MIAMI (August 18, 2011) – The name “Scrub Island” may sound rough around the edges, but this exclusive private island resort, spa, and marina in the British Virgin Islands, is as posh as they come, thanks to OBM International (OBMI), one of the world’s leading global architecture and master planning firms. OBMI-designed Scrub Island has reached a significant milestone with the completion of Phase 1 of the resort, announced today Doug Kulig, CEO of OBMI.

Scrub Island will be the first Marriott-flagged destination in the British Virgin Islands and the first resort in the Caribbean to join Marriott’s Autograph Collection, a new brand within the company’s global portfolio of elite luxury: independent hotels with distinctive personalities in major cities and desired destinations worldwide. The resort will officially become part of the Team Retreats Special Collection within the Autograph Collection in early 2012.

Recognized for its expertise in architectural design and master planning of resort destinations around the globe, OBMI master planned Scrub Island as a 230-acre mixed-use resort community, where the old charms of the Caribbean lifestyle meet the new pleasures of the modern world.

Phase I of the development is centered around a Marina Village and Welcome Center. Serving as the heart and soul of the development, Scrub Island’s Marina Village boasts a 60-slip marina, over 5,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, and 67 Marina Village hotel rooms and suites. The resort is also comprised of 11 two-bedroom Ocean Villas, each with private pool, keyed as additional hotel inventory.

Prior to development, Scrub Island was untouched terrain, allowing OBMI the unique opportunity to work with a blank slate. This placed immense responsibility on OBMI for creating a master plan that delivered an exotic island paradise, while upholding a high level of respect for the Virgin Island’s context, culture, and climate.