Several grand announcements have been made recently about huge developments, all on Jamaica’s north coast. I am going to list them below (you can look them up for further details, but I will outline the basics) and then I have a few – well, quite a few – questions to ask. Here goes:
The Pinnacle: Go to the website, and you will be dazzled by the brilliant depictions of bird life (!) and glowing video clips of more birds nesting in wetlands (and flowers). Then we are taken to the “perfect location” (17.5 acres), which is near Reading, St. James, perched alongside (or on) a lagoon, which is a Protected Area – the Montego Bay Marine Park. The development will consist of four towers of 28 storeys each (and fifteen villas), with swimming pools, jogging trails, tennis courts, etc, etc. The artist’s rendering shows a bunch of decorative palm trees.
CEO of Jamaica Environment Trust, Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, wrote a letter to the Gleaner newspaper this week, pointing to a lack of transparency. Why has an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) not been done, she asked; and why is there a lack of public dialogue? It seems to be a done deal, all signed off on in August, 2023 (see below). The developers are LCH Developments, which I think stands for Ziping Chen (Chairman), Yangsen Li (CEO), and Shifu Huang (Chief Financial Officer).
As of August 2023, The Pinnacle has Government approvals from the Municipal Corporation of Saint James, the National Environmental Planning Authority (sic), the Civil Aviation Authority, and the National Works Agency.
The Pinnacle website
At the groundbreaking ceremony on January 20, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said that the development would be “the tallest building (s) in the Caribbean.”
I have already written about the large housing development to be built by the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) at Roaring River/Mammee Bay (some 800 residences), in St. Ann. For more information, including a link to the EIA, please take a look at my previous blog post. The Appendix to the EIA is most revealing. After the rather contentious public meeting held by CHEC, the Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement (JaBBEM) will be holding a meeting tomorrow (Sunday, January 28) at 3:00 p.m. in Steer Town, St. Ann; it will be live streamed.
Meanwhile, the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has issued a press release expressing concern about the CHEC development’s environmental footprint. Shadow Minister of Environment and Ecological Heritage Senator Sophia Frazer Binns commented:
“Part of the proposed development will impact critical watersheds for ecologically sensitive areas such as Dunn’s River, Roaring River, Bogue, Mammee Bay and surrounding communities in Ocho Rios. We staunchly oppose the granting of any environmental permit, that will harm local residents and jeopardize the delicate environmental balance of the region…We cannot afford to compromise the ecological integrity of the Mammee Bay area, which plays a critical role in sustaining our environment and the delicate ecosystems that thrive in this region.”
People’s National Party press release, January 26, 2024
Finally, the longstanding Harmony Cove development in Trelawny has been resurrected, and the Government is anxious to do another groundbreaking this year. It will consist of a 26-storey building (just two storeys lower than The Pinnacle – oh my!) as well as a large casino, a golf course, and of course a beach area (none of the above for locals, I am guessing).
This is now a partnership between Nexus Luxury Collection and the Jamaican Government. As financial journalist Al Edwards notes, this planned development goes back to 2006 (a partnership then with the Tavistock Group). In a glowing report, Edwards notes:
A project of this magnitude takes Jamaica closer to Monte Carlo, The Bahamas and the Cayman Islands. It ups the ante considerably.
Our Today, January 25, 2024
Mr. Edwards, why can’t we be just Jamaica? Isn’t that what visitors come for? Monte Carlo is Monte Carlo. The Bahamas and the Cayman Islands can “do their thing,” if they want to. We are Jamaica.
For all these developments, I have more or less the same questions:
- Will Jamaicans have any access at all to the coastline on which these properties will be built?
- What impact will the development have on water supply for surrounding areas?
- What impact will the development have on traffic in the surrounding neighbourhood?
- What is the development’s carbon footprint?
- Who will be living in these places?
- What kind of clientele will casinos bring to Jamaica (in the case of Harmony Cove)?
