Grand Canyon development proposals cause controversy
Two projects in and around the Grand Canyon – the famous US landmark that welcomed nearly 4.6 million visitors in 2013 – are raising concerns about how much more development the attraction can withstand.
The first project, led by the Italian company called Stilo Development Group, is proposing 140 acres of commercial development, approximately 2,700 housing units, a spa, a working ranch that accepts guests, water park and a cultural centre in Tusayan. This project, called The Tusayan General Plan 2024, was approved by the local council in April to capitalise on its location as the main gateway to the canyon’s southern rim, according to Travel Weekly.
The second project, Grand Canyon Escalade is being managed by Confluence Partners – a company formed specifically to oversee the plan. Set to be located on a reservation that borders the eastern edge of the Grand Canyon National Park, owned by the Navajo tribe, the venture includes a tram from the canyon rim to a location near the Colorado River, an elevated walkway at the bottom of the canyon, a discovery centre, lease sites for hotels and other retail parties.
A group of Navajos has formed an opposition movement against the Escalade project called Save the Confluence (referring to the confluence of Little Colorado and Colorado rivers). The group claims the project endangers the east rim’s fragile ecosystem and that none of the project’s anticipated revenue will be used to help residents.
The superintendent of the Grand Canyon National Park, Dave Uberuaga, said both projects pose different threats to the canyon. The Tusayan General Plan will be developed on a site with limited water supply that local wildlife rely upon. The Escalade project concerns Uberuaga because over-capitalisation on the popularity of the Grand Canyon will damage the landmark.
“There’s only one Grand Canyon in the whole world, and every increment of change and development takes away from that experience,” said Uberuaga.
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Designing an eco hotel for the Galapagos Islands that allowed the stunning natural surroundings to take centre stage while minimising its impact on the land presented its own unique set of challenges, Ecuadorian architect Humberto Plaza tells Kathryn Hudson