Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
Samuels
WESTERN BUREAU:
Construction of a $15 billion retirement village, first announced by former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, is to begin in January on a 450-acre property at Barrett Hall, St. James, Financial Gleaner sources say.
The National Housing Trust, the lead developer on the facility, has bought the land for the village from Montego Bay tycoon, Joe Whitter, whose lawyer Clayton Morgan said his client will also be a partner in the venture.
Morgan, however, declined to disclose of the partnership, but said that an environmental impact assessment is conducted ahead of the start of construction.
Lifestyle tourism
An artist's impression of the Lifestyle Retirement Village to be built in Barrett Hall, St. James. - contributed
The project is part of the Government's attempt to open Jamaica to lifestyle tourism, attracting the elderly to live in retirement communities, which has been a major success in places like Florida and Arizona.
Barrett Hall, an old sugar plantation, once owned by the Barrett-Browning family of the English poet and writer Elizabeth Barrett-Browning, has not only size and the beauty, but the kind of history which the developers hope will add allure to the project.
"The high-end development is aimed at attracting returning residents and retirees in need of care," Earl Samuels, managing director of the NHT said earlier this year.
According to the Financial Gleaner sources, the plan includes 277 three- and four-bedroom estate villas on 157 acres of land, while 103 five-bedroom townhouses will be built on 42 acres of land. Another 12 acres have been allocated to assisted-living residences for the elderly, with live-in nurses.
The village will include housing for up to 100 nurses, community club houses, a golf course and a health clinic or hospital.
