As the world’s appetite for even larger superyachts continues to grow, Feadship has unveiled its largest concept design to date. 377-foot Hive, as the name suggests, is the Dutch shipyard’s refreshing take on luxury vessels that break the mold, they reject convention, regular layouts, and they are centered around the life of a family of four. First to go out the window was the typical wedding cake deck style; next went the conventional idea of what a yacht’s main salon should look like. What followed was an inherently refreshing take on life aboard a luxury vessel and the coming together of a family. The highlight is the impossible-to-ignore four-deck atrium.
At first glance, it looks like an opera house, but it is actually modeled on the 1930s Parisian cultural salons where artists, thinkers, and intellectuals gathered for open-ended exchange. It encourages a similar sharing of ideas, feelings, and opinions amongst families and friends, fulfilling one of the key purposes of spending time together in serene isolation away from the world. The space can double as a full-scale auditorium, stage, or lecture hall. The attention to detail here is exceptional, as the atrium comes equipped with a green room, service pantries, and hidden storage.
Kudos to the team of designers from Studio De Voogt, led by Senior Designer Jan Schaffers, together with Feadship’s naval architects and engineering specialists, for showing that steel hulls, aluminum superstructures, ample glass, and robust materials can create something with tremendous soul. Look closer and the Hive superyacht concept actually appears like a portal, a floating void between the interior and exterior spaces that seamlessly blends the two, occasionally leaving guests wondering where they actually are. Case in point, the dining area that seats 24.
It is beautifully juxtaposed with a cluster of spherical pendant lights above and enormous glazed openings with the sea visible just behind the table. Similarly, a circular, glass-enclosed library opening directly onto a private garden diminishes the distinction between being indoors or outdoors.
Moving upward from these communal focal points, the owner’s private sanctuary deserves all the accolades found in the yachting gospel. It is one of the most futuristic-looking primary suites ever seen on a yacht, complete with a 20-meter pool equipped with Feadship’s patented ContraWave technology. The pool extends inside as a suspended, glass-bottomed infinity pool. The underwater lounge provides an expansive view below the surface, while the observation lounge above features a retractable glass roof for uninterrupted views of the night sky, as shared by SuperYacht Times.
The fusion of spaces and experiences continue with additions like a bustling two-story beach lounge. Beneath its striking architecture, the 6,750 GT yacht is a powerhouse of energy-conscious engineering. Hive superyacht concept utilizes Voith Schneider Propellers, which provide omnidirectional thrust without conventional rudders, and has a top speed of 16 knots. But her true technical triumph lies in her energy storage; compared to Feadship’s groundbreaking Savannah and its 1 MWh battery installation, this 377-footer boasts five times the capacity with a massive 5 MWh battery.
After giving world icons like Savannah and Breakthrough, Feadship has raised the bar yet again with something even more spectacular. At this year’s Monaco Yacht Show, Feadship is offering a glimpse into the next generation of yachting. Now, all that is needed is another maverick with billions in the bank to make Hive’s honey mix with the sea.
