Dart’s property empire spreads to Brac
Le Soleil D’Or (CLICK TO ENLARGE)
(CNS): Following mounting speculation that a Dart-owned company had acquired the boutique nine-room resort, Le Soleil D’Or, on Cayman Brac, Dart Real Estate Business Development President Jackie Doak confirmed the purchase Thursday, and said the developer intends to restore the resort to full operations and retain the current staff. While it appears that Dart has purchased the main resort building, the previous owner still has a number of other properties on the island, including farmland on the Bluff, and it is not clear if those have also been sold.
Le Soleil D’Or, which has been partially closed for over a year, is not the Dart group’s first property acquisition on Cayman Brac but one of its most high profile and adds to its growing property empire across all three islands.
In a press release posted on the company’s website following the announcement at the Chamber Legislative Luncheon, CEO Mark VanDevelde said the proposed purchase would be a natural expansion of the organisation’s growing hospitality portfolio.
Le Soleil D’Or (photo courtesy Dart Enterprises, CLICK TO ENLARGE)
“The nine-room resort, Le Soleil d’Or, has an outstanding international reputation which complements our existing hospitality portfolio,” he said. “Dart’s intent is to restore this luxury property to full operations to enhance Cayman Brac’s tourism product and directly benefit the local economy. This planned investment demonstrates Dart’s confidence in the strength and resilience of the Cayman Islands economy.”
Cayman Brac and Little Cayman District Commissioner Ernie Scott, who met with Dart during the purchase, said local officials were optimistic about Dart’s plan to invest in Cayman Brac.
“On behalf of the people of Cayman Brac we welcome the arrival of the Dart Group to Cayman Brac. We recognise the partnership opportunities that we discussed in our recent meeting and the positive outlook this means for Cayman Brac,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Alexander Hotel, which closed in June 2014, and the Divi Tiara Beach Resort, which closed in September 2006, remain in disrepair and covered with weeds. The Cayman Brac Beach Resort is the only hotel currently operating on the island. (See photos below. CLICK TO ENLARGE)
CNS Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Mirjana Mirjanic was forced to sell the resort, Le Soleil D’Or. CNS has been informed that not only is this not true but that the property was not held in her name. CNS apologises to Ms Mirjanic for any injury or embarrassment this may have caused.
It’s great that Dart is bring tourism to Cayman Brac, but it’s also sad that the only real estate he is purchasing any property from is Island Realty which is also owned by Moses Kirkconnell! And how is it that Island Realty is boasting about selling this property on FB to Dart but they never publicly listed the property on any of their marketing platforms. How is it that Island Realty always gets the listings that government want to purchase? Hmmmm if there’s smoke, there’s always fire!
All for tourism in Cayman Brac, but the favoritism has got to end!
What happens when MR Dart passes on ? does he have any immediate family in Cayman ? who will run the massive operation ?
Never mind that comment , my bad lol .He has three daughters and wife . Should have checked google Before asking these questions . He does look kind of older than the age they say . As for the daughters I am single and would like to rebuild Barbuda .
The people that run it now – his employees. Dart does not run Dart the corporation, his employees do.
Go DART go!
So, Mr. Dart obviously has a plan to turn the place into something that will make money. Hope he buys out Divi Tiara and the Alexander – as both of them are truly eye sores for locals and tourists to see.
As for cruise tourism in Brac – really
When the Soleil d’ Or is run right, it does generate jobs for some Brackers. Not as many as we’d like, but something beats nothing. The Soleil and its associated properties really are nice, hope Dart restores their former glory. Oh, and maybe he can use his leverage to help clean up the eyesore known as the Cayman Brac dump- which the Soleil’s clients have to see as they drive by…
Two Brackers at peak, wasn’t it? Whole lot of poorly-paid Philipinos. Agree that the place has the potential to employ many Caymanians, and has the potential to positively contribute to the local economy. People need to be paid a living wage.
