Construction of the first phase of Dellis Cay, a private island resort 20 minutes by boat from Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, is on schedule for a mid-2010 opening, according to a statement from the O Property Collection, the Vienna-based developer.

Groundbreaking took place a year ago, and in that time, more than 735,000 man-hours have been invested in the construction of facilities at the 120-room Mandarin Oriental Dellis Cay, including house residences and beach and ocean villas.

The resort island, which will be managed by the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, will feature a spa, a tennis center, a jogging trail, and diving and windsufing options.

More than 80% of the beachhouse villas and the over-the-water villas already have been sold. The units will be placed in a rental pool for resort guests when not owner-occupied.