LUXURY

Monaco Yacht Show Makes Waves with ULYSSIA: The 320-Metre Residential Yacht Set to Be the Largest and Most Sustainable Ever

Photo: Frédéric NEBINGER / Palais Princier
Monaco, September 2025 — The Monaco Yacht Show 2025 set the stage for one of the most anticipated presentations in maritime innovation: M/Y ULYSSIA, the world’s most exclusive residential yacht community. Envisioned by Swiss entrepreneur Frank Binder, designed by legendary naval architect Espen Øino, and constructed by MEYER YACHTS, ULYSSIA represents a new era in ocean living — where home, travel, and purpose converge aboard a 320-metre (1,050-foot) masterpiece.

Photo: Frédéric NEBINGER / Palais Princier
A Vision Beyond Boundaries
 
Presented to the global yachting community in Monaco, ULYSSIA captivated attendees with its bold vision: a floating residential community comprising 122 luxury residences and 22 guest suites, each combining architectural elegance, advanced sustainability, and five-star service.
 
The project’s philosophy — “your home is the world, and your life knows no boundaries” — resonated deeply with visitors seeking meaningful travel and responsible luxury.
 
Founder and Chairman Frank Binder described ULYSSIA as “travelling the world from the comfort of your home — discovering magnificent destinations while returning to familiarity, to people who know you and anticipate your every need.”
A Swiss Vision on the Global Stage
 
ULYSSIA is being developed by Ulyssia Residences AG, a Swiss-based company founded and chaired by Frank Binder. Switzerland was chosen deliberately as the project’s home and flag state, symbolising neutrality, discretion, and excellence — values long associated with Swiss innovation and global trust.
 
As Binder explained privately during the show, registering under the Swiss flag reflects the project’s identity: a community with international values and global reach, anchored by Swiss precision, safety, and governance standards. The company operates from Monaco and Switzerland, ensuring a blend of maritime expertise and world-class regulatory oversight.
 
An Extraordinary Team of Innovators
 
Behind ULYSSIA stands a team of leaders in design, hospitality, wellness, and expedition travel:
 
Espen Øino, the Monaco-based designer behind over 60 of the world’s most celebrated yachts, leads the exterior design and naval architecture.
 
Francesca Muzio of FM Architettura shapes the interiors — a calm yet sophisticated world of light, texture, and craftsmanship, blending home-like comfort with a sense of connection to nature and the sea.
 
Dr. George Gaitanos, Chief Operating and Scientific Officer at Chenot Group, brings a 1,900-square-metre medical, wellness, and performance facility on board, equipped with full diagnostic technology, spa therapies, and longevity programs.
 
EYOS Expeditions curates bespoke global journeys, from the frozen beauty of Antarctica to immersive cultural explorations in Japan and the South Pacific.
 
VistaJet, the global aviation partner, ensures seamless access for residents with a fleet of private jets connecting the world’s most remote destinations.
Setting New Standards for Community and Care
 
At the show, CEO Alain Gruber emphasised ULYSSIA’s three defining pillars: community, crew, and culture.
 
“We are creating an extraordinary community of residents who are well-travelled, open-minded and passionate about discovery. We are also redefining crew welfare — every crew member, from dishwasher to captain, will have private accommodation and exceptional training. This creates loyalty, consistency and service excellence unlike anything at sea.”
 
Safety and health are equally central to ULYSSIA’s design. COO Renato W. Chizzola revealed that the vessel will feature a fully equipped medical centre, including MRI, dentistry, and emergency care, supported by two helicopters for both leisure and rapid evacuation. The security operation, led by Marine Guard, combines visible and invisible systems to protect from threats by air, sea, or underwater, with team members drawn from former special forces.
Sustainability and Purpose
 
ULYSSIA’s environmental and philanthropic mission sets a new benchmark for responsible luxury. Built by MEYER YACHTS in Germany, the yacht will employ a hybrid propulsion system using methanol, marine gas oil, and biofuels, supported by batteries, solar panels, and advanced energy recovery systems.
 
These technologies aim to make ULYSSIA the most sustainable yacht ever built at delivery. Its operations will reflect a deep commitment to marine conservation, local community support, and cultural preservation through philanthropic initiatives coordinated with global charities.
 
Binder explained that residents are not merely travellers — they are stewards of the planet, able to contribute to environmental and humanitarian projects in the destinations they visit.
 
“Our residents will not just see the world — they will shape it for the better.”
A Floating World of Luxury
 
ULYSSIA offers a universe of world-class amenities:
 
-Seven restaurants and bars, a gourmet market, and a signature wine cellar.
 
-A Chenot wellness and medical facility with spa, pool, and fitness zones.
 
-Sports courts for padel, pickleball, golf simulators, and a 600-metre jogging track.
 
-Art and culinary studios, a theatre, library, and youth education centre.
 
-A marina, dive centre, four luxury tenders, two submersibles, and twin helicopters.
 
Residences, ranging from 110 to 953 square metres (1,184 to 10,258 sq ft), are offered in one- to six-bedroom configurations, each with private terraces and sea views. Buyers can select from FM Architettura’s schemes or other top interior studios, including Jean-Michel Gathy, Sabrina Monte Carlo, Jenan Interiors, and Lenny Kravitz Design.
 
A 2:1 crew-to-resident ratio guarantees impeccable personal service and continuity — a sense of home wherever in the world ULYSSIA sails.
A Milestone Moment
 
The Monaco Yacht Show 2025 marks ULYSSIA’s official global debut, unveiling a concept that merges residential real estate, maritime engineering, and purposeful exploration.
 
Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2025 at MEYER YACHTS in Germany, with delivery planned for 2029.
 

With its scale, craftsmanship, and ambition, ULYSSIA is poised to become the largest and most sustainable residential yacht ever built — a symbol of refined exploration and responsible living.