Yep 5:10PM – when you got people from third-world countries who are willing to work half way around the world for minimum wage – do you really think any employer would hire Brackers! The Filipinos would not be here if locals did not hire them, end of story.
Ummm, except it was an expat, not a local, that hired them.
There are some qualified Brackers who have jobs, and there are quite a few unqualified Brackers who just take the government welfare jobs. Brackers do not get the better jobs because they are not properly prepared at home or at school. Sad but true.
Increase the Minimum Wage to $10 then Caymanians will work.
Ha Ha. Surely you jest.
People need to show up for work to get paid!!!
People should have to show up and work to get paid, but on the Brac some don’t bother to show up for weeks at a time and keep getting paid, check some of the Govt
Departments on the Brac
Philipinoes that come have never sat on car( they ride the buses) get their driver license and a car in a few months and build their houses back home in about 2 years, the wages are very good for them, ask them they will say the wages on Cayman is. Is very good, but they don’t like the place an will go back home when they retire married to Caymanians or not.
Hello 1 13. Filiponos and other workers cannot stay. Ever heard of roll over?
Sure. Like Dart wants to “clean up” Trashmore — by moving it to “lined pits” in Bodden Town. Research lined pits and see how frequently and quickly they fail and leech all manner of contaminants into the soil — and this in a residential area with a huge water lens. Madness.
Where should Dart move the Brac dump? In a pit on top of the bluff? Oh that has already been brought up. Lined pits. Madness.
We need to start taking care of our own problems and not buying into the Dart Godhood. He is building an empire here and everywhere. He has chosen the Cayman Islands as his home, so he probably won’t destroy our economy. But…. Is he really one of us? Does he have the best interests of the people in mind, or is he just playing “build my personal paradise?”
uhmm whats the garbage dump doing now…BUT leeching contaminants into the soil. Do you think when you post?
As if the Dump is not in a residential area now. It is in the prime area, and it is unlined. You are doomed with your Dump, current and future. Because you confuse progress with self-destruction. Frankly, you all deserve it with your sheep mentality. LGBT concerns you more than the Dump. Your jobs are more important to you than your children’s health and future. You lost your sanity.
Dart tried to take over other Countries. Think Argentina, Alden: http://fortune.com/2016/03/17/argentina-debt-settlement-2/
Why is this Country being sold piece by piece to become ‘The Camana Islands’?
– pockets won’t be lined then, there will be no need to anymore once it is Dart’s Country.
We have done it to ourselves; otherwise stolid people can be coerced to sell family property when offered huge sums. In this case, Miss Mirjana may have not been the listed property owner or seller, but somebody sold to her “people”. It doesn’t matter who any more.
Thanks mostly to Mac, Dart has spread throughout all three islands, purchasing the gems of each; gems in some cases which were traditional gathering/family places, from which the people of these islands will systematically be excluded.
I would be sad but not a bit surprised to one day find that the public beach on the Brac was closed because Dart bought it. At least our beautiful seas are not for sale (so far); we can still enjoy them.
Most caymanians are to naive to understand the problem they allowed in.
Cayman Brac, the island of two halves. Black at one end and white(ish) the other, Where schools are kept open to continue the segregation,
You surely don’t know the Brac a bit if you see it in those terms. the Brac is what GC used to be — an amalgam of people who somehow manage to mostly get along toward their mutual benefit.
159 am. We are surprised that you term Cayman Brac as east being black and west being whitish??? Why do you say this? Cayman Brac has had lots of brain drain from all families moving to GC to get jobs. In a small place of 1,000 or less persons, this is hardly a town. We understand families moving over to GC for jobs.
Cayman Brac is not black or white. We do not think in these terms. We get along with each other and feel that as Christians our attitude is that we rise above race, socio economics, education or what ever else it is that you see that makes divisions between people. We are all different and love our neighbors.
So “The Congo” is no longer a thing?
You must live in a different Cayman Brac than the one I know!
3 36????
