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Leonardo DiCaprio Wants to Change the World with New Eco-Resort in Belize

It had been known for years that Hollywood superstar and renowned environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio had purchased Blackadore Caye, located about 7.5 miles just west (behind) Ambergris Caye, Belize. Heck! Leonardo has been vacationing incognito at the luxury celebrity resort Cayo Espanto since 2005, but his plans for the island had been unknown until recently.

Today, Belize is buzzing in the Hollywood community (and the world) as the A-List celebrity announced this past week that he is creating a multi-million dollar eco-resort on the 104-acre Blackadore Caye that will push the boundaries of green design, architecture and sustainability. He bought the island for US$1.75 million.

Restorative Hospitality and Leonardo DiCaprio are in the works of creating the world’s most sustainable island resort at Blackadore Caye, Belize. Construction starts this year and upon completion in 2018, Blackadore Caye will be the greenest island resort ever built, and the world’s first ‘Restorative Island’ project designed with sustainable building techniques that restore and regenerate the surrounding ecosystem and reverse the effects of climate change.

Leonardo DiCaprio Want to Change the World with New Eco-Resort in Belize

Rendering of Leonardo DiCaprio’s ‘Restorative Resort’ at Blackadore Caye, Belize

Leonardo DiCaprio Want to Change the World with New Eco-Resort in Belize

Leonardo DiCaprio Want to Change the World with New Eco-Resort in Belize

According to Businesswire.com, Blackadore Caye will feature 68 villas, 48 estate homes and a private clubhouse. Luxurious amenities will be centered on The Blackadore Village, which will be comprised of three world-class restaurants, a spa and wellness center, and the Deepak Chopra Center for Renewal and Anti-Aging. The island’s infrastructure has been designed under a unique conservation framework, developed by top biologists and ecologists who have studied ways to support and preserve the island’s habitat and biodiversity during construction.

WOW! Isn’t that something!?

Leonardo expressed that he immediately fell in love with Belize upon his first visit calling it “Heaven on Earth”. He said that he almost immediately found the opportunity to purchase the island which he will now do his utmost to create an eco-friendly resort on it with the least amount of impact on it.

In fact, Leonardo told the New York Times, that the resort will be designed to restore and reinforce the island by replanting mangrove, replacing invasive species with native species, enhancing soil and habitat and creating additional armature for reef and fish breeding. Additionally, over half of the island has been set aside as a protected wildlife preserve.

Leonardo DiCaprio Want to Change the World with New Eco-Resort in Belize

Leonardo Dicaprio will preserve much of Blackadore Caye as a natural reserve

Unlike other mega-resort projects that have been proposed for Belize in the past, which act to develop on very delicate natural environments, Leonardo’s “Restorative Island” even has Belize’s Prime Minister saying that the country is proud to have been chosen for what will be a highly recognizable and beautiful landmark property.

“We welcome the benefits that come with the development of Blackadore Caye, including the commitment to enhance local employment, the positive international exposure for Belize and the economic impact of a project of this magnitude,” stated Belize’s Prime Minister Dean Barrow.

The island will boast villas over the water, along with artificial reefs to protect marine life. Marine grass will be grown in a nursery to support a manatee conservation area and mangroves will be replanted too. The plans are for the project to also reverse environmental damage from overfishing, deforestation and an eroding coastline. The resort’s villas are expected to go on sale between US$5 to US$15 million.

The focus is to do something that will change the world,” Mr. DiCaprio said. “I couldn’t have gone to Belize and built on an island and done something like this, if it weren’t for the idea it could be groundbreaking in the environmental movement.”

DiCaprio is developing a reputation as an outspoken defender of the natural world. Last year the United Nations appointed him climate change envoy and he is to produce documentaries about the environment for Netflix.

Leonardo DiCaprio Want to Change the World with New Eco-Resort in Belize

Blackadore Caye is located about 7.5 miles west of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize

Leonardo DiCaprio Want to Change the World with New Eco-Resort in Belize

A clear view of Blackadore Caye on board a flight from Corozal Town to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye

Click Here for More News on Ambergris Today Online

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