Prospect Reef RFP Set for December
The government will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) in December for the long-planned redevelopment of Prospect Reef Resort, Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley announced during his Budget Address. The project aims to deliver a four-star-or-higher hotel with at least 150 rooms and conference facilities, creating jobs and business opportunities for BVI residents.
The Virgin Islands government will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) in December for the redevelopment of the long-dormant Prospect Reef Resort, Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley disclosed during his Budget Address at the Twelfth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on Thursday, November 6, 2025. "The Board has submitted recommendations for bidders, with Requests for Proposal to be issued in December," Premier Wheatley said, framing the move as part of a broader push to strengthen tourism linkages and boost economic activity through cultural events, museum workshops, restoration projects and festivals that support national identity.
The government envisions a four-star or higher-rated hotel, offering "at least 150 rooms and modern conference facilities capable of hosting up to three hundred delegates and offering exceptional service and amenities catering to leisure and business travellers," a standard the Premier first outlined during his 2nd Annual Territorial Address at Maria’s by the Sea on May 20, 2025.
Officials previously said they sought firms able to develop, finance and operate the resort for a minimum of 50 years. Prospect Reef has been in government ownership since 2005, when it was purchased for $6 million. Plans to redevelop the property have repeatedly stalled; the facility was already in decline before being further damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
If the procurement and selection process proceed on schedule, the RFP in December would mark a concrete step toward restarting redevelopment work that the Premier indicated last month could begin in 2026. The administration is presenting the project as a strategic investment to grow the tourism sector, create employment and expand opportunities for local suppliers and service providers.
For BVI residents, the project could mean new construction jobs, longer-term hospitality positions, increased demand for local food and transport services and more conference-related business for restaurants and tour operators. The government has emphasised the importance of linking such infrastructure upgrades with cultural programming to ensure economic benefits support the Territory’s national identity and local entrepreneurs.
Details on the RFP process, selection timeline and bidder shortlist are expected to be released when the formal Request for Proposal is published in December. The government will likely outline evaluation criteria, community engagement plans and any local participation requirements as the project moves forward.
Primary source: VINO