Sod turns on Vineyard Meadows in mill’s shadow

One of the largest-ever affordable housing developments was launched on Friday, with the lands of the former Vineyard plantation in St Philip being converted from growing crops to 1 100 homes in a public-private partnership to build affordable housing. 

The joint venture between the National Housing Corporation and Vineyard Development Inc., led by veteran construction magnate Bjorn Bjerkhamn, is designed as a planned community to expand affordable homeownership. 

The development surrounding the last vestige of the plantation, the 300-year old Pollards Mill, will feature approximately 1 100 homes built across six stages over the next five to six years, with initial prices for house-and-land packages starting at $170 000.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Chairman Vineyard Development Inc Bjorn Bjerkhamn. (Photo Credit: Ricardo Roberts/Barbados TODAY)

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Prime Minister Mia Mottley said that the initiative represents far more than a standard construction project, framing it as a critical engine for national transformation and macroeconomic growth. Addressing government and private sector officials including parliamentary colleagues, Mottley declared that the project signifies a shift from traditional housing strategies towards building complete, sustainable communities.

“The reality is that we have to transform how we do things, and this housing project is not just a housing project,” Mottley said. “It is the building of a community. It is the ambition of this government to see and to create the opportunities for every Barbadian to be homeowners rather than renters and tenants in their own land. I have said too often that rent is dead money. I repeat it today, rent is dead money. When it leaves your pocket, it’s gone and you get back nothing from it. But that same sum of money when it leaves your pocket as a mortgage payment gives you equity.”

She praised the joint-venture framework, noting that because the state provides the land as its equity contribution, developers avoid costly land-acquisition loans. This financial structure directly protects buyers, preventing an additional $10 000 to $15 000 in legal and financing fees from being passed on to individual homeowners.

Vineyard Development Inc., a subsidiary of BJ Investments Ltd, brings Bjerkhamn’s 50-year track record of residential building to the project, following the footprint of previous developments such as Ridge Meadows and Whitehall Meadows.

Chairman Vineyard Development Inc Bjorn Bjerkhamn. (Photo Credit: Ricardo Roberts/Barbados TODAY)

Bjerkhamn underscored the nature of the collaboration, describing it as a landmark achievement that sets a new precedent for the island: “Vineyard Meadows is the first housing development of this scale to be delivered through a partnership between the government of Barbados and a private developer.

“Together with the National Housing Corporation, we share a common vision to make a meaningful contribution to the housing market by increasing the supply of affordable, quality homes for Barbadian families. Beyond providing homes, Vineyard Meadows will create opportunities. 

“During construction, the project is expected to employ approximately 500 Barbadians while maximising the use of locally produced materials wherever possible. In doing so, we are supporting local businesses, creating employment, stimulating economic activity, and transforming what was once an underutilised property into a vibrant residential community.”

Built on the concept of essential affordable housing, Vineyard Meadows grants owners the flexibility to personalise and upgrade specific finishes over time as budgets allow. The project offers five distinct architectural layouts tailored to individuals, couples and growing families. These models include the one-bedroom Fern spanning 396 sq ft, the two-bedroom Willow at 654 sq ft, the three-bedroom Clover at 675 sq ft, the two-bedroom Rosewood featuring two bathrooms across 753 sq ft, and the flagship three-bedroom, two-bathroom Laurel model encompassing 936 sq ft.

The chief operations officer of Vineyard Development Inc., Derek Edwards, highlighted the modular adaptability of the entry-level units and the community-focused layout:

“Today, on the lands of the Vineyard plantation, surrounding the historic property of Pollard’s Mill, we do more than turn soil; we turn a page,” Edwards said. “For generations, this land grew crops. From today, it will grow something far more valuable: homes, families, and community. Affordability should never mean one size fits all. And here is what I am proudest of: our one-bedroom homes are deliberately designed to grow. As your family grows, and as your means grow, that one-bedroom home can be expanded into a three-bedroom home. You will not have to leave Vineyard Meadows to move up in life. Your home will grow with you.”

Edwards further detailed that the neighbourhood infrastructure is designed to foster an active, interconnected community. Rather than promoting isolation, the development incorporates shared urban spaces featuring road tennis courts, netball courts, a mini football field, children’s play areas and an expansive walking track with fitness stations.

Additionally, a future on-site commercial village will offer dining, retail spaces and everyday convenience services, reducing the need for residents to travel long distances for basic necessities. Edwards also maintained that the design respects existing residents in surrounding St Philip communities, with road placements and green buffers intended to mitigate construction and traffic impacts.

The broader development follows a national strategy to renew housing infrastructure across Barbados, including planned multi-storey condominium developments in urban areas such as Greenfields and Exmouth, alongside climate-smart vertical agricultural initiatives aimed at preserving food security.

Rejecting the concept of segregated or gated communities, Mottley suggested that the strength of Barbados relies on diverse socio-economic groups living and working alongside one another.

“Barbados is best when everybody lives together as a community, and that is why I have never supported gated communities,” she said.  “We have had poor people and rich people… live next to each other and live and work with each other. They find a way of living and working with each other, and that is the beginning of the secret for a strong foundation and strong development in this country.”

(RR)