The Royalton Resorts Group was interested in constructing a new 450-room resort in the north-western part of St Lucia, at a location where the existing beach was narrow and could not comfortably accommodate the projected number of guests. Smith Warner International Ltd (SWI) carried out the beach enhancement study which included understanding the natural coastal processes through detailed numerical modelling and designing a suitable beach concept to enhance the beach experience at the resort. The client then appended the agreement to contract Coastal & Marine Design- Build (CoastalMDB) to carry out the construction.

The final design option was assessed under a typical swell event and showed that the structure reduced swell waves incident on the shoreline by roughly 60%. This concept also reduced beach erosion by as much as 40% and reduced the landward run-up in the 1 in 50-year storm event.
The impermeable spur groynes used to hold sand nourishment and create a dry beach area would also serve to prevent silt and debris from the drain and along the cliffs from reaching the site. The structures are also expected to provide new habitat for the flora and fauna within the area.
The construction was carried out over several months following environmental approvals from the DCA, St. Lucia. The construction involved the use of large boulders to form a submerged reef-type structure and two impermeable groynes. The groynes were made to be impermeable to steer drainage discharge away from the beach. The beach sand was imported from Guyana and placed on the beach following construction of the protective structures. Turbidity barriers were used to control sedimentation. The timeline of the project had to be compressed to facilitate the imminent opening of the resort.