The construction and official opening of the New Brunswick Village in Spanish Town, St Catherine, is expected to usher in a renaissance in the development of the old capital of Jamaica.

Located on approximately 12 acres of land with an investment from Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited of over $6 billion, the new mixed-use real estate development combines both commercial and residential spaces. New Brunswick Village comprises 89 residential modern housing solutions: 70 apartments ranging from studio to two-bedroom units and 19 two-bedroom townhouses.

“When we envisioned this New Brunswick Village, we recognised that there were some pressing issues surrounding affordable residential and commercial options in this community and from the outset, we aimed for a transformative impact. Observing the challenges in St Catherine, we identified a mixed-use development as a potential solution,” Sagicor Group President and CEO Chris Zacca said in his presentation at the grand opening today (June 19).

While noting that the development represents the collective efforts of the Sagicor team, he pointed out that the residential solutions are built to serve “aspirational homeowners” with a view to transform the lives of people in the area and the wider community.

Plans for the development began in 2017 with Bailey Williams Limited and construction in 2020, after Sagicor took a 70 per cent stake in the company 2019.

Given the challenges with traffic congestion and limited space for new developments, Zacca said the developers “considered the issues of proximity and connectivity and strategically positioned New Brunswick Village near the Angels leg of the North-South Highway, ensuring easy access to Kingston and, of