- What benefits will these basically all-inclusive developments bring to the community, apart from mostly low-paid jobs? Will there be imported labour?
- How much natural habitat will be damaged in the building of these developments? How many trees cut down (including mangroves and mature trees)? How many endemic species of birds, plants and animals will be destroyed? What about the impact on beaches and coastal habitats?
- When is a Protected Area not a Protected Area? In fact, what are the criteria – or is it in name only?
One Jamaican commented on social media that very soon, the north coast of our island will be inaccessible to citizens of our island. The gated communities, security guards, walls, and razor wire will see to that.
I am not quite finished yet. Our ever-smiling Minister of Tourism, Ed Bartlett, has announced three more hotel developments by overseas companies that are coming on stream – all on the north coast: one in Lucea, Hanover (Grand Palladium); more rooms in Runaway Bay, St. Ann (Grand Bahia Principe); and one in Richmond, St. Ann (Secrets).
What a minute, though: there is one part of the north coast that is still due for defacement: the beautiful pastures of Llandovery, St. Ann. Last year, Minister Bartlett gushed over the fact that the “Karisma/Sugarcane” development – which was supposed to have got started by now – was back on stream. Something for the residents of St. Ann to look forward to.
All these developments seem to have one thing in common: these huge lumps of concrete could be anywhere in the world. What happened to the “Jamaican vibe“? Isn’t that what visitors come to the island for? What happened to Jamaican-style architecture, and our own special culture?
No, these foreign developers are going for the “Miami vibe,” and we seem to love it. How very sad.
Petchary's Blog 
we need to also complain about Kingston’s lopsided population and lopsided urban development with all of that city’s many multi floor/tall building developments….what say ye..???
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Well that is indeed a huge issue. Some citizens’ groups (Citizens Rights to the City and Island City Lab) are seeking to raise awareness and insist on orderly and people-centred development. I have written about the Kingston situation before, and the battle is ongoing. Stay tuned!
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I did read about the recent coastal erosion. I think the company will always put the company first and it’s all about making money. I just pray this doesn’t cause destruction in the long term.
Thank you for continuing to inform and make us aware with your informative articles/posts.
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You’re most welcome. A lot of the time I am trying to inform myself and to find out what is really happening. I watched the video and will share. Thank you!
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Thank you.
Take care.
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This is so very sad. The government is selling the very soul of our country and smiling about it. As your article states, Jamaica is Jamaica. Our culture is unique; our people are unique. Jamaica is ours alone. The “Land of Wood and Water” is like no place else on earth. Why would we want to be like Miami, Cayman or The Bahamas, or any place else. I hate these planned high rise developments coming on the North Coast. I’m really worried about the imbalance to the ecological system that will no doubt come. I’m worried about the possibility of more earthquakes on that side of the island. I worry about China and Spain and these foreign companies buying up large swathes of the best coastal land and making the beachfront/beach inaccessible to regular Jamaicans, not the wealthy. Wealthy Jamaicans will always have access, but Jamaica belongs to all Jamaicans, not to the government
.
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All the things you mention here, Michele – I worry about them too! There will be a terrible imbalance (our ecology, our “Jamaicanness” and it’s already tilting in the wrong direction. The north coast was already ruined by the huge all-inclusive that started some 15/20 years ago, but it seems the entire stretch of coastline will soon be built up. Earthquakes, and climate change in general, has not been taken into account. There are so many issues – beach access is a major one. I feel like the whole island is up for sale. By contrast, we went on a trip yesterday to a small bed and breakfast up in the hills – a beautiful spot, river and waterfalls – I believe these small eco-tourism places are really the way to go. Although very unpretentious and not “luxurious,” there were overseas guests there, just enjoying the peace and quiet…
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Molte, molte grazie!
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You are so right. We should have seen this coming with the start of the high rise hotels a few decades go. Jamaica is a small island, we don’t need all those high rise buildings on the North Coast. Kingston was fine, but who wants the entire island to be like Kingston.
