By Gemma Fottles from Superyacht Digest | October Issue 2019
In the notoriously exclusive business of superyachts, Tis marks the largest ever yacht interior that German shipyard Lürssen was able to share with the world. Here we take a rare closer look at the latest 111-metre addition to the global superyacht fleet. The built was showcased at the recent Monaco Yacht Show.
the craftsmen and women that comprise the team of Lürssen are, undeniably, experts in the creation of some of the most complex superyachts in the world. One of the few luxury yacht builders with the capabilities to pull off such a technical feat at their facilities in Bremen, the Lürssen fleet consists of a staggering 20 superyachts exceeding 100 metres in length – topping that list being no other than the longest yacht in the world, the 180-metre Azzam.
Understandably, the vast majority of these projects have been kept fiercely confidential. Though the exterior design is often hard to disguise as a yacht of such size and prestige cruises around the world, interior details are usually particularly secretive, fully enclosed from the eyes of everyone but the lucky few. With the delivery of their latest yacht, the 111-metre Winch-designed Tis, however, all eyes are welcome.
So what’s the reason behind being able to share the yacht in all her glory? Built in close collaboration with an experienced owner and well-seasoned charter client, Tis was built with charter in mind. This not only meant designing a yacht together with Winch Design to cater to the needs and expectations of the world’s most discerning charter clients, as one of the most exciting and, indeed, expensive charter yachts on the market, opening up the doors to Tis‘s exquisite entirety ensures that she bursts onto the charter market like never before – the move of a particularly charter-savvy owner.
“Upon delivery this summer, Tis became one of the largest yachts in the world available for charter”, comments Michael Bremen, Sales Director of Lürssen. “With this in mind, it is in the interest of the client to introduce the yacht to a discerning audience and to show off her beauty. For the shipyard, it is a great and unique opportunity for which we are very grateful”.
The owner’s influence was not confined to optimal charter operation and marketing, however. The owner was involved in every aspect of the construction of the yacht, with the team describing him as an important influence throughout her entire build. Considering the benefits of working with a knowledgeable and highly involved client, Bremen continues: “It is a big help if the client is an experienced yacht owner or yacht charterer. The client knows exactly his or her own needs but also their families’ and guests’ needs.
The client is then normally more involved in the building process, which also helps in making critical decisions along the way”. Measuring 111-metres with a beam of 16.85 metres and an impressive volume of 4,500 GT, Tis is built to PYC classification and accommodates up to 18 guests onboard. For those 18 special guests, there is something unique awaiting on the inside, where the clear synergy between prestigious shipyard, world-renowned design team and experienced owner and management team comes into play.
As with all 100+ metre projects, the interior design is not the only spectacular thing about Tis and features onboard certainly abound. Across her six decks are two helipads, a 12-metre swimming pool on the main deck, a meticulously designed spa and hammam area, an outdoor cinema for cosy nights at sea, and a Parisian Ladurée-inspired tearoom. Performance-wise, she is powered by twin 3,200 kW engines, serving up a comfortable cruising speed of 12 knots and a top speed of 18 knots. An autonomous range of 7,000 nm provides true ocean-going capabilities.
SUPERYACHT SYNERGY – Moran Yacht & Ship acted as project managers from inception to delivery, and were another essential component in the successful design, build and delivery of Tis. Boasting years of experience working with the Lürssen team on several previous superyacht projects, Bremen describes the benefits of working in a tried-and-tested team: “Having a team which has worked several times together is very helpful for such complex new builds like Tis. Each team knows the strong and weak points of the other team, is completely aware of the working processes and knows the relevant people very well. It makes things much easier in the coordination of what is an incredibly complex construction process”. As with any complex new build project, there were challenges. “Large voids in the structure of a ship, such as the aft saloon or the main atrium are always a challenge on a yacht, and we are proud that we have been able to achieve this yet again”, continues Bremen. “The request for high ceilings in the owner’s area and its knock-on effect resulted in a more complex ship structure and more difficult coordination. The whole team is excited that she turned out to be such a graceful yacht that will allow her passengers to enjoy yachting to the fullest in total comfort, luxury and quality”. “Tis undertook her maiden voyage to Gibraltar upon delivery this summer and departed Lürssen’s facilities in mid-June”, Bremen concludes. “We look forward to her cruising the Seven Seas and turning heads wherever she goes for years to come”.
