Heesen - Gemini
Coveted for their powerful aesthetic and chic European design, Heesen is a world-leading Dutch shipyard that builds superyachts from 50-80m known for their exceptional performance, technology and high-quality craftsmanship. Despite the challenges of 2020, the yacht builder’s 1000-strong workforce begin the year with 14 yachts under construction and are set to deliver no fewer than six new superyachts in 2021. With 28% of the world’s superyachts owned by Americans, it’s no surprise that the US is Heesen’s first market. Ever since the shipyard’s American debut in 1988 with Octopussy built for New York billionaire John Staluppi – the fastest yacht in the world at that time – its reputation has preceded itself. Interestingly, data shows that North Americans specifically like Dutch superyachts, with 44% of their new yachts being bought and built in The Netherlands. Enter Project Gemini, the newest in Heesen’s 55m Steel Class – due for delivery in October 2022.
Exuding sophistication, Gemini’s exteriors were penned by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects. Her profile is clean and crisp, with characteristic floor-to-ceiling windows providing uninterrupted views that flood the interior with natural light, offering the choice of panoramic vista after panoramic vista. As with her sisterships, Pollux and Castor, a distinctive ‘shark tooth’ design detail in the wheelhouse overhang makes her instantly recognisable, while masculine lines and a bank of vertical windows enhance her vertical shape. Designed for performance and power, Gemini has a Fast Displacement Hull Form which provides up to 30% more efficiency than a yacht in the same class. Powered by two MTU 8V 4000 M63 engines, she will reach a top speed of 15.5 knots with a range of 4,500 nautical miles at 13 knots.
Her spacious volume of 760GT provides a generous canvas for her stunning interiors. Refined materials have been championed in this paired back and sophisticated interior by Italian designer Luca Dini. A geometric design language threads through the yacht creating clearly defined areas. Warm, full gloss, tay wood, mirrors, decorated glass and natural stones are matched with marine leather wall panels and doors and fabric-lined ceilings. Accents of metal, marble and glass are used to give the light and airy interior composition and focus. All views lead to the horizon, celebrated by of floor-to-ceiling windows and large reflective surfaces throughout.
There is no better place to experience this than the full beam sky lounge, which offers a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor. A delicious palette of lightly toasted almond and warm chocolate make this luxurious space the perfect place to unwind. A pair of Minotti bronze glass topped coffee tables create space, while a silk cream rug underfoot gives warmth to this zen interior. A trio of leather clad Giorgetti bar stools invite guests to take a seat, sip on an aperitif and drink in Gemini’s beauty and their surroundings.
At the heart of the design is the owner’s stateroom, an 82-squaremetre retreat on the main deck. Here, amber mirrored panels, geometric lighting strips and a free standing lamp by Viabizzuno draw together to create an atmospheric escape. Pierre Frey cotton and linen curtains effortlessly drape next to an expanse of windows port and starboard. A linear design philosophy carves out separate and defined areas, from the vanity unit, to relaxation chairs and a sprawling king sized bed. Elsewhere, ten guests are accommodated across five staterooms, all with stunning marble en-suite facilities. Additionally the beach club offers access to a wellness area, and a sun deck for soaking up the best of yachting life.
Beautiful Gemini is a semi-custom build, built on speculation, allowing for a much faster delivery time. However, considering itself as a team of ‘dream-builders’ Heesen’s other speciality is full-custom projects, started from the ground upwards based on the vision of an owner. One such project, and in stark visual contrast to Gemini, is Heesen’s most powerful venture to date, Project Skyfall. At 59m and made entirely of aluminium with a Fast Displacement Hull, she is designed for speed and will reach a phenomenal 37 knots. Her thunder will come from an astonishing 22,000 horsepower that feeds four water jets that will drive her 900GT volume through the ocean. Exuding power and speed in every single detail of her striking profile, highlighted by an aggressive black and red paint scheme, the exterior design is by Dutch designers Omega Architects. Developed to accommodate the owner’s passions, a sport fishing cockpit is located at the stern for deep sea adventures and pursuits or rare game fish. Now under construction, her build process will take approximately three years and she is planned for delivery in Spring 2023.