Atlantis: 25 Years In The Making

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Phase One included a renovation of the now Beach and Coral Towers. Two years later phase II – the Grand Royal Towers opened. It was an $800 million expansion.

The spectacular Mayan Temple Waterslide complex, six swimming areas and the world’s largest open-air marine environment with 11 million gallons of water and the royal marina to host mega yachts.

In total, a 14-acre waterscape of pools, waterfalls, a lazy river ride and six exhibit lagoons – including an

underwater tunnel in a shark habitat.

Some of the most talented artists in the world helped to create the extraordinary vision.

He build it and they came.

In December of 1998, the Royal Towers opened with the party of the century. Over 60 “A” list artists. Names like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Stephanie Mills, Nathalie Cole and Quincy Jones – to name a few and dignitaries – including an American mogul named Donald Trump – descended on The Bahamas for the party of the century.

For a young 20-something-year-old reporter it was the assignment of a lifetime.

As a part of the two-day live local broadcast, I was able to snag some of the biggest names in the business -Oprah Winfrey, Nathalie Cole, Stephanie Mills, K.C. and the Sunshine Band and Sir Sidney Poitier filed past our cameras for two days.

The royal towers brought with it a 1200 room, $650 million hotel and casino, with museum quality works of art, glass sculptures valued at a million dollars and a rejuvenated gaming environment.

Tourism in The Bahamas was about to undergo the greatest renaissance in decades.