BEHIND THE DESIGN – Inside Tis Winch Design breaks down what exactly will make Tis stand the test of time as one of the world’s most extraordinary 100+ metre superyachts. Her interiors take their inspiration from iconic residences and geographies around the world. They’re inspired by design details and colour schemes which have fixated and impressed for hundreds of years, and the fact that these details have remained for the most part, unchanged throughout history, means that they have already proved themselves to be timeless.
The charm of Tis however, is that while taking inspiration from these briefs, Winch Design has seamlessly integrated contemporary styling and features, updating these inspirations and ultimately rendering her interiors light and fresh, yet wonderfully opulent. Her exterior is classically elegant, her lime-washed oak and navy colour scheme is head-turning, yet classical: she has an undisputedly timeless silhouette.
SPA – Another beautiful and unique feature onboard is the spa, which is situated on the Bridge Deck. It features a playful citrus theme, taking inspiration from the island of Capri. The Lemon Grove is a dedicated relaxation feature, with a honey onyx vanity and mosaic floor. Throughout the spa, the stone floors have been hand-chipped to give a soft, aged feel. Jasmine notes in the artwork alongside a jasmine scent throughout creates a true sensory experience. Additionally, each day head on board Tis is unique, acting as a little jewellery box on each floor.
GUEST CABINS – Another stand out feature are the eight guest cabins, each representing a different geographic destination or iconic residence around the world. Each has an entirely unique identity, and every single element has been carefully crafted to enjoy an astounding level of coherence within their individual themes, with the most minute of details linking each of the spaces. The eight cabins are themed as follows: Provence, China Seas, Marrakesh, Russian Dacha, Tuscan Olive, Claridges, Deco and Paris.
BEACH CLUB – One exterior highlight is the beach club, which is a transitional space between the exterior and interior, a luxurious and relaxing halfway house. Lime-washed oak panels give the space a bright feel and a huge bar complete with matching bar stools, dining table and sofas make it clear that this is an area to relax in and have fun. Teak flooring helps bridge the inside and outside spaces, but a custom pattern in the teak that bursts towards the exterior like a firecracker removes any hint of the industrial. Through a side door to starboard is a sauna, ice fountain and shower, which leads out onto a foldout swim platform, the perfect place to relax at water level. Throughout, the artwork of Capri and rope patterns and swirls make the spaces a cohesive unit, alongside a sea theme of light blue and warm neutral tones. Two large hinged doors open out onto the aft platform, again with a custom teak pattern to give a touch of flair, amid the elegant sweeping stairs, with unique faux painted mahogany details ensuring Tis stands out stylishly when moored stern-to.
POOL – Lemons in a mosaic pattern at the bottom of the pool link the exterior to the interior theme. This space is primarily for lounging and relaxing, with plenty of integrated sunbeds and built-in seating around the bar. Tis features all the toys you’d expect to find on one of the most well-appointed yachts in the world; helicopter operations can take place from two locations, with the bow strengthened for occasional take off and landings, but when not in use, this deck also doubles as both a dance floor and an outdoor cinema, with removable outdoor furniture.
TEA-ROOM – The upper deck is home to perhaps the most unexpected room on board: a Parisian Ladurée-inspired tearoom, enjoying prime position forward. This unique space is a feminine tribute to this elegant pastime, with traditional tones of pastel greens, pinks and creams. A couple of Louis XVI inspired sofas and armchairs link to the trims on the curtains and tiebacks via scatter cushions, all in the pastel colours traditional of the famous French paTisserie. A skylight allows plenty of light in, while the views across the bow are spectacular.
PALATIAL STAIRCASES – The elegant sweeping Calacatta marble staircase with ornate brushed steel and 23.8-carat Gold handrail creates an impressive first sight for guests and sets the tone for the rest of this palatial yacht.
Rising through five decks, it gives a view from the guest accommodation on the lower deck all the way to the upper deck’s painted ceiling. Suspended above the lobby are the hanging balconies of the upper decks, allowing for the visually stunning impact of a quadruple height ceiling, a very rare feature on a yacht.
A lift shell inspired by Le Bristol in Paris with its own ornate sofa inside completes this space. As you ascend the spiralling staircase to each floor you are greeted by a repeated bespoke designed marble marquetry motif on the floor beneath your feet.
