AW² AGENCY PRESENTS: THE OCEAN HOUSE AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL RESIDENCES, GRAND CAYMAN (Cayman Islands)
AW² architecture & interiors, led by partner architects Reda Amalou and Stéphanie Ledoux, designs the first Caribbean new construction residential offering managed by Mandarin Oriental.
AW² brings indoor-outdoor design to grand cayman’s most exclusive luxury residences
Melkonian Capital Management and RAL Companies have unveiled the Ocean House, an exclusive residential offering at Mandarin Oriental Residences, Grand Cayman.
Nestled in a private enclave, this collection of ultra-luxury residences redefines sophistication, seamlessly blending world-class amenities, impeccable service, and refined architecture.
Designed by acclaimed Paris-based architecture studio AW² architecture & interiors, led by partner architects Reda Amalou and Stephanie Ledoux, Ocean House encompasses 22 exquisitely crafted two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences, each a testament to refined elegance and timeless design.
Scheduled for completion in 2028, Mandarin Oriental Grand Cayman marks the brand’s first new-construction 91-key resort (Beach Club Hotel & Ocean House Residences) in the Caribbean and is set to deliver an unparalleled level of luxury.
A contemporary approach of tropical caribbean architecture
Perched atop a dramatic ocean cliff, the Ocean House Residences will offer unmatched privacy with a sleek, curvaceous façade and private wraparound terraces that beautifully blend indoor and outdoor living.
This exclusive collection of residences includes a private Ocean House Residents Club with a club room, ocean-view infinity pool, and access to the hotel amenities at Mandarin Oriental, Grand Cayman.
Entering the property, a porte-cochère leads to the double-height lobby and concierge area, finished with natural materials, including oak millwork and limestone flooring.
The finishes of the residences reflect the caliber of a private home commission, pairing limestone flooring with oak millwork and stone, marble, and brass detailing.
The exhibition kitchens feature best-in-class appliances and hand-crafted cabinetry with a fluted oak upper cabinet design, while primary baths showcase luminous limestone finishes and ocean-view oversized soaking tubs.
A design balancing privacy and openness
The Ocean House Residences were imagined as a belvedere. A balcony towards the sea. Its form gives the façade a natural line, wrapped around the living spaces. Tropical Caribbean architecture is organized to protect the facades from the rain and sun, and to create vast outdoor living spaces. The wide terraces act exactly in this way, but in a contemporary way where the interior spaces are integrated into the terraces.
Every residence faces the sea view. AW² has provided expansive glass and has opened the views from each part of the apartment. This allows for a complete open façade while maintaining a very high degree of privacy for each resident.
The angles and curves of the façade enable to control the views while maintaining privacy. The materials were chosen to reflect the colours of the site. Bright colours were excluded for the facades. The bronze and champagne colours blend into the greens of the nature around. For the interiors, natural and refined materials were used to keep the continuity of nature throughout.
Creating a unique connection with the site
The Ocean House Residences showcase indoor and outdoor living with sweeping ocean views, expansive private terraces, and elegantly appointed interiors. Residents will enjoy access to the legendary service of Mandarin Oriental featuring concierge services in tandem with an extensive collection of award-winning wellness, culinary, and recreational amenities. The property features an ocean view spa and fitness center, private infinity pools, diving and various marine activities, and multiple oceanfront dining concepts.
Overall, the development offers 822 sqm (2,700 feet) of ocean frontage including a 300 sqm (1,000-feet) secluded crescent beach, 27 hectares (68 acres) of lush tropical landscape, and unobstructed panoramic views from one of the highest natural elevations on Grand Cayman Island, 10 meters (35 feet) above sea level.
Ryan Melkonian Founder & Managing Partner, Melkonian Capital Management
“We are dedicated to creating world-class residential experiences by collaborating with the finest designers and architects. Ocean House exemplifies this vision, offering residents a seamless blend of innovative architecture, bespoke interiors, and Mandarin Oriental’s renowned service. This exceptional collection of homes sets a new benchmark for oceanfront living in the Caribbean.”
Spencer Levine President, RAL Companies
“With the Ocean House, we set out to create a rarefied residential experience that captures the essence of ultra-luxury living, blending privacy, sophistication, and exceptional design. By collaborating with AW2, we’ve ensured that every aspect of these residences—from the grand entryway to the panoramic oceanfront terraces— gives a sense of refined elegance that resonates with today’s most discerning buyers.” Francesco Cefalù Chief Development Officer, Mandarin Oriental
“The Ocean House collection at Mandarin Oriental Residences, Grand Cayman embodies our commitment to exceptional design and rich heritage of craftsmanship. With a striking architectural presence, bespoke interiors, and seamless indoor-outdoor living, each fully furnished residence offers an elevated, turn-key experience. This is more than a home—it’s a true resort destination that redefines oceanfront living in Grand Cayman.”