Who the hell do you think you are making fun of Bracers calling us a charity case?
Remember you live on GC with your 60,000 strong island with your crime and crowded streets.
We live on a small 12 mile strip with 1,000 natives and about 1,000 Jamaicans working for us. The up side of our island is a lack of traffic jams. Bet you wish you could say this.
I am sure you have no charity cases over on GC? Can you hear our sarcasm in our question?
Get over your superior attitudes in thinking GC is perfection.
A big portion of the so called “natives” are Hondurans. Maybe Bay Islanders, but Hondurans nonetheless.
Dart is world class!!! Buy up all of Cayman Brac and change it from being stuck in 1932 to the 21st Century!
Thank you Dart!! People will talk but they secretly love you and Caymana Bay and Kimpton and all the other nice renovations that say DART!!!
Cayman Brac needs help so move on over there and please get involved!!!
Your crap-stirring narrative has gotten quite old. You should find a new hobby.
Sounds like you drink the “Dart Kool-aaid” daily. Most likely out of Styrofoam cups!
I cannot see the issue with a caymanian investigating in his/our country. This can only be good news for the brac. Stop with the Dart hating.
If it wasn’t for Dart you would either not be here or eating pap breakfast lunch and dinner.
We were here before Dart and had our pride intact.
I don’t need him for anything, and neither do you. Still, you are free to worship at his feet if that is your desire.
Good news that the resort and farm will be returned to full operations and especially good if measures are put in place to increase the number of Caymanian employees. I am well aware that the Brac is in desperate need of new investment and employment opportunities. This is also a reminder that it would be timely to implement legislation to curb the potential excesses of those in a monopolistic position (beyond the utility companies). This concern applies to all monopolies and is not exclusive to Dart, though it is noteworthy that the very same abundance of financial and other resources that support the Dart organization’s solid reputation also give the organization the option to enforce their monopoly in various local industry sectors if they so choose. All developed western democracies have legislation to regulate monopolies. Lets take action before it is too late.
Hooo Boy! LONG gone. WAY too late for that now. You people been sleeping through his take over. You’d never know what all he owns now because of the different names of companies that he has used to purchase Grand Cayman.
It is criminal what you have allowed up to now. And those in the position to have prevented this are too stupid and naïve to realize. Or better yet, too greedy and couldn’t resist their share ($$).
You have been going down this rabbit hole for over 10 years. No stopping it now.
Agree that things are far gone, though hurling accusations will be of little help. It is never too late to start to do the right thing. The 6:13 PM post referred to “legislation to curb the potential excesses” of monopolies. That is a “no brainer” in my opinion, nevertheless there are some that will disagree with that even at this stage. Whether it should extend to preventing creation of new monopolies should be a matter for national discussion.
The bull is in the china shop now Bobo
Bracers will have Julie and Moses to thank for this.
Julie, is she the Minister who had government equipment shipped to the Brac to pave people driveways before a previous election? Is that the equipment that can be seen rusty and unusable because it was never returned? Is she now the Education Minister who knows nothing about education?
A stunning allegation. I cannot believe such a thing happened. Had it, our world class civil service operating at the highest levels of integrity would have intervened. The anti corruption commission would have also investigated. Stop spreading nonsense. That kind of untruth is almost as bad as the repeated allegations that some cabinet status grants may have been given based on their choice of realtor.
Love the sarcasm!!
We seem to be descending to the level of so many banana republics around us, although without the bananas.
I think you mean she is the absent Minister of Education as she ignores anyone who knows anything about education.
She is a former teacher !!
And track star.
Now that’s funny!
I was hoping there would be some corner we could live in without the arrogant Dart Royalty looking down on us.
more charity for the brac……the charity-case island…
You do realise that although it is a separate Island, it’s still part of the same country, right?
You realize Cayman is not a country, right?
Tomato
Tomato
You heard my point in your head.
Both fruits, however you pronounce it.
