UPDATE, APRIL 11, 2023: A family of cruisers has acquired Project Akira. Her delivery is still on target for 2024. “It is a very exciting time for our shipyard as YN 20457 Project Akira is the first in a new class of yachts,” says Mark Cavendish, the CCO for Heesen. “We look forward to working with the owners and their family to build a yacht that will provide many days of happy sailing and create long-lasting memories.”
Read on for our original article.
When summer turns to fall, welders at Heesen will lay the aluminum keel of Project Akira, a spec build. Projected for delivery in 2024, the megayacht will become the shipyard’s 13th yacht currently under construction.
Heesen’s longtime design partner, Omega Architects, is responsible for the styling. As the first hull in the 5700 Aluminum Class, the 186-footer (56.7-meter) shows off sharp angles aft from the waterline to the top deck. Frank Laupman, Omega’s founder, penned them to resemble a leaping animal. The hull, meanwhile, is the Fast Displacement Hull Form from Van Oossanen Naval Architects. Therefore, anticipate a swift top speed for her size, 22 knots, coming from twin MTU engines producing about 3,400 hp each. Additionally, anticipate being able to access shallow anchorages, thanks to a draft of 7’5” (2.3 meters).
While Heesen anticipates selling Project Akira before completion, it partnered with Harrison Eidsgaard for a broadly appealing layout and mood to entice buyers. Since the designers suggest an abundance of loose, custom furnishings, plenty of personal touches can be incorporated. Furthermore, the high-gloss sycamore, metallic mesh, and more materials serve as a contemporary, light-reflecting backdrop to accentuate the indoor-outdoor ambience. The studio is blending in dark pewter accents, stainless steel finishes, and other metallic surfaces, too.
You’ll find these from the upper-deck lounge to the four guest staterooms and beach club below. Project Akira also has a bridge-deck VIP and 678-square-foot (63-square-meter) main-deck owners’ suite.
Arthur Brouwer, Heesen’s CEO, believes Project Akira holds strong appeal. “Akira is the only 57-meter, all-aluminum fast motoryacht with a Northern European pedigree available for delivery in spring 2024,” he asserts.
Heesen Yachts heesenyachts.com
Harrison Eidsgaard he.design
Omega Architects omega-architects.com
Van Oossanen oossanen.nl
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