BRONX TIMES REPORTER, A BTR PRIL 12-18, 2019 19
The concept of a development of a hotel space with living pods on Rat Island would make
use of an existing canal already dug through the bedrock of the island. Canoes and small
vessels could pull right up to the island, and those aboard could nearly step into one of the
pods. Photo courtesy of Pablo Jendretzki
Rat Is. tourist getaway concept
BY PATRICK ROCCHIO
A rather unique concept, still in
the early planning stage, calls for a
hotel made out of several small pods
that could house individuals for short
and long stays on Rat Island, a 2.5 acre
patch of land (at high tide) off the coast
of City Island that is accessible only by
boat.
Rat Island, located approximately a
quarter mile from City Island’s north
shore, made headlines in 2011 when it
was purchased by Alex Schibli, who is
now teaming up with design consultant
Pablo Jendretzki after the designer saw
the rocky patch of land’s potential for an
urban getaway.
The designer said that he was intrigued
by the idea of drawing up plans
for lodgings on the island, currently a
blank slate.
“To a designer it is like a white piece
of paper with incredible potential for
great design,” said Jendretzki.
Jendretzki developed an idea that
calls for the use of pods, essentially
small rooms that would be made of
wood and concrete, that would be fabricated
off site and then assembled on the
island, as hotel space.
The pods would be more resilient in
severe weather than one larger building,
said Jendretzki.
According to the designer’s vision,
several pods, about 300 to 500 square
feet each, would dot one side of the island,
and a dock would be constructed
to handle larger boats.
An existing canal would be utilized
for people travelling to the island by canoe
or small boat, added the designer.
The canal would allow these visitors
to step off from their craft and virtually
into their own room for a stay, he said.
“For me, it is important that it would
be completely self-sustainable,” said
Schibli, adding that the theoretical
design looked interesting when Jendretzki
proposed it.
Schibli himself envisions structures
that are built on stilts or that fl oat along
with tides, and possibly a solar powered
water taxi that could be a self-driving
vehicle to ferry visitors to and from the
island, said the owner.
This interesting project would leave
the island as close as possible to nature
and build on the ‘better’ side of
the island that has less exposure to
nor’easters, said the owner.
Reverse osmosis systems would collect
rainwater and convert it to freshwater
for the island, said Schibli.
The proposed resort would have its
own self-contained compost system
and sewer-related apparatus, said Jendretzki,
and would power itself using
solar energy.
Jendretzki believes that the idea has
marketing potential.
“I think part of the interest that
visitors may have is it is beautiful and
isolated,” said the designer, adding he
could imagine a writer, for example,
spending a month there to craft an important
piece or individuals learning
how to spend a few days using nothing
but what nature provided.
The designer believes that the project,
already near another tourist destination
– City Island – would give a boost
in promotion of the borough.
“We do think that it may be a good
thing for the Bronx because it is going
to activate and generate interest and
tourism,” said the designer.
A concept to develop a hotel on Rat Island, a tiny 2.5 acre private island off the coast of City
Island and near Orchard Beach, calls for installation of several pods for sustainable living
as well as a dock for boats. Photo courtesy of Pablo Jendretzki