Many of us fantasize about buying our own island, but few of us get to bring our dreams to life. Chattanooga developer and president of Associated Island Developers David Harris is one of the few.
Virtually untouched and sporting four miles of exquisite coastline, the 120- acre island Harris recently purchased is an oasis located in Exuma, Bahamas, just a 15-minute boat ride from Exuma's capital, Georgetown, and only a two-hour flight from Atlanta. "You should see the water," says Harris. "It makes the water in Hawaii look like the Tennessee River. It's the clearest turquoise you've ever seen." But Harris doesn't intend to keep this island all to himself-he's turning it into Escape Cay, a self-sustaining luxury vacation destination. Escape Cay will host a private, residential community with 36 waterfront homes and the Macana, a full-service resort on a six acre peninsula with thirteen overwater bungalows and a fine dining restaurant.
"I didn't think I would get to do something like this, and I'm really excited that it's going to happen," says Harris. "It's my dream." An avid scuba diver, Harris has always loved the Bahamas. When he and three friends purchased a private jet together and found they were able to fly nonstop to the islands in about two hours, they started looking at vacation houses.
"Me being a developer, I didn't like any of the houses I saw," Harris says. So he made his own, on his own island to boot. In a year and a half, Harris went from looking for a nice vacation home for his family to purchasing an island nine miles south of an international airport and turning it into a destination. "All these doors started opening," Harris says. "It fell into our lap." Harris' goal with the waterfront homes is to provide an affordable private island experience to prospective buyers. Many of the buyers, he speculates, will be Chattanoogans-some have already expressed interest and Harris has sold two houses so far. As for the resort, Harris hopes to offer all the amenities vacationers would expect on a private island.
In addition to making dreams come true for Harris and his clients, Escape Cay will feature a home where children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation can stay if they so choose. Another home on the island will serve as a vacation
home for soldiers coming out of duty and missionaries returning from service. Harris volunteers his time and the use of his plane to the Make-AWish Foundation, piloting kids around the country to their dream destinations. "That's just a love I have for Make- A-Wish, what it does for the kids," says Harris.
Harris is committed to keeping Escape Cay natural. Only 35 percent of the island will be developed, leaving the expanse between the two ends of the island as a nature preserve, where guests can take in the beauty while strolling along suspended walking bridges or through participating in outdoor activities. Tennis courts, ropes courses, a chapel and pocket destination areas will give guests plenty to do. "We want to maintain the integrity of the island," Harris says.
The island will feature five private beaches and piers for boating and fishing, while a marine biological research facility will open its doors free of charge to college and university research programs. Environmentally friendly plans will keep the island sustainable and keep costs down, with power sourced from solar panels and propane. A reverse osmosis salt water filtration system will also circulate fresh water throughout the resort and homes.
Phase one of construction includes 18 homes on the western end of the island in clusters of six. Each home will be built on a three-quarter- acre lot from the same spectacular plan, designed by local architect Jay Caughman. The one-level homes will house four bedrooms and four and a half baths in 2,650 square feet.
Three of the four bedrooms will have water views, and large sliding glass doors will bring the water view into the living area and kitchen. The waterfront side of the house is lined with patios, including one off each of two master-sized bedrooms. Stucco, Hardiboard trim, and concrete tile roofs will work to ensure that the homes stand up to the elements.
Buyers can have their own designers select furnishings and Harris' team will facilitate shipment and set-up inside the home, or they may select Pottery Barn's complete interior package, designed specifically for Escape Cay homes.
An on-island hospitality management team will also provide concierge service. "We want this to be an all-inclusive experience. Leave your wallet behind in Chattanooga," Harris says. "We'll take care of the rest. It's your paradise. Your dream."
A May 8 rollout event in Harris' private hangar at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport will entice buyers with a model section of a completed home, landscaping set-up, steel drum island band, submarine, kite board instructor and the Mayor of Exuma himself, who will present Harris with the key to the city of Exuma.
"It's crazy. I know it's crazy," Harris says. "It's outside-thebox phenomenal."