Ten-storey hotel proposed for downtown GT
(CNS): A planning application has been submitted for a ten-storey hotel in central George Town on Goring Avenue and across from the Bayshore Mall, which would be the first of its kind for the capital if it is approved. Planning regulations were changed at the end of the last administration to allow for mixed-use buildings in the capital up to ten storeys, paving the way for the proposed George Town revitalization. The proposals were designed to provide for shops, offices and residential apartments all on the same spot to encourage life and community back in to what has become a purely commercial part of the capital. However, the first project appears to be a geared towards tourism.
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According to the drawings submitted to the planning department and a small printed ad in the local press, the developers are proposing 14,000 sqft of retail space on the site 1.15-acre site, as well as a restaurant and two swimming pools, at least one of which will be on the roof, along with other amenities. The application is being made by HPW Investments Ltd. An online search reveals nothing about the company and CNS has now confirmed it is a resident company registered in March 2019 with its office listed at Cayman Management Ltd and no information is publicly available.
The piece of land was the subject of a sealed auction in 2015, when the landowners at the time, GKL Properties Ltd, put the lot up for sale through the local property agents, International Realty Group (IRG) owned by Jeremy Hurst, at an estimated price value of US$3,575,000.
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Category: Business, development, Local News, Tourism
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This is the start of revitalizing GT. Next it will be the yacht dock not cruise ships. Ppl will be able to visit cayman inbyachts similar to Bermuda and Barbados. I was against the cruise dock but if they go with the floating dock idea I may get behind it for luxury yachts. We could host fishing tournaments, boat shows, attract a different kind of traveler, and best of all give Gt a much needed face lift.
I’m honestly jaded at this point with what’s going on in Cayman but this…
This is ridiculous to say the least… A 10 story hotel where the South and East facing windows will have a nice view of all the wonderful on goings in Windsor Park and the North & West views will have a beautiful sunset cascading over a derelict and outdated George Town and a very active port… couldn’t think of anywhere else id rather stay.
Not.
No no no no. Enough reasons for you ? This can’t be a Caymanian because we know why? You let one in and that’s it. A city whithin a villag
Unbelievebable crap. Thank to those who rubber stamped this prior to the elections. That was thanks for nothin btw.
Why not 50? Or does McKeeva just want “iconic” buildings on the beach?
Talk to me about airplane flight paths?
they will have a red light on the top. sorted.
Who cares?? It is rarely if ever during sleeping hours. I lived under the path for several years. Was NEVER an issue. Even the early 7A Jamaica departures. I somehow slept through those.
Most flights land from the west. Commercial and private aircraft supposed to fly around the building as they land?
CPA/CIG get developer to change from hotel to mixed-income, mixed use development with at least 5-10% of units for affordable housing(rentals or for sale). Bringing young and/or new residents, small businesses and creating live-work sites in the area.
CIG have your master plan ready to create green spaces or parks and/or have the developer incorporate one on-site
The key to revitalization without gentrification is “bringing residents and the community to the table often and at the beginning.”
I like this suggestion. And I rarely say this!
I wish you were on the CPA!
Great way of thinking !
Dear fellow Caymanians,
Don’t sell your land.
Lease your land.
– Whodatis
Too late!
– That is that
10 storey will give great views of the turtle shaped ice rink….yep, welcome to wonderland.
Same old names when it comes to destroying the tranquility of these islands.Same old names connected to same old CPA and it’s same old destructive agenda for Cayman.Same old game being played even though we have a change in Government who campaigned on protecting the environment. Same old connected people in government and private sector being recycle into same old post to continue same old political and economic agenda. That’s why we will have the same old problems with the same old outcomes and they call it continuity in government which is just the same old tired bullshit we keep complaining about.
I think they first need to address the traffic congestion in GT. Perhaps expand the roads to 4 lanes instead of 2 lanes to reduce the bottleneck especially when tourists come back
don’t worry planning always makes sure consideration is given to traffic congestion…….ooops.
Lol
They should start with the basics in GT first.
great comment!?…care to expand…or is it a case of ‘can’t someone else do it?’
Apartments would be better than a hotel.
There is absolutely no rhyme or reason for this. Why? To accommodate who? We should be creating a old-Cayman inspired hotel out in North Side or East End with packages that include a visit to the Mastic Trail or Crystal or Bat caves, so that the smaller businesses also benefit from the hotel. Why George Town? Someone please explain.
I agree with your intent and logic. But, they would not make as much money and that is the tail that wags the dog. They are not developing this to be eco-friendly or to return to a 1980’s “Cayman Experience,” they want simply to make money! If they could make more money by building a used car lot there – that would be what they would be proposing. $$$$$$$$ rules.
But, been coming since 1984 and I do wish Cayman could go back to what it was, but alas, we can’t turn back time.
Your interpretation of tourists is too narrow. Thousands come each year on business. The location is ideal.
There is no business in George Town.
And they ALL want to stay on the beach. For some it’s the only chance they get to come here so they want to to swim in the ocean and sit at the poolside bar to unwind.
I mean that’s not quite true. Plenty of business travel happens and an affordable hotel is a good idea (not saying this one specifically because 10 stories is ridiculous, and where it will be is even worse).
Walking distance to Maples, Walkers, Cricket Square etc, a place for people to stay for a few days on business without having to rent a car and drive from seven mile isn’t as outlandish as people here think.
Problem is, I doubt this hotel is for them.
Really 3:52.??
why don’t you go and invest in your magical fantastical idea?…. its the same old nonses of people saying folks don’t us to become another miami……but we keep getting record tourist numbers(before covid)
More concrete. Nuff said.
do you live in a tree?
Great news for George Town. This is very much needed to rejuvenate the area and have non cruise ship related customers visiting Geoge Town local companies!
