Italian shipyard Benetti has officially announced the construction of its largest-ever engineering-platform-based yacht, the 85-metre Project Life, which will be built on speculation. Construction is set to commence in September 2025, with an expected delivery in 2030.
“Project Life is the most phenomenal project Burgess has been involved in for many, many years now,” said Peter Brown, senior partner and sales broker, during an exclusive press unveiling. “Benetti approached us a couple of years ago with the idea of building a yacht on speculation with as much mass-market appeal as you can get in the rarefied market that we work in. I think it’s only a matter of time before our owner steps up.”
Project Life was initially introduced as a concept at the Monaco Yacht Show 2023 and was reintroduced at this year’s Palm Beach International Boat Show. The choice to showcase the project at Palm Beach highlights the show’s growing prominence in the yachting calendar. Azimut-Benetti president Federico Ferrante emphasized this by stating, “The Americas is a key strategic market for Benetti. This region continues to show strong admiration for our yachts.”
The design team behind Project Life consists of renowned designers Francois Zuretti and Espen Øino, marking the first collaboration between Benetti and the Norwegian designer. The superyacht is conceptualized with al fresco living at its core, staying true to its name by catering to the real lifestyle of its owners. “We are spending almost all of our waking time [outside] on deck,” explained Øino. “Not all yachts realise that vision. As boats get bigger, it becomes harder because you’re getting further from the water.”
Key Features
One of the standout elements of Project Life is its expansive 270-square-metre beach club, which features fold-out bulwarks and a spacious swim platform for direct ocean access. The beach club is further illuminated by natural light streaming through a glass-bottomed swimming pool situated on the main deck.
The yacht’s accommodation includes six luxurious cabins, with the owner’s area comprising a private skylounge, a 98-square-metre suite, and an additional flexible room that can serve as a private office or a “space dedicated to the owner’s passions.”
On the interior, Zuretti has meticulously designed the spaces to optimize natural light, integrating curved lines for an organic and seamless aesthetic. “We tried to soften the boundaries between the interior and exterior – or make them disappear completely,” explained Sebastien Gey, CEO of Zuretti Design. “[We wanted] to have this mood of being inside a cocoon.”
Other notable features include an open-air dining space on the bridge deck aft, equipped with a live cooking setup, and the upper foredeck, which boasts a helipad, Jacuzzi, and comfortable lounging areas.
Sustainability & Innovation
Project Life will be equipped with an optimized hull and a cutting-edge diesel-electric propulsion system capable of running on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). Integrated hybrid solar panels will harness both solar and thermal energy to power the yacht’s tenders, toys, and appliances, reinforcing Benetti’s commitment to sustainable innovation.
Future Prospects
Burgess will act as a key advisor on the technical, operational, and commercial aspects of Project Life. Meanwhile, Benetti continues to solidify its position as a leader in the superyacht market, with 58 projects currently on order or under construction. The Italian yard also recently celebrated the delivery of the 44.1-metre Juno’s 7, the first model in its new “Class” range.
With Project Life, Benetti once again pushes the boundaries of luxury yachting, seamlessly blending innovation, sustainability, and high-end design into a truly groundbreaking vessel.