Another thing about those high rise buildings is that they block the breezes from the sea. We know climate change has already made Jamaica hotter than when I was a child growing up there 50 years ago. But those high rise buildings on the north coast will make the north coast hotter too.
I think we need a mass outpouring and ongoing protests by the people against these proposed structures. We need a grassroots effort like the Winnifred beach protest group. Not all Jamaicans can move off to the U.S.A or Canada or England if things get unbearable. Not all Jamaicans have green cards in their back pockets and can run abroad when things get bad. Some of us Jamaicans have to live with whatever the country becomes. What future will this leave our children. The health and success of Jamaica is not about selling our country to the highest bidder.
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It has been creeping up on us for a while, and has just exploded in recent years. There are also some concerns about the quality of some of these developments. And there are so many concerns – including the blocking of sea breezes, which we need more than ever. Will there be adequate water and sewage arrangements? Many of these places do not seem particularly eco-friendly. And a very important point is that Jamaicans should be able to enjoy their island without being blocked from beaches and the coastal areas that are their birthright. Why should they have to run off to a foreign country, even if they are able? It’s so sad.
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I wonder if you’ve seen the Throp (American-Jamaican Negril resident) vlog interview with the principals of the new in-progress Pinnacle towers development in Montego Bay. He interviewed the marketing manager (a Jamaican-born woman who has lived in Barbados for approximately 20 years now and has her real estate business there), the born-and-bred Jamaican woman architect, Isaia Madden, who apparently has done all the Riu hotels, among others, and is also the architect for the planned Princess hotel (with it’s thousands of rooms), and one of the three heads of the LCD company who are building the hotel. They are Chinese nationals who came to Jamaica 18 years ago and established themselves in Jamaica. The architect is from Montego Bay and started interning at an architecture firm when she was 14 years old, every summer until she went abroad to study architecture at Howard University.
In the architect’s interview with Throp, she talks about them conducting a lot of research about the environment, the effects on the lagoon, the effects on the trade winds on the four 28-ft. sky scrapers. Incidentally, you were so right about the “Miamification” of Montego Bay with this development. That was exactly the desire of the company principals. They even took a trip to Miami with the architect to view high rises a few years ago an shared their vision with the architect who then came up with the design for the the Pinnacle.
I guess I feel a tiny bit better that they say they did their due diligence, but I still don’t see why Montego Bay has to become little Miami. Why can’t we just be Jamaican and evolve in a way hat’s uniquely us without non-Jamaicans imprinting their vision onto the island. I guess that’s a moot point now.
Anyway, I wanted to share the link of the Throp interview with the Pinnacle folks in case you haven’t heard it.
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Thank you so much for this interesting information. I knew about LCD but did not know about the architect. I honestly don’t understand why we need a “little Miami” here either – and why did the born-and-bred Jamaican architect go along with it? I wonder while conducting all their research they considered every aspect of climate resilience? Montego Bay recently suffered a “cold front” with 15 – 20 foot waves, out of the blue, which destroyed quite a bit of coastal infrastructure. I will have to look up the Throp interview – have not had a chance yet – I suppose on YouTube. I suppose the Pinnacle people are the “experts” and we should not raise concerns… Thanks very much for your comments.
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Read carefully about this other Chinese initiative:
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/shanghai-eyes-singapore-as-it-chases-foreign-investments-amid-slowing-economy?utm_campaign=ST_Newsletter_AM
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Thank you, Ivan.
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There is a reason why Miami is the most emigrated city in all of Latin America and the Caribbean, private capital follows profit and people vote with their pocket so clearly these products are desired and turn a profit.
So it’s a bit ridiculous to say people should come here for the “Jamaica” vibe?? What does that even mean?? Why can’t we have 50 story buildings and 8 lane highways, are we to be condemned to 3rd world inefficient infrastructure because tree huggers say we need to maintain island vibes??