How about no
how about giving a reason for saying no?…..or it that the limit of your contributions?
No
This is exactly what GT needs to put some life back into it
Or this is what the criminals in gt need for fresh victims?
That’s a totally different issue. Basic policing and security – which Cayman does NOT have. But not the responsibility of developers – that is a CIG responsibility.
Yes. But unfortunately we don’t need new developments. We need to refurbish old developments.
Read the comment you were responding to! It was about security, not new vs old developments.
I actually agree with your statement, but it was not the topic you responded to.
CIG needs to deal with ‘criminals in GT’ whether they be at new or refurbished developments.
Developers – develop.
Government – governs.
However, in the case of the CIG, their mandate is to grab money in the back room and play deaf, dumb and silent.
The loud sound of the container trucks hauling loads to and fro through the middle of town is what shuts down town. Both waterfront venues used to be enjoyable until those big trucks wiz through. You literally have to stop talking because you can’t hear as they pass. Really RUINS the entire vibe.
So so true. The stupid, pollution spewing lorries, we need to have a serious think about moving to electric or hybrid ones as soon as feasible.
If such development if to ensure short and long term employment for Caymanians then why not.
Other than that, its just another concrete project to line the pockets of the wealthy investors here and abroad.
Kill it now.10 stories towering over small discreet private homes in the area. What is the benefit?
To basically gentrify the area. Watch all the private homes start getting bought out. Lol you cant make this sh!t up, I swear.
It’s you’re own doing the gentrification
But with the facts now glaringly shining bright, why won’t Caymanians stop selling their land and assets? Even with all that has taken place in the last century, the real estate ads are still bursting at the seams with traditional homes and passed down undeveloped family land, available to the lowest bidder!
What choice does one have? Our governments have made it so expensive for the average cayman to live yet very easy for the expat to make life very comfortable such as higher incomes with the same level of taxes the natives have to pay. The playing field has never been level for the caymanian. Thank God some own properties to sell just to survive.
We elect our government. Want change, stop electing the same fools! Stop simply blaming the CIG – it is US who elects them. We are to blame.
And yes, we need to hold those we elect to be accountable.
Case in point, our recent election witnessed many promises, which were completed ignored within days. (E.G., “the Bushmeister is evil… Oh, we now can welcome the Bushmeister within our fold. Oh, and let’s elevate him again.” This is a travesty that is now fading into the sunset. We are such fools – Thanks WB voters!
I know folks who live around this site. Imagine having a ten story building with windows for strangers to look down right next to your home. Its not a good feeling. Your privacy is gone. I hope the company pays off the surrounding homeowners that will have to put up with the massive inconvenience.
The green solution to that would be to grow some trees. Block nosey people in taller buildings, and get some nice shade to sit under.
no, it is to object to this through the planning process, appeal if needed, and remind their District representative who they work for and where they get their 12,000 per month salary from.
Ah Duh… Folks who will pay to be there will NOT wish to look on the hovels down below! If they are lucky and have a view to the west, they will keep the blinds open.
Looking down on the hovels? I think not. No fear, your privacy, drug-deals, stabbings, etc is in no peril.
Don’t agree, then clean up your own mess; which means work with the police when they ask for assistance to arrest criminals instead of turning to the “Hear no evil, See no evil, speak no evil” collusion with the rampant criminals.
Imagine having your property value double, triple, quadruple………
………..and then you sell out to the rich and greedy………..
Money vs ethical use of the land. And why does anyone complain about the degradation of this former pristine land, we did this to ourselves, and will continue to.
Don’t worry, that’s why there are proper setbacks in the Law. – Right, CPA?
Oh wait till the public sees how many laws and regulations were pushed through during lockdown. You thought they weren’t doing much? Think again. Its like how they push stuff through over Christmas every year when everyone’s busily distracted but 10X worse…
Truth!
NO! just another cluster f@#% for G/town and clogging up the only feeder road into central G/T how much more foolishness these people are going to think up and sell to these idiots.
But but but I thought that now those evil progressives have gone, the whole Island would overnight be restored to a traffic free green paradise…
Am I wrong and the Pact too see the need for commerce to fund their needs.?
There needs to be a proper code of ethics for real estate agents here.
100%. Self-governing cartel.
And we don’t need to be paying them one full month’s rent as commission! It’s robbery by lazy people who don’t want to work for a living.
‘ethics for real estate agents’….hahhahaha…good one.
always a good time to buy and sell!
Roof-top bar?
Much like the ghetto one around the corner?
DENY DENY DENY!
Will never happen. I am assuming the landowner is trying to maximize the value of the land for a potential sale but demonstrating what might be able to get approved for that site.
Obviously a horrible place for a hotel (if you were a tourist).
Cecil hotel comes to mind if it’s built.
If Dart can own ~30% of the land in Cayman, what makes you say and think that “will never happen”? Anything is possible in Cayman when money talks!
30%??? LMAO Try more like 75%+. Even more now that he’s busy buying up the Brac.
Who’s going to want to stay there?
Better up than sideways, maximize land value.
Are they just submitting it so that if they get approval they can flip it for a quick profit?
I admit I know nothing about tourism, but a ten story hotel in town?
What are the demographics of their target guests?
pie in the sky….
I wouldn’t accuse Mr. Dart of such a thing, but it does appear that he wants the Cayman Islands…. and our greedy leaders have been giving it to him.
This is a great step for GT.
Not a great location for a “tourist” hotel, but a perfect spot for business visitors (still tourists). Shame they elected to go the hotel route, full time residents in DT will be what leads the revitalisation.
Yep. Let’s hope each unit has kitchenettes for business travelers that may have to stay longer than expected.
The article did mention residential units. That is good. I agree with you more full time residents will lead to revitalization.