Already under construction at Heesen’s Oss facility, 50 metre Project Jade is the third yacht in the yard’s new 50-metre semi-displacement series. With her keel laid in December 2021, she is awaiting a new owner to personalise the project and take advantage of the yacht’s spring 2024 delivery.

Dutch builder Heesen has collaborated with Omega Architects’ Frank Laupman for Project Jade’s “curvy and sporty” exterior lines, while Cristiano Gatto Design is in charge of her “modern but cosy interior design”.

Here, the team behind Project Jade reveal what will make her stand out from the crowd when she hits the water in less than two years’ time.

She is the first of her kind

Jade’s sporty lines mean that she will look elegant on the water, but she is also a technical powerhouse. She is the first yacht series measuring below 500GT to also comply with IMO Tier-III regulations and comes with a range of 3,100nm when travelling at an economical speed of 11 knots.

As with many of Heesen’s designs, her impressive top speed (Jade will be able to reach 23 knots) is down to smart naval architecture rather than pure horsepower. “The optimisation of the hull design is 12% more efficient than her predecessor, the Satori series,” explains Heesen’s Chief Commercial Officer Friso Visser. “This was achieved by streamlining the underwater body, keeping the transom depth to a minimum, raising the propellers and reducing the overall draft to just 2.15 metres – so she is perfect for cruising in shallow waters.”

Laupman wanted to make this new Heesen series look distinct. “To support her dynamic character, we curved her bow to point more downwards,” he explains. The way in which her hull and superstructure are integrated was “inspired by the sculptural qualities of the 2013 Heesen yacht Galactica Star”.

“Galactica Star’s iconic rounded arch at the transom was made more square for Jade. Her exterior is more specific, with two curves almost stacked on top and after one another. These lines embrace the exterior space on the aft decks and create a special protective character. It was important that this space was kept open, so it did not increase the gross tonnage,” he adds.

Continuing a legacy

As the third yacht in the series, Jade will mark another milestone in the development of Heesen’s 50m aluminium semi-displacement range. “Something that might not be so obvious about the series is that it is inspired by precious stones,” explains interior designer Gatto. The first unit, Aquamarine, was followed by Sapphire and now, Jade. “Many years have passed since the first of the series. Jade is a step forward, a step taken with the awareness of growth and improvement.”

The meaning behind the name Jade is also subtly reflected in the design. The yacht’s namesake stone inspired bold pops of green throughout, complemented by natural mirrors and tempered glass that mimic the seabed, and earthy materials such as shaded grey leather, white gold-veined marble and cool stainless steel. Ultimately, the end goal is to “deliver to the owner a precious stone,” adds Gatto.

Her design is made to last

Just like her name, Jade shares many similarities with her sisterships, but also a few key differences. “By keeping Jade as close to the original design as possible, we are able to secure good delivery times, and maintain high standards of quality,” says Visser. “We may have started this project a year ago, but we planned for it to continue for at least a decade,” adds Gatto.

To stand the test of time, the previous 50m design was enhanced. “To evolve the design, we started by finding the essence of the initial design, refined it and then enriched it,” says Gatto. The outcome saw Jade designed with features that make better use of the space available.

“In the wheelhouse, we made the windows appear in only three surfaces so that the view is less disturbed,” says Laupman. “The full-height beach club has become one surface that merges into the swim platform once the hatch is down, which affords a raised sunpad and whirlpool on the aft deck,” he adds.

Gatto was able to create a “fresh, modern and contemporary” interior – one that can be changed to suit the future owner’s tastes. “I designed Jade by looking through the eyes of a client,” adds Gatto. “Just like a blank canvas, Jade’s interiors will be coloured in accordance with the owner’s desires, as if she is a melody written just for them.” The customisation options inside Jade include choices of material, colours and loose furniture.

Light is a key feature

A core feature of the interior is the mixture of materials and textured finishes that reflect natural light from the abundant windows. “There is no coldness in this interior like there often is with minimalism,” says Gatto. “The amount of light is thanks to the architectural detail – there is no need for a lot of lamps – and the light and shadow effects in this project are sculptural elements that define the design.”

Jade has been built with an innovative interior layout. “The layout is fascinating,” says Gatto. “The features we put in are what, in my opinion, makes this project a success.” An example of this original layout can be found on the main deck, where the large saloon has almost no divisions between the interior and exterior.

Further inside, guests will come across the China room, a space dedicated to entertaining. “The number of square metres and the volume of this space is enormous,” says Gatto – as is the owner’s suite, which boasts a walk-in dressing room, a feature that is not common for this size of boat. The sundeck, with its Jacuzzi, bar and large seating area, is another key meeting point on board. “With all these spaces, there is a consistent style and rhythm,” adds Gatto. “The first impression for Jade’s future owner should be that she is an environment that has been powerfully designed,” he adds.

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