Jamaica’s historic Vale Royal now on life support

When I wrote this article about the condition of Vale Royal, a historic building in the parish of St. Andrew, Jamaica, it was in urgent need of attention. But it could have been revived. It was an outpatient in the emergency room. Now it is on life support, and the prognosis is very poor.

You can read about it here – once the “official residence” of the Prime Minister – but look at the pretty picture of it on the website of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), which is responsible for its maintenance and upkeep. The OPM states:

In recent times, the residence has been left unoccupied and is used for state functions, ceremonies, meetings hosted by the Prime Minister and entertainment including an annual luncheon with Members of Parliament and Christmas treats for children and the elderly.

Office of the Prime Minister of Jamaica website

It has not been used in this capacity for several years now. We used to hear the music floating across from Vale Royal when visiting overseas dignitaries were being entertained, or when the children had their Christmas treat. Those were the days.

Now, today (February 27, 2024) we discovered that the front of the building has completely collapsed: the front porch has taken a chunk of the upstairs balcony with it. Next to go will likely be the Coat of Arms on the front. The roof is in terrible shape but hanging on. For years now, the building has been on a saline drip, hanging on to life. Now the drip has been removed and the life is slowly draining out of it. The only (minimal) attention it gets is when the expansive lawns are cut.

It was all for show. The pretty photographs and videos with the National Anthem playing, flags flying, beautiful flowerbeds and immaculately kept building, are a thing of the past. Drone footage would not dare to get too close to it now. It is a semi-ruin.

A few days ago, a video posted on Facebook highlighted the disastrous state of the building. Here are some screenshots from that video, with the porch hanging on:

Well, things got worse. Much worse. Here are some screenshots from today’s video:

Those residents who are living nearby are in absolute shock. In fact, many are mourning the total abandonment and neglect of this historic property, which was built in 1694 and owned by a very rich plantation owner – who owned many enslaved Africans. Yes, this is a horribly painful part of our history, but just think: this could have been a museum that included a focus on plantation slavery, with artefacts – or at least, little known aspects of our history.

Because history is not always pretty, despite the lovely appearance of this building. But we can learn from it. And then: imagine school tours, visitors both local and overseas (an income earner, perhaps?) A café, a gift shop, an art gallery, a park? Even a more suitable, dry and safe site for the Institute of Jamaica, which is too close to the sea and suffering from mold like many other buildings downtown? The possibilities are endless.

Also, the question is: what happened to the artworks from the National Gallery that were on loan there? Are they still there, and if so, have they been secured? I remember seeing some of these when I visited there – many years ago, now, when Bruce Golding was Prime Minister.

I am too sad and angry to write much more, having watched the slow, steady decay of Vale Royal over the past several years, along with many other citizens. As I noted in my first blog post dated October 19, 2020, efforts have been made for years to talk to the Office of the Prime Minister. Some excellent plans and proposals have been drawn up by local architects for the use of the property – which would be a beautiful public park. We certainly need the green space in this city where we can hardly breathe! I shared many of these proposals in my October, 2020 post.

It is a complete mystery as to why we have not been told anything about any plans for the property. Yes, it is owned by the Government; but the Government is also the People, and I think we deserve to know. In 2022, Member of Parliament for the area Julian Robinson asked questions in Parliament. The response was not encouraging.

As one resident said:

The gem of Vale Royal was special to [us]…it hurts differently being so powerless, knowing it was the power of volunteerism that was being rejected.

Vale Royal neighbour

Indeed, offers to help fix up the place were rejected by the OPM; the resources and the will amongst residents were there. A “residents’ task force” would (or could) have been formed. Polite requests for a meeting were met with obfuscation initially, and then a downright refusal. Phone calls were not returned or answered.

The question is: Why? What are the plans?

I personally feel ashamed, embarrassed and angry. Most of all, I suppose sad – and hoping for answers.

Vale Royal in happier days.