****** re-building progression

[Anna]

I'm starting a new thread for up-dates on the rebuilding of the damages from the ****** fire. Anyone with input - go ahead!

[bfenberg]

Thanks so much Anna for starting this thread. I have been patiently waiting for it. Hopefully, travelers, locals, and friends will post!!!

Thanks!!!

[kirbyfan]

12 days until we arrive, i suppose its too much for it to be back up and running by then....

[klmont]

Last I hears, the yellow tape had been removed and they started clearing it out to begin the rebuilding process. This is an e-mail that I received from Paula, my wedding coordinator at the ******:
(1/29/06)
"The areas affected by the fire were Chill out lounge and the bar. The hotel did not suffer damages at all, it has been operating 100%.

Yesterday the Government authorized us to clean and start rebuilding everything. The insurance company is supporting us a lot because we want to reopen at night in about 2 weeks and be built up again in 4 weeks. The Chill Out lounge is receiving a lot of attention because it will be the first place to rebuild. The kitchen as well as the dance floor were not damaged by the fire.


The ****** will be fully operating before your wedding date.(April 2006)."

Any updates or pictures would be greatly appreciated during the rebuilding process!

Originally Posted by bfenberg

Thanks so much Anna for starting this thread. I have been patiently waiting for it. Hopefully, travelers, locals, and friends will post!!!

Thanks!!!

[bfenberg]

Yes! Yes! Yes! Pics of progress would be an excellent contribution to the discussion board.

When ever I come to Playa (this March will be my 21st time to visit since way back in 1985), I always come with a preconceived picture of what to expect. Each year has brought incredible changes, most of which I have welcomed. Thankfully, Playa has still managed to hold on to a feeling that makes one think that "time has been lost" - despite how times have indeed changed.

The ******, especially the dragon bar, is a place which, irrespective of upkeeps, remodelings, expansions, etc., has always preserved the mystery of "time lost." I even remember with the "chill-out" bar had a painted mural with the likes of Bob Marley, Jimmy Hendrix, and other oldtime rockers.

Other bars in Playa that have included "swings at the bar" are mere copies of the ORIGINAL. I hope that by mid-March, I can "swing" again.

[Davev]

Originally Posted by bfenberg

I even remember with the "chill-out" bar had a painted mural with the likes of Bob Marley, Jimmy Hendrix, and other oldtime rockers.

What became of that mural, did they cover it, trash it, or actually paint over it.......?

[voyagerb12]

Has there been any progress in rebuilding El Pirata? Are they open?

[bfenberg]

The last time I saw the mural was before the construction of the DJ booth that sits in the corner. At that time, the mural had been "covered" by a wall that had been built. I think this was back in the mid- to-late nineties when that part of the bar was actually a restaurant. I want to say that the last time the mural saw the light of day (for us to see) was in the early- to-mid nineties. If they didn't tear the mural down when they built the DJ booth, it's certainly gone now ... turned to dust, so to speak.

[PlayaFriend]

I walked through there today.
El Pirata is open with a few umbrella tables and lounge chairs, I noticed one server I assume they are only serving drinks. The atmosphere would not be the relaxing enviroment of waves and reggae music. They are clearing, building, hammering and all the noise associated with that
As for the ******, hmmm Im not expert on how long it takes to build stuff, but they will be starting from scratch. They have the area boarded off now, but Im not sure how comfortable I would be if I knew my wedding was going to be there in a few weeks?

[NoAngelx]

LOL I hear that!! Mine is there on April 10th 2006.... I'm just hoping for a speedy rebuild!!

[Yom Kavootnik]

Originally Posted by NoAngelx

LOL I hear that!! Mine is there on April 10th 2006.... I'm just hoping for a speedy rebuild!!

The ****** reopened with two DJ's and dance areas--beach and lounge--on Saturday night. I was at Ladies Night last night and it ROCKED til 4! The main bar is being rebuilt and is blocked off with a wooden wall, but everything else looks great. People actually seemed to really like the "open air" concept with the star-filled sky for cover.

Yom

[vike57]

Thats great to hear.Heard so much about the ******'s party life on the forum.Heading down for our first trip to playa Sunday the 12th.Glad to hear they are trying to get going again.

[EHarper]

There was a wedding on the beach in front of the ****** Condos last Monday. I'm assuming it was all part of ******. There was food going around and drinks too.

[blondyinnh]

Looking forward to still getting to the ****** in April since we've never been. So no chance of ever seeing firedancers there again???????? I think I know the answer

[ryberg]

A possibly odd thread over on the TripAdvisor forum has a number of posters (including 2 making their first post ever) proclaiming that the BP has been open and in full swing since last Saturday... Anybody been there at night, recently? When I walked by earlier today, well it didn't look like there would be much happening, except that the dance floor was still there and they had what looked like a DJ set-up on a small raised platform near the end that lets out to the street.

Steve