Reda Amalou & Stéphanie LedouxPartner architects, AW² architecture & interiors
‘‘Every detail of Ocean House was designed to create a seamless harmony between the natural landscape and refined luxury. The curves and expansive terraces, as well as the use of organic materials, reflect our vision of blending contemporary elegance with the breathtaking surroundings of Grand Cayman, creating a sense of harmony throughout the lived experience of the Ocean House.’’
AboutMelkonian Capital Management
Melkonian Capital Management (“MCM”) is a New York City-based SECregistered investment management firm with a 30+ year successful track record of scaling and developing world-class businesses and real estate projects. MCM’s objective is to generate superior risk-adjusted returns for its investors over the long term while maintaining its reputation as a good corporate citizen. MCM utilizes a bottom-up, research-driven investment approach targeting well vetted investment ideas to assemble a concentrated portfolio of high-conviction holdings across real estate and private equity.
AboutRAL Companies
RAL Companies is an award-winning full-service real estate development firm with a 40+ year history of developing complex, high-profile projects nationally and internationally. Operating as both principal owner/developer and owner’s representative, RAL’s experience spans residential, commercial, mixed-use, planned communities, resorts, hospitality, and other property types. While utilizing advanced processes and technologies, RAL prioritizes the experience, ingenuity, passion and leadership of its multi-generational team to create assets with enduring value. Trophy properties, such Zero Irving, have been recognized for excellence in development by the Urban Land Institute.
AboutMandarin Oriental
Mandarin Oriental is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. Renowned for creating outstanding properties, each destination reflects the Group’s dual Asian heritage, local culture and unique design. Driven by a passion for the exceptional, every day, everywhere, the Group’s mission is to craft time enriching experiences that transform the ordinary to the exceptional and guests to fans through its legendary service. The Group now operates 41 hotels, 12 residences and 26 exceptional homes in 26 countries and territories with many more projects under development. Mandarin Oriental continues to drive its reputation as an innovative leader in luxury hospitality, delivering sustainable growth over the long term.
About AW2
AW² is an international architecture and interior design studio led by partner architects Reda Amalou and Stéphanie Ledoux. For over 25 years, Reda Amalou and Stéphanie Ledoux have both played active roles in the company and are personally involved in the architectural design of all projects, from the scale of the architecture down to the furniture. AW² is present in Paris, Montpellier, Geneva, and in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
With projects in 40 different countries, the studio has accumulated a wealth of experience that is internationally recognised for the quality of the projects. Luxury hotels and high-end interiors now form a major part of their portfolio. AW² has also successfully completed other types of programme, such as schools, private residences, offices, facilities, and wine cellars in the Champagne region.
The studio has received several awards over the years including the Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Award and King Salman Charter for Architecture and Urbanism Award for Banyan Tree AlUla, the FD100 Award for Six Senses CransMontana, nomination for MIPIM Best Hospitality Project for Banyan Tree AlUla, the MIPIM Best Hotel Award for the Six Senses Con Dao resort, the Build Architecture Award for Best International Architecture & Design Studio – Paris, and four nominations for the AFEX Grand Prize in French Overseas Architecture for Six Senses Con Dao in Vietnam, the Lycée Français in Amman, Jordan, Ani Sri Lanka & Art Academy in Sri Lanka and Kasiiya Papagayo eco-lodge in Costa Rica.
Our approach
Our approach to design is more an open working process rather than a strict theoretical or stylistic framework by which we abide. For us, architecture is more a question of method than style. The basis of this approach is first and foremost an ‘open’ approach to the project, founded on the notions of idea and context.
AW² designs projects in the most eco-responsible way possible, minimising the use of fossil fuels and favouring the use of local products and resources, with a view to achieving internationally recognised certification wherever possible.
The studio’s work can be articulated around four key steps:
1. Intelligence of place, or understanding the site in all its richest characteristics
2. Context feeds the idea, or knowing how to read the cultural, environmental, programmatic and economic context
3. Bio-sourced materials, or using the most immediate resources
4. Architecture as a response, or designing projects that respond to both the problem and the context.
