Construction at Moon Gate Hotel & Spa marked a milestone this month. Also, find out how we are building with Hurricane Resistant materials. Enjoy a round-up of the delectable delights of Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week. Plus how an Antiguan mother and daughter are preparing to be the Caribbean's first astronauts
Enjoy the full read – in Issue 20 of our Moon Gate newsletter.
No matter where we live or where we visit, all across our world people talk about the weather at some time or other. The Caribbean is no exception.
Being blessed with tropical landscapes and beautiful beaches is only part of the recipe for an idyllic tropical setting. It’s the weather – atmospheric and oceanic conditions – which provides the perfect tropical environment to compliment the stunning geographical beauty of our islands.
Yet even in the balmy latitudes of the Caribbean, every year we face the reality of the Atlantic hurricane season. We at Moon Gate believe it is vitally important to acknowledge this reality.
From the moment the Moon Gate project was conceived the developers have demanded that only world-class hurricane resistant materials and standards of construction be used.
One critical component of our hurricane-resistant construction strategy is the installation of the unique roof-tiling technology. These specialist concrete tiles were developed by IMCP Ltd., a local Antiguan company.
They are manufactured to the demanding Miami/Dade High Velocity Hurricane Zone code. The strictest specifications in the USA. In addition, the carbon footprint of all our roof tiling is vastly reduced because they are produced in Antigua.
It’s been another busy month at the Moon Gate construction site. Work is fast progressing on the first four of the seven guests buildings. The roof rafters on building one have been put in place marking a significant milestone.
This is where we are to date:
- Building One: 4th-floor block work has been completed, and columns, lintels and beams cast. The inner ring beam form work is up and roof construction is well advanced.
- Building Two: Forming up of the 3rd-floor slab is completed and reinforcing steel is now being placed to allow casting of 3rd-floor slab, walkways, landings and stairs.
- Building Four: Form work on lintels and building facade on the 2nd floor continue.
From casual roadside ‘cookshops’ to Michelin-starred fine dining, Antigua boasts a plethora of enchanting eateries offering a wide range of local and international food. The country’s cuisine came under the spotlight during Antigua & Barbuda Restaurant Week aimed at whetting the appetites of foodies from far and wide.
More than 30 restaurants islandwide participated in the event by offering special prix fixe menus.
A handful of celebrity chefs also jetted in for the occasion to meet with their local counterparts, try their hand at whipping up Antiguan dishes and inspire culinary arts students hoping to follow in their footsteps.
They included Antiguan-born Claude Lewis, the 2018 winner of the Food Network’s ‘Chopped’ contest who now runs a successful restaurant in New Jersey, and Tanya Holland, who founded California’s multi award-winning Brown Sugar Kitchen.
Many of us will have dreamed of what it might be like to visit space. For one Antiguan mother, that lofty ambition is to become a reality. In July, Keisha Schahaff and daughter Ana will become the very first astronauts from the Caribbean.
