The project: Frenchman’s Reef Resort, the largest resort on St. Thomas, required a full-scale reconstruction following devastating damage from hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. IMEG provided comprehensive engineering services for the complete redevelopment of the resort, which had undergone ownership changes and pandemic-related delays before reopening in 2024. The project involved extensive renovations to public areas and guestrooms, along with site-wide infrastructure improvements across multiple buildings.

The goal: The primary objective was to reimagine and rebuild Frenchman’s Reef into a world-class, resilient resort destination. This included upgrading all core systems to modern standards, enhancing guest amenities, and reinforcing infrastructure to withstand future environmental challenges—all while aligning
with the new ownership’s vision for luxury, functionality, and sustainability.

Project amenities: The rebuilt resort features fully renovated guestrooms and public spaces across several buildings. New amenities include:

  • Expanded food and beverage venues
  • Enlarged amenity areas
  • Upgraded mechanical, electrical, and technology systems
  • Modernized back-of-house and utility infrastructure
  • Site-wide enhancements to water, wastewater, and irrigation systems

Design approach: IMEG’s engineering design approach focused on modernization, resilience, and seamless integration of infrastructure with the resort’s elevated aesthetic. Systems were designed to support the updated program and interior vision, while improving operational efficiency and environmental performance. The scope included central utilities, power generation, wastewater treatment, and civil infrastructure coordination.

Challenge: One significant challenge was the need to design for future resilience without compromising luxury and guest comfort. Solution: IMEG fully designed the Harborside building as a FEMA-compliant safe room capable of withstanding 195-mph winds, complete with dedicated mechanical systems and a standalone central plant—though ultimately not constructed.
Other key solutions included:

  • A 2.4 MW cogeneration plant using propane-fired microturbines with heat recovery
  • A new wastewater treatment facility and sanitary lift station renovations
  • Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) integration with potable and waste systems
  • Greywater irrigation infrastructure serving both Frenchman’s Reef and neighboring Frenchman’s Cove Resort

Project outcome: The rebuilt Frenchman’s Reef Resort reemerges as a premier Caribbean destination, setting a new standard for luxury, sustainability, and resiliency. IMEG’s engineering solutions played a critical role in enabling the transformation of this historic property, helping to ensure operational reliability and guest satisfaction for years to come.