When people ask about the progress of the ELLE Resort & Beach Club, a common question is about permits and approvals. And it makes sense — for many Australian investors, the Bali development landscape can feel unfamiliar, and phrases like “PBG submission” can sound foreign.

What many don’t realise is that this early approvals stage is actually one of the most critical phases of the entire development journey. When it’s done properly, it lays the foundation for the project’s safety, structural integrity, long-term value and future operational success.

Just as in Australia, Bali follows a structured pathway of planning, feasibility, engineering assessments and regulatory compliance before any construction is permitted. The ELLE Resort & Beach Club is advancing through this stage with the support of one of the strongest consultant teams in Asia, alongside Colliers International, who are overseeing the development program, timelines and coordination across all parties.

Inside the Early Development Phase of ELLE Resort & Beach Club: How World-Class Resorts Are Engineered From the Ground Up

Before any construction begins on a resort of this scale, an enormous amount of work takes place behind the scenes.

For ELLE Resort & Beach Club in Seminyak, this preparatory phase is where the long-term value, safety and performance of the entire project are established.

Many investors hear terms like feasibility, design coordination or PBG submission and assume they’re simply administrative tasks. In reality, these steps form the backbone of a globally engineered, future-proof development.

Early Planning & Feasibility: Establishing the Vision and Viability

Every major development begins with feasibility studies and site assessments — the process that tests whether the land, the concept and the surrounding environment are aligned.

In Seminyak, one of Bali’s most dynamic and complex coastal zones, this phase includes analysis of:

• Zoning and land-use regulations

• Height limits and coastal restrictions

• Environmental and soil conditions

• Setbacks and building boundaries

• Cultural and community considerations

• Long-term regional planning

For the ELLE Resort & Beach Club, this early work created a solid foundation for a resort designed not only to meet regulations, but to perform at a luxury standard for decades.

As Mark Reed explains:

“The planning stage is where the entire project takes shape. Safety, certainty and structure are engineered from the beginning. Nothing at this stage is improvised.”

Assembling the Expert Team Behind the ELLE Resort

Once feasibility is confirmed, the next step is bringing together the technical specialists who will shape the resort.

A development of this scale is never designed by one architect — it is created through a network of experts working in coordinated precision.

The consultant team includes:

• Architects

• Structural Engineers

• MEP Engineers (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire safety)

• Landscape Architects

• Interior Designers

• Geotechnical Engineers

• PBG (permit) Consultants

Oversight of this multi-disciplinary team is led by Colliers International, who manage timelines, track deliverables, align consultant outputs and ensure every component progresses seamlessly toward PBG submission.

Their role is mission-critical.

Without this coordination, disciplines can drift out of alignment — which leads to delays, redesign costs and approval setbacks. Colliers ensures the entire process remains structured, compliant and cohesive.

From Ground Conditions to Guest Experience: Engineering That Starts Below the Surface

One of the most important early steps is understanding the land itself.

Geotechnical surveys examine:

• Soil structure and layering

• Sand composition

• Depth of the water table

• Ground stability

• Load-bearing capacity

In Seminyak’s coastal zones — where sandy soils and higher water tables are typical — this information is essential to designing safe, enduring foundations.

Geotechnical data influences far more than structural engineering. It shapes:

• Material selections

• Corrosion prevention systems

• Waterproofing strategies

• Long-term maintenance planning

How the building performs over its lifetime

At the same time, the operational flow of the hotel is being designed.

The guest experience at a luxury resort is built on what visitors don’t see:

• Back-of-house logistics

• Kitchen and service routes

• Laundry and housekeeping flow

• Waste management pathways

• Staff circulation and support spaces

These systems must be integrated early because they directly influence architectural layouts, corridor placement, wall positioning and lift locations.

As Reed notes:

“This is the most future-focused part of the journey. When you design for longevity, profitability and sustainability, you are protecting the investment long before construction begins.”

Coordinated Design Development: Aligning Every Drawing, System & Detail

After the ground and operational requirements are clear, the architects and engineers begin developing detailed coordinated drawings, including:

• Architectural layouts

• Structural systems

• Mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering

• Fire and life safety systems

• Water and waste management

• Landscape integration

Colliers ensures all documentation is aligned — the structural beams meet the architectural grid, mechanical ducts fit above ceilings, drainage follows the natural site slope, and every system functions cohesively.

This alignment makes construction more efficient and strengthens the PBG submission, which is the formal approval required before building can commence.

Preparing the PBG Submission: The Official Gateway to Construction

The PBG package brings together every technical, environmental and structural component of the project. This includes:

• Architectural drawings

• Structural engineering

• Geotechnical data

• MEP and fire safety systems

• Environmental and drainage plans

• Compliance documentation

The PBG consultant ensures all documents meet regulatory standards and accurately reflect Indonesian building requirements. Their industry knowledge helps streamline the process and anticipate common approval issues.

Timeline Toward PBG Submission

Based on industry best practice and the strategic development path for ELLE Resort & Beach Club, the timeline is structured as follows:

Q3–Q4 2025

• Design development begins

• Geotechnical surveys completed

• Cross-discipline coordination underway

Q1–Q2 2026

• Full architectural, structural and MEP coordination

• Fire safety and life systems finalised

• Operational planning reviewed

Q2 2026

• PBG submission filed with authorities

During this time, site preparations progress in parallel.

For ELLE Resort & Beach Club, demolition and ground clearing are scheduled to be completed prior to PBG submission — ensuring construction can begin immediately upon approval.

After the PBG is lodged, the project enters the contractor tender phase. Qualified builders review documentation, submit pricing proposals and plan construction logistics. This means that once approval is granted, building can begin without delay.

Permit Ready, Investor Ready: Engineering a Resort That Lasts for Decades

Permits and approvals are far more than bureaucratic steps.

They reflect the integrity, intelligence and discipline of a project.

When done correctly, they create:

• A safe and durable structure

• A streamlined construction program

• Strong operational performance

• Long-term value and investment stability

For the ELLE Resort & Beach Club, this phase is where the resort’s future is protected.

It is where compliance is achieved, safety is engineered and the guest experience is architected from the inside out.

Most importantly, it is where the foundations — literal and strategic — are laid for a resort designed to perform at international standards for generations.

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