The project was estimated to take 5-years to complete fully, but the resort was scheduled to reopen in 2011. Plans were later revised to call for 120 one to three bedroom dwellings for "tourism or residential use" and 69 new hotel units. It was revealed that the resort would move away from its eco-friendly orientation, which owner David Dodwell called a mistake. Stuart Hayward, chairman of Bermuda Environment and Sustainability Taskforce, was disappointed saying "It is not encouraging that the ecotourism concept seems to have given way to a less environmentally sensitive development." Complications with the plan arose due to 9 Beaches being located on government owned property. The government's Bermuda Land Development Company was supportive during the planning phases and a 117-year lease extension, the maximum allowable under law, was signed in July. However, IRC wanted a longer lease. A bill was introduced in the Senate to extend the maximum allowable lease period to 262 years. The bill passed on December 11, 2010. A 240-year lease was drafted and passed by the House, but delayed multiple times in the Bermuda Senate. It was finally passed in February 2011. With development still delayed, IRC opened the property's beaches to the public during the summer of 2011. Local vendors used the opportunity to generate new business. Additionally, some of 9 Beaches accommodations were rented out to ensure "people [were] always buzzing around" the resort. By 2017 the resort was home to squatters, who were evicted in January of that year after a fire. In 2005, 9 Beaches was named to "Coastal Living" magazine's list of 15 best waterfront inns off the American Coast. The magazine called staying at 9 Beaches an "ethereal experience." The resort was visited by Fred Bernstein of "The New York Times" in 2006, who gave it a mixed review. Initially his visit was unpleasant due to a "pungent odor of the neighboring dairy farm and slaughterhouse wafting across [his] cabin." However, after complaining, he was upgraded to a room on the other side of the resort with a beautiful view. He called the property "stunning" and said "with its nine beaches, you can easily have one to yourself". Bernstein called the service "maddening", but added that "the resort’s energetic staff works hard to make up for its all-too-frequent errors." He also remarked that the room's air conditioners were "not up to the job" on the hottest days.