What more suitable name for a white yacht with a color scheme including white than, well, White? She’s the 163’4” (49.8-meter) that started construction at Heesen Yachts as Project Ayla. She celebrated her christening on February 8 and then made her first appearance in the water outside the shipyard’s sheds.
Also referred to previously by her hull number, YN 18250, the megayacht is part of Heesen’s 50-meter aluminum series. As such, she is a semi-displacement cruiser, meant for a top speed of 23 knots. In addition, she should see a 3,100-nautical-mile range at 12 knots, powered by MTUs.
The owners of White acquired her about a year into construction. While that means they preserved all of Omega Architects’ styling elements, they did tailor the interior. They worked with Cristiano Gatto Design to incorporate the above-mentioned white as well as a range of similarly neutral colors. These include caramel and cream, even brown. Heesen had originally tapped the design studio for Project Ayla, and Gatto’s initial concept was for a relatively minimalist look.
Don’t confuse “minimalist” with “plain,” however. Hermès fabrics cover alfresco furnishings, while Loro Piana fabrics feature prominently inside. Speaking of prominent, a multi-use coffee table in one room might very well become a topic of conversation. Made of high-gloss ebony, leather, and stainless steel, it has partitions in its top suitable for using as an ice bucket. Alternately, the partitions can hold leather trays, for a different decorative effect. Another functional and decorative effect: bookshelves built into sofa armrests (all custom, naturally). White features all of this against a backdrop of high-gloss ebony as well as walnut paneling.
With a full-beam (29’5”, or 9-meter) master suite and a full-beam VIP amid the five guest staterooms, White is wrapping up final touches. Delivery is set for April.
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