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Billionaire’s 240-foot superyacht with underwater lounge wins four prestigious design awards
Elandess, owned by Lloyd Dorfman, the founder of Travelex, was recognised at Boat International Design & Innovation Awards
The 244-foot superyacht Elandess, owned by billionaire Lloyd Dorfman, the founder of currency exchange company Travelex, which won four awards at January's Boat International Design & Innovation Awards. Photo: Boat International Media
Elandess is the superyacht that has caught the eye in 2019.
The 244-foot (68-metre) yacht won four awards at January's Boat International Design & Innovation Awards, held in Cortina d'Ampezzo in Italy.
For its class size category, Elandess won best exterior styling, best interior design, best general arrangement and deck design, and best lifestyle feature design.
Abeking & Rasmussen, a prestigious German shipyard, was contracted to carry out the naval architecture and building.
Interior and exterior styling and design work on the boat was done by Harrison Eidsgaard.
Elandess is owned by billionaire Lloyd Dorfman, the founder of currency exchange company Travelex, who has a net worth of about US$1.2 billion.
Dorfman commissioned the work from scratch with Abeking & Rasmussen. This is his third yacht, and his second with Abeking & Rasmussen.
This superyacht replaces the previous Elandess – now called Elypsian – which was sold for US$55 million. Alongside his yachts, Dorfman also owns a US$60 million jet.
The state-of-the-art vessel was first spotted last summer in London. It made its first Atlantic crossing in the autumn, where it was featured at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in Florida.
The sun deck has open seating for up to 14 people on board Elandess. Photo: Boat International Media
To accommodate Dorfman, his family and any additional passengers, the custom-built yacht can house 14 guests across seven cabins.
One of the main requests was for the ship to function as a mobile second home, as opposed to just a mode of transport. The second home has three decks – the top deck features a pool – while interior space allows room for Dorfman's art collection.
Eidsgaard said: “Walking through Elandess, no two spaces feel the same; each area has its own character creating drama and interest at every turn.”
The sub-level Neptune Lounge, offering views above and below the waterline, is one of the defining features of Elandess. Photo: Boat International Media
Despite the top deck's beautiful view, there's even more to be seen below the water level.
Elandess’ sub-waterline Neptune Lounge – reportedly only the second in existence – provides spectacular views to life above and below the waterline.
The windows in the lounge measure nearly 10 feet tall and are 4 inches (10 centimetres) thick; like other aspects of the boat, the idea was inspired by the previous Elandess’ lounge.
The dining room on board the award-winning Elandess. Photo: Boat International Media
Dorfman said his family, including his many grandchildren, tested the ship this summer. “You can't just Google a formula for how to design a yacht for a certain number of people,” he said. “You have to be involved.”
This article originally appeared on Business Insider .