The homeowners' association of Four Seasons Resort Nevis filed a lawsuit against Nevis Peak Holdings, the company that owns the complex and is linked to Cascade, Bill Gates's family office, in Delaware Court of Chancery. The action was brought by villa owners within the resort located on the island of Nevis and seeks over USD 100 million for the alleged loss of value of the properties.
The association, which represents 66 owners of 89 residences, attributed the deterioration to sustained lack of investment, maintenance and reconstruction. The plaintiffs cited non-functioning golf carts, pools with missing tiles, obsolete or non-functional gym equipment and debris scattered across golf course areas. A central point of the claim is the condition of the pro shop and gym, destroyed by a fire in October 2022, which almost four years later have not been rebuilt.
The association stated that when it enquired who would cover the reconstruction, it was told that Nevis Peak Holdings did not have fire insurance for that part of the complex, which would mean the total cost of the work would fall on the owners. The owners also questioned electrical equipment purchased second-hand and older than the resort, which opened in 1991. The association indicated that since 2013 it has paid over USD 20 million in management and membership fees for work that was never completed.
The plaintiffs stated in the court filing that the company "completely failed in its obligations to the detriment of the use and enjoyment of the resort and the value of the properties for sale and rental". An assessment attributed to Four Seasons concluded that the complex needs over USD 65 million in work, of which over USD 20 million would correspond to rebuilding what was lost in the fire and renovating the spa.
A spokesman for Cascade Asset Management Company rejected the accusations. The firm stated it plans to defend itself "vigorously" against the allegations, which it considers "completely without merit". The lawsuit is directed against Nevis Peak Holdings and not against Bill Gates personally. The case remains at an early stage in Delaware, where the association is seeking a court order compelling the execution of the claimed repairs or, failing that, compensation for the loss of value of the properties.
