Gurney’s Resort & Spa in New York, US has received its first set of upgrades for US$5m (€3.6m £3m) as part of a multi-phase redevelopment of the property by real estate moguls George Filopoulos and Lloyd Goldman.

Filopoulos from Metrovest Equities and Goldman of BLDG Management bought the resort – situated in the Hamptons on Long Island – in June 2013 with a plan to make the resort a year-round spa destination.

Phase one of the development has been completed, including the installation of a brand new seawater pool at the epicentre of the 30,000sq ft (2,787sq m) 40-treatment room spa. While many Thalasso therapy-based spas feature saltwater pools this is the only seawater pool in North America which is pumped directly from the North Atlantic ocean.

The seawater is heated to 82 degrees Celsius in the indoor pool and to 94 degrees Celsius in the spa’s hydrotherapy pools. The heated seawater allows minerals and trace elements to pass through the barrier of the skin. With 120 chemical compounds in the form of salts and dissolved gases, seawater’s micro-organisms produce beneficial antibiotic, antiviral and antibacterial substances.

The full remodelling of the spa will take place in Q4 2014 in phase two of the redevelopment.

Overseen by New York designer Michael Kramer, other enhancements to the property completed during phase one include a new beach club, 38 new luxury guestrooms, upgrades to the remaining 71 rooms, a completely revamped food and beverage programme – directed by hospitality magnate Jennifer Oz Le Roy – and a new culinary direction from executive chef Seth Levine.

The latest developments will be unveiled on Memorial Day: 26 May 2014.