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I am not saying we shouldn’t have infrastructure but visitors don’t come here to see huge high rises and highways do they? Yes highways are very convenient.
It’s “ridiculous” to say people should come here for a Jamaican vibe? Then what does our Tourism Ministry promote on a daily basis?
PS I dislike the term “third world” but I do like hugging trees…
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I am concerned that Jamaica lies within the earthquake belt, and buildings should be limited to maybe 6 stories or so. The location and the height of The Pinnacle is worrying. I am no geologist, but careful consideration should be taken for these developments.
With the case of Mammee Bay, steps should be taken to preserve the watershed area in order to have adequate water supply for the residents. The beaches are necessary for rejuvenation activities. MONEY IS NOT ALL!!! ,
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I am afraid money IS all these days. Everyone grabbing what they can, it seems. I hadn’t thought about the possibility of earthquakes (we had quite a big one late last year). Also, the land may subside. This is happening in other locations where there is heavy coastal development.
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Cavete Sinenses aedificantes! e.g. issues already encountered globally, such as….
* Objectives
* Transparency
* Record of similar plans/constructions elsewhere
* Quality
* Environment
* Corruption
* Consultation with locals –with resulting consent
* Public debt
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And actually already encountered locally. The transparency issue has repeated itself over and over. And the total disregard for the environment.
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I I don’ t know whether to cry or throw up. All of these are appalling.
And I am not against development. But I have never been– nor wanted to go — o Miami. I have spent many, many months over decades in Jamaica. because it is not Jamaica. the repercussions of these monstrosities will affect the shores, the water supplies, the animal life and the sociological structure of the country, for a start.
And by-the-by— will ANY of the returns trickle down to inner cities, rural infrastructure, prison reforms, school budgets? What a sad reflection of the people in positions of power.
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I am NOT against development either but I am for “sustainable” development. I agree – I have visited Miami and it has its own culture, architecture etc. BUT we are not Miami, why should we be? Nor are we Monte Carlo, or any other “glamorous” destination. We are Jamaica. These will be enclaves for the wealthy (mostly foreigners).
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Please forgive the editing error. I go to Jamaica because it is not MIAMI!
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Sorry Mark! I couldn’t see your message properly, could you kindly resend?
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I just tried again….lets see if it works. : )
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Oh dear, no! I am not sure what you are doing wrong!! (not very technical myself!!)
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i sent it to this address: petchary@gmail.com is that correct?….
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Yes! I just saw it and will respond tomorrow! Thank you!
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These past few weeks have been very much like a polar dip for me where Jamaica is concerned. Very much like a violent dip in -100 degree icy water. It is increasingly apparent that all of our politicians are truly nefarious and extremely narcissistic. Your post has pushed me further under these icy waters. I reside outside of Jamaica and long to return to the idyllic lifestyle that I once knew growing up there. I remember Ochi as the fishing village. As a child, every beach was mine to roam. As a young woman, when I left home in Kingston in 1991, Ochi was still accessible. Now, the beaches are inaccessible and the town is an eyesore for the common Jamaican. The trajectory that Jamaica is on is very perplexing…
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Very sad indeed. Looks like a lot of palms have been greased for these monstrosity to happen.
I would have hoped that the planning committee to have actually consult with the public before signing off the deal. Silly me, they can’t do that, objections means no palm greasing.
How can these people sleep at night knowing that they have sold JA to the highest bidder!
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This is such a beautiful pristine environment right on a protected area (Pinnacle). And Roaring River is also precious and an important water source. There was no EIA or consultation for Pinnacle. But it’s happening…
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These things look like something from a dystopian future.
Ugly! Who on earth is the architect?
I made similar comments on WhatsApp.
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They do! Ugly! All the details of the “team” for Pinnacle are on their website. It is a woman, I don’t think she’s Jamaican.
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