the 128-year-old European brand.
Set across 11 acres of pristine shoreline, the hotel-residential project brings together Kempinski and long-time development partner JTRE, both of whom have collaborated on major projects in Europe. Their arrival on Grace Bay positions the destination for a fresh wave of high-end investment at a time when demand for long-stay leisure, branded residences, and villas continues to intensify across the Caribbean.
The ceremony drew senior government officials—including Premier Charles Washington Misick and Deputy Governor Anya Williams—emphasizing the local significance of the development. In remarks, Misick framed the project as part of the islands’ evolution: Kempinski’s entrance “brings one of the world’s most distinguished hospitality names to our pristine shores,” he said, pointing to the dual opportunity for tourism growth and long-term residential investment.
Kempinski Grace Bay will comprise 119 private residences and four oceanfront villas, all designed with a low-density footprint and oriented toward open-water views. Early renderings emphasize limestone, timber, and glass, staying true to the broader regional movement toward architecture that recedes into the landscape rather than competing with it. For the brand, the property is positioned as a flagship for the Americas, blending its European heritage with a lighter, more residential Caribbean aesthetic.
Planned amenities speak to the increasingly experience-driven habits shaping upper-tier Caribbean travel: a beach club, multiple dining venues, a European spa, a wine cellar measuring roughly 3,000 square feet, tennis and padel courts, a children’s club, and an ocean-view fitness pavilion. Sustainability measures include insulated glass, solar systems, and native landscaping irrigated with recycled water.
The project also continues Kempinski’s broader development momentum under group CEO Barbara Muckermann, who has leaned into residential-forward models and high-profile resort markets. Construction is expected to run through 2026, with completion slated for 2028. Sales are being led by Christie’s International Real Estate Turks & Caicos and Engel & Völkers Turks & Caicos, with ownership appointments now open.
Kempinski’s entry onto Grace Bay sets the stage for one of the most closely watched openings in the region—both for its impact on the island’s luxury mix and for what it signals about the next chapter of branded residences in the Caribbean.
