By Robert Andre Emmanuel
The government has announced new plans for a real estate development at Shell Beach, aiming to boost interest in local investment through tourism.
According to last week’s Cabinet notes, the Shell Beach project will cover 20 acres east of the former US Military Base at Coolidge and will be open solely to Antiguan and Barbudan investors.
Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister, Lionel Hurst, said the plan aims to increase local participation in tourism.
“Antiguans and Barbudans ought to be able to claim a piece of the tourism sector – part of it that is affordable. There are many Antiguans with significant bank accounts that are earning 2 percent interest,” Hurst said.
According to Hurst, these luxury homes could generate significant returns for investors.
“Housing – luxury housing rented by folks who can afford upwards of $3,000 a day – that is what we’re looking at here,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the government is reviewing development options at Fort James, after Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’ earlier plans for a water park were halted.
“Carnival Cruise Lines was willing to make the investment there, but it was derailed by COVID when the cruise ships had to be mothballed and no cruise passengers were arriving in Antigua,” Hurst said.
The government is now considering building a yachting marina at Fort James, which would create 23 acres of land using dredged material.
“We want Fort James to be a nicer place than it now is, and this idea of a yacht basin and yachting center at Fort James is very attractive, very attractive, and so we’re pursuing that,” Hurst added.
He noted that the location’s natural depth is already suitable for large yachts.
“There will be little very little need for [too much] dredging because I think in and around that area, the depth goes down to a certain depth that allows for big yachts pulling in there,” he said.
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