Different Way

The investors of the ambitious $160 million residential and commercial development for The Pierhead in the heart of The City have rolled out a new plan for the project.

In an update of the revised undertaking, a spokesman, who preferred not to be identified at this stage, announced on Thursday that it will no longer constitute a marina for luxury yacht owners or super-luxury branded stores. The representative of the project explained that there had been a number of improvements and adjustments to the original plan which will also no longer include “pure” entertainment facilities and a hotel complex.

The spokesman outlined what the city venture will now feature.

“We will welcome back the fishing boats and cruising catamarans that have been temporarily relocated to other areas of the port once the development has been opened,” he told Barbados TODAY.

‘’These are local businesses that can and should be supported in this part of the city.”

He added: “There will be some retail units and a number of restaurants and cafes, [and] there will be an important, heritage-based visitor attraction that we hope can include the unique, iconic and conserved Blackwoods Screw Dock.

“The Pierhead is in a very unique and important location to other developments in Barbados and will be very different. We need to build a destination for Barbadians and visitors alike.”

The site is adjacent to the old Fort Willoughby and is accessed via the Chamberlain Bridge, more popularly known as the Swing Bridge.

The official noted that the southern boundary of the development will be Pierhead Lane and that will lead to “our Beach Club and the beautiful Carlisle Beach and Bay.”

He indicated that further details related to the project will be made public in due course. However, he said that preliminary site salvage, demolition and piling works should be finished by September or October, [and] “we expect construction to start soon thereafter”.

“We are being careful as a lot of the work is focused on the salvage of coral stone, brick, timber and some steel and other items of important heritage value. We are hoping we can complete Phase 1 within the first half of 2026,” the representative forecasted.

The Pierhead development which has its genesis in the dream of local businessman Sir Allan Fields over 20 years ago, is finally getting off the ground after decades of hope and expectations “with significant support from real estate mogul, Sir Paul Altman over recent years”, the spokesman said.

He noted that the Government of Barbados is “keenly” following the progress of this project “as it is expected to lead the way in respect of the redevelopment and revitalisation of this important area of our national capital.”

The Pierhead project is being built in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb