Retirement tourism plan revived

Avia Collinder, Business Writer

Investment promotion agency Jamaica Promotions (JAMPRO) has been pitching the Barrett Hall Lifestyle Village to investors in New York, marking the rebirth of plans to develop a retirement tourism market in Jamaica.

Currently costed at US$63.5 million, the development is slated for lands purchased by the National Housing Trust (NHT) in Barrett Hall, St James.

The lifestyle village project - the concept for which was first developed about five years ago - was initially a collaboration between NHT and Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ).

But last week, DBJ said the NHT was now solely responsible for its execution.

JAMPRO says it is working with a major local accounting and consultancy firm to identify investors for Barrett Hall, but manager of corporate communications Mark Thomas declined to name the firm.

In the past, however, PriceWater-houseCoopersJamaica has been

associated with the project.

Last month's pitch to investors was made in New York, but Thomas did not say whether the project had sparked interest.

exclusive communities

Barrett Hall is one of six undeveloped parcels of land that DBJ and NHT had acquired jointly for transformation into exclusive communities for 'sophisticated retirees' and senior citizens - local and foreign - for relaxation, recreation and health.

The projects were to include skilled nursing care and homes designed to the needs of the retiring demographic.

The development concept was aimed at encouraging the return of retired Jamaican residents abroad, as well as to bring significant reinvestment to the country, according to information still posted on DBJ's website.

NHT had not up to press time,

responded to requests for comment on the status of the project.

The six properties are located in St James, St Catherine, St Thomas, St Ann, St Mary and Manchester. Barrett Hall Lifestyle Village is to be developed on a 429-acre site located approximately 15 miles from Montego Bay.

According to JAMPRO, the site was chosen for several reasons, including: close proximity to the beachfront - only 0.25 miles away; nearby health facilities in Montego Bay; a gentle sloping view of the Caribbean sea; the fact that it is only 20 minutes' drive from Sangster International Airport; proximity — five miles — to the 'Elegant Corridor' and its premier resorts and planned attractions, including an "ultra luxury resort that will offer casino gaming and is approximately 15 minutes away from the lifestyle village."

The Barrett Hall project was costed in 2007 at J$15 billion — then the equivalent of some US$212 million — by lead developer NHT, which disclosed that it had purchased the land from businessman and developer Joe Whitter, who was also said then to be a partner in the venture.

old sugar plantation

The area was formerly an old sugar plantation named for its past owners, the family of English poet and writer Elizabeth Barrett-Browning.

In 2007, the plan was said to include 277 three and four-bedroom estate villas to be spread across 157 acres of land; 103 five-bedroom townhouses to be built on 42 acres; while 12 acres would have been allocated to assisted-living residences for the elderly, with live-in nurses.

The village was then slated to include housing for up to 100 nurses, community club houses, a golf course and a health clinic or hospital.

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