It will be the largest residential yacht in the world and by March 2029 it will sail taking its passenger-residents to discover the most fascinating corners of the Earth. It is Ulyssia, a project launched by Frank Binder, a Swiss entrepreneur who has decided to let 250 wealthy passenger-residents travel as if they were in their own seaside villas.
‘We want to offer a unique lifestyle on a residential yacht that travels with a unique community of people on board. We want to connect with local cultures and make a positive impact wherever we go. And, if needed, help local communities and support marine conservation,’ says Binder himself. To realise Ulyssia, Binder set up a company, Ulyssia Residences AG, and brought in a number of experts such as Alain J. Gruber, who can boast experience in such hotel giants as The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and Relais & Châteaux. Ulyssia is a complex project.
It is 320 metres in length, that of a medium-sized container ship, and to realise it Binder turned to the most experienced designer of large yachts: Espen Øino. At the helm of the company that is developing the interior design of all the public areas, as well as the design of some of the 133 residences (with surfaces ranging from 113 to 982 square meters) and 22 suites for possible passenger residents; is an Italian Architect, Francesca Muzio, together with Luca Boldrini (FM Managing Partner) has established FM Architettura, a studio that has more than 150 projects to its credit, ranging from yacht design projects to luxury hoteliers (Mandarin and Shangri-La above all), and residential projects. Francesca Muzio’s task is not only to design the public areas, of this wonderful ship but also to coordinate the work of many esteemed Interior Designers especially selected to develop the design of the residences from Jean Michel Gathy to Sabrina Monteleone, wife of Espen Øino, to Jenan Interiors to Lenny Kravitz.
‘The aim is to ensure that guests feel at home,’ explains Francesca Muzio. ‘The social spaces will be an extension of one’s home. The connection with nature is also important. The pandemic has made us realise how important it is to be surrounded by nature. What I like about this project is to create a new typology of living, because more than 70 per cent of the Earth is covered by water. There is great potential in living without limits on water’. ‘Ulyssia is not simply a yacht,’ Francesca Muzio continues. ‘It is our vision of a new way of experiencing the sea. We wanted to give centrality to the travel experience, moving away from the traditional idea of cruising. The question that guided us at every stage of the project was: for whom are we designing this ship? The answer was never trivial, because our goal was to create something unique, something that had never been seen before. Ulyssia is more than a ship: it is a community, a place to experience the sea with a sense of belonging’.
‘With Ulyssia,’ adds Francesca Muzio, ’we redefined the concept of travelling at sea. We wanted to create a residential experience where you are not just guests, but real protagonists of the adventure. And one of the most fascinating aspects of the project was thinking outside the box. We integrated innovative elements, such as dedicated education areas for families with children, or gathering spaces for professionals who are still active and want to plan long stays without sacrificing their daily lives.
We wanted to break with the patterns of the past and bring a new philosophy to the world of yacht design. Ulyssia represents this paradigm shift. It is a project that makes us immensely proud, because it is not just a ship, it is a new vision of luxury and sea travel.’ An experience that of living on Ulyssia will be to the utmost. ‘Ulyssia’s structure is designed to impress. With 16 decks, a Guggenheim-inspired atrium and customisable residences, we have put guests’ well-being at the centre. Each residence has a private lobby and an exclusive lift, ensuring privacy and comfort. And then there are the amenities: a Chenot Spa, starred restaurants, theatre, educational centre and even a helicopter hangar.’
Added to this are a medical centre, garages for one’s own car, conference rooms, a library, a yacht club, a diving centre and even a gourmet market with produce from the places to be visited. ‘We wanted to bring authenticity on board,’ stresses Francesca Muzio. ‘That’s why we thought of the gourmet market, where guests can discover the typical products of the places visited. And that’s not all. Local chefs will collaborate to offer authentic gastronomic experiences, making food a gateway to cultures’. Linking all the spaces on board Ulyssia is a strong identity element. ‘We wanted to create spaces that represent a constant dialogue with the sea and the sky. A perfect example is the bow area, where we designed a private pool surrounded by an exclusive area that also includes a theatre and an observation lounge. This space is designed to allowing guests to experience the sea as never before.’
‘The aft pool is a distinctive element,’ concludes Francesca Muzio. ‘It is located above the marina and is flanked by a cocktail lounge: a space dedicated to relaxation and socialising. And let’s not forget the indoor pool, which integrates perfectly with the Chenot spa. It is a place where physical and mental wellbeing are put at the centre, with state-of-the-art treatments designed for every need.’ And as far as being avant-garde, Ulyssia will also be environmentally friendly. In fact, Ulyssia will have a hybrid propulsion system with methanol as the primary fuel, and biofuels and diesel as secondary along with batteries and solar panels. In addition, the shipbuilder, Germany’s Meyer Werft, has developed a super-efficient hull and energy recovery and recycling systems. Construction of Ulyssia is scheduled to start by September 2025.
Matteo Zaccagnino & Emilio Martinelli
