Construction of Ocean Reef Islands Residential Community

Two man-made residential islands are being constructed offshore in the prime residential district of Punta Pacifica in central Panama City, Panama. These private islands are being developed by Grupo Los Pueblos for individual home sites and condominiums with unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean. Breakwaters and a marina with over 190 slips are located between the two islands. The islands are perhaps the only artificial islands to be built in the western hemisphere in recent times. The islands are being reclaimed from the Bay of Panama through a design/build contract with equity participation by the contractor. Their construction consists of a rock dike perimeter (bund) backfilled with marine sand and riprap wave protection. The larger, recently constructed La Santa Maria Island has an area of 10.3 hectares (25.5 acres) and was developed first. This island is connected to the mainland by a bridge and also contains the central parking garage for the development. The second island, La Pinta, will have an area of 8.7 hectares (21.5 acres). This paper describes the planning, design, and construction method for the reclamation of the islands. It also presents information about the challenges and solutions for constructing the islands entirely from the sea in an environmentally sensitive area and close to an exclusive residential neighborhood. Six classifications of rock materials were quarried on the mainland 30 kilometers (16 nautical miles) west of the project and barged to the site. This work proceeded around the clock for approximately 18 months. Marine sand was mined around the clock for approximately four months at a concession area approximately 120 kilometers (65 nautical miles) south of the site and delivered at high tide. The sand fill was vibro-compacted and utilities were installed to complete the land reclamation. Over 2.4 million cubic meters (3.1 million cubic yards) of rock and sand fill went into the creation of La Santa Maria Island, and it is estimated that over 2.3 million cubic meters (3 million cubic yards) of rock and sand fill will be required to create the second island and the breakwaters.