I realize you’re an ass…
Try telling that to Cayman Brac people….
Check see who is in some of the top jobs in GRAND CAYMAN if it aint Brackers. talking of Charity its for the GRAND CAYMANIAN drug heads that have moved over there.
Goverment jobs in Civil Service, Statutory Authorities, Govt Owned Companies, not pay for performance private sector.
You do realize that all the large merchant shops in Geand Cayman are owned by Brackers right…unless you are fly by night which says a lot….
Which real estate agency brokered the deal?
Who owns the real estate company?
What was the commission paid?
Is there any currently elected MLA or Cabinet Minister getting a commission from the sale?
Is this deal a quid pro quo between the god of Cayman Brac and the Emperor of the Cayman Islands?
Things that make you go ummmmmm
The Dart’s have their own real estate company , why should anyone else be allowed a piece of the pie. ?
It wasn’t Dart selling it
Ask Moses K
Dart Realty were not the listing agent selling the property do your homework
You need to be asking the question of whether Government waived the stamp duty..They love to do that on the BRAC. Bet government(us) didn’t get one cent..
dart maybe you can help govt and special needs unit by putting dome them brackets to work …
Great news!
So, why was it the old owner had to sell again?
Stop asking difficult questions. Nothing to see here. Move along.
According to the CNS correction the supposed previous owner did not have to sell, and indeed, did not own it (at least not in her own name)….
This is great news for the Brac. Hopefully it will raise the standard of investors for the Brac. Hopefully they will reopen the beach and bar/restaurant to the public. Thank you Dart.
Thank you Jesus. The witch is gone
You got the Wizard of Oz instead.
Replaced by a worse one.
Are you saying Dart is God?
More like styrofoam is king, should be banned fined.
its like saying ford should be banned for the pollution caused by its cars…..zzzzz
try harder.
Actually…its not like saying that…
Sell him the whole dam islands and just be done with it, you morons!
Halfway there!
Won’t be long now before Big Daddy sells out, most likely happened already. This will be a new headline before year’s end. Soon we’ll all be slaves to this cancer.
Err Dart has owned Big Daddy’s for years… Do you live under a rock?
He talking about that hotel foolishness
Well in that case dart won’t buy it. It’s a stinky ass swamp.
For reals.
Just watch, it will happen. The swamp will be gone in short order following his next Brac acquisition. Coastal Works Licence approved ✅
Pond is dredged and opened up to sea.
Sea wall as per Camana Bay.
Alexander hotel renowed/raised.
My crystal ball is getting foggy now but still seeing signs that Coral Isle and the plaza across the road will be assimilated too.
10:49. It will be great if the pond is dredged and a Marina is put in. This vendetta and hate toward Cleveland Dilbert is crazy. Why the hate? I hope the Brac can get going by professionals like Dart!!! Business needs to move ahead and the old toxic Brac crowd that prevented things need to sit back and get out of the way. Things need to happen and business needs to happen on the Brac too. Go Dart!!!
10 49….
Did you mean razed and reowned in regard to the now locked up Alexander Hotel.
Camana Bay is built in a stinky ass swamp with the Dump next to it….
So was/is Camana Bay and the international school, and much of Grand Cayman so your point is?
No point actually that you could understand…
Numbnut!
1:21pm – Are we sure he hasn’t already? For some reason I thought he had…
Only place I shop for booze now is Jacques Scott.
How has Jacques Scott contributed over the years?Tell us please it should’nt take more than a short sentence.
Dart owns a stake in that too.
Old news, now time for a snooze, zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Please take it over so we can save the 20million each year it takes to keep the lights on over there
Woe is the fool that complains about the amount of work and money it will take to patch a leak in his own ship.
Woe to any fool.
God is good.
God or Dart? Or can we no longer tell the difference?
We can see Dart.
One is real
Dart is good.
God is good! What does that mean and what is your evidence (a) for existence and (b) being good.
My evidence is the bible written 400 years after the “event”.