Sat | Dec 13, 2025

Ground broken for $1.5 billion commercial hub in Drax Hall, St Ann

Published:Saturday | October 11, 2025 | 6:13 PM
-Contributed photo
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness (fourth-left) joins Alexcia Boothe, CEO, BOOT; Wayne Boothe, managing director, BOOT; Leighton Hamilton, architect; Matthew Samuda, Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change and Ji Ruilin, managing director, Henan, at the symbolic groundbreaking for the BOOT 2 commercial development complex on October 10, 2025, in Drax Hall, St Ann.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has welcomed a $1.5 billion project in Drax Hall, St Ann, saying it will create jobs and boost the parish as one of Jamaica’s fastest-growing business hubs.

The four-storey, 68,819-square-foot BOOT 2 complex, developed by the family-owned BOOT Group of Companies, will feature a supermarket, Wendy’s franchise, cinemas, fine dining, professional offices, and retail spaces, a statement said.

The project also includes underground parking, a pedestrian bridge linking BOOT 1 and BOOT 2, and upgrades to the surrounding highway corridor, including Wi-Fi-enabled bus stops.

Construction is expected to take 18 months.

Delivering the keynote address at Friday's ground-breaking, Holness said, “BOOT 2 reflects vision and belief in Jamaica’s potential. Developments like this align with our plans for road expansion, economic prosperity, and job creation.”

Holness cited owner and operator of the Boot Service Station, Wayne Boothe, as one of the new and emerging class of Jamaican investors who are driving economic transformation.

Group Chief Executive Officer Alexcia Boothe said the project reflects BOOT’s commitment to creating spaces beyond traditional service stations. “BOOT 2 is about building communities and enhancing convenience. It will create opportunities, jobs, and a lifestyle experience that serves families, entrepreneurs, and visitors,” she noted.

Minister Matthew Samuda, highlighting the government’s $200 million investment in water upgrades for the area, underscored the administration’s support for large-scale private sector projects.

Drax Hall is located in St Ann North Eastern, which is represented by Samuda in the House of Representatives.

BOOT 2 is expected to generate hundreds of jobs during construction and operation, with commercial spaces ranging from 700 to 15,000 square feet, marketed by Coldwell Banker Jamaica Realty.

The company also has new projects planned for Montego Bay in 2026 and another major site in 2027.

-JIS contributed to this report.

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