Turkish builder Dunya Yachts has signed a letter of intent to build a 100 metre superyacht called Project Blade.
“We signed the letter of intent with Sedat Ergun at Dunya,” says Mark Duncan at YPI. The brokerage house made the announcement of the new build during the Monaco Yacht Show this weekend.
In a bit of history repeating, YPI sold the 73 metre Dunya superyacht Red Square (re-named Axioma) during the Monaco Yacht Show in 2013.
Project Blade will be built to an exterior design by UK-based yacht designer Ken Freivokh. While she is being called “the new look Axioma” on the initial renderings, she is not simply a re-imagining of Dunya’s first successful superyacht.
At nearly 30 metres larger than her predecessor, Project Blade’s hull, superstructure, engineering and construction package is completely custom. She will measure in at 4,500 GT as compared to Axioma’s 1,500 GT. Project Blade is being built to PYC.
Whereas Axioma had a rather traditional exterior styling with innovative interior styling – such as her grand, two-storey atrium style saloon – Project Blade will stand out with a very modern exterior styling
“The concept and styling are quite unconventional,” says designer Ken Freivokh, “making full use of latest glass technology and structural developments to provide large, uncluttered openings and panoramic views from all key areas.”
The new build will incorporate a number of innovative design and construction techniques, notably utilising glass as a large part of the overall structures in the transom and the bulkheads.
What is being carried over from Axioma is her successful charter credentials. According to YPI, charter yacht Axioma generated more than $7 million in charters in her first year on the charter market, and Axioma has proven popular with celebrities.
The successful charter elements found on Axioma are being incorporated into Project Blade. “The owners are adamant they want the new yacht to be even more successful for repeat charters,” says Mark Duncan.
Like Axioma, Blade will boast an aft infinity swimming pool as a design focal point. The pool is visible in the dedicated beach club below, which includes a massage room, sauna, steam room, his and hers changing rooms and medical ward.
Project Blade will feature a few dual purpose rooms. The massive tender garage, for instance, which will house a 14 metre self-contained powerboat, a 10.5 metre limousine [tender], a crew tender and half a dozen jet skis is actually a multi-purpose room that can double as a night club or party venue. Likewise, the yacht’s high-tech cinema can convert to a private saloon.
But Project Blade isn’t only designed for play. She will offer ample office facilities, including a conference table, library and IT room, for the owner or charterer who needs to conduct business while at sea.
As for the owner’s accommodations, says Ken Freivokh, “ The owner enjoys the use of a private deck, with an aft facing separate private office and lounge opening to a private terrace, and a full beam forward facing stateroom with amazing panoramic views.”