Dogus Group, one of the largest conglomerates in Turkey, has joined Island Global Yachting (IGY) and Nautical Centre Prgin (NCP) as a development partner in the expansion and renovation of the Mandalina Marina & Yacht Club in Sibenik. The agreement was announced during a special signing ceremony attended by executives from each company and the President of the Republic of Croatia, Mr. Stjepan Mesic.
As part of this agreement, Dogus will be both an equity partner and will oversee construction, with its company Dogus Construction, for the project under an IGY-Dogus Development Joint Venture, and as such will be designated as the Design & Build Contractor for the marina enhancement and upland facilities. This project and alliance will include the development of the upland portion of this nautical lifestyle destination – currently slated to encompass a yacht club, residential developments, resort accommodations, world-class shopping, dining and nightlife.
In February 2009, IGY and NCP announced plans to add 65 megayacht berths to the existing 350 wet-slip/50 dry-dock marina, transforming it into the new Mandalina Marina & Yacht Club – Croatia’s first dedicated megayacht marina. The new megayacht facilities will complement NCP’s existing shipyard and charter services companies at the property. Mandalina Marina remains fully-operational during the development and renovation and is already welcoming megayachts for the 2009 Season.
The signature “marina village” at the Mandalina Marina & Yacht Club is currently in the planning stages and will be further developed by Dogus , IGY and NCP over the coming months. The project’s architecture is slated to combine a contemporary Mediterranean style with public open spaces and gardens to provide an attractive setting for a balanced resort development. Buildings will be intertwined with cascading waterways while their juxtaposition will blend to create an architectural statement of visionary design and quality. All the upland elements will be situated topographically to take advantage of the natural elevated land, and, more importantly, to provide ceremonial focal entry points to the development.
“We are pleased to align with the Dogus Group, as we continue the development of the new Mandalina Marina & Yacht Club,” said Andrew Farkas, founder and chairman of IGY. “This agreement creates a very strong partnership comprising the foremost Croatian maritime brand, a leading regional conglomerate with a strong maritime brand in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the world’s premier marina developer and operator. Dogus financial strength, as well as their tremendous expertise in construction and success with projects of a similar nature, make them an ideal partner alongside IGY and NCP in the Mandalina Marina & Yacht Club.”
“We are equally excited about this partnership and the economic benefits that it will bring to our community,” added Goran Prgin, president of NCP Group. “We welcome the Dogus Group to Croatia and look forward to working with them to continue to position Dalmatia as the Mediterranean’s top megayacht destination.”
“The Dogus Group is pleased to enter the Croatian market with such an exciting project and such tremendous partners,” said Ferit Sahenk, chairman of Dogus Group. “We are actively engaged in similar projects in Turkey and are certain that with the involvement of IGY, NCP and Dogus, the new Mandalina Marina & Yacht Club will become a showcase destination for the region.”
The Mandalina Marina & Yacht Club is one of the most complete, full-service nautical destinations in the region and encompasses not only the marina, but the NCP Shipyard with 24-hour assistance and technical services, NCP Charter with more than 60 vessels and the NCP Sailing School. Additionally, the facility offers nearby fueling and on-site grocery for provisioning.
The marina is situated in the scenic coastal town of Sibenik on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. Chosen as the “world’s number one sailing destination” by National Geographic magazine, the site is noted especially for its UNESCO protected cathedral and two national parks – the waterfalls of Krka and the Kornati archipelago.
For more information visit www.igy-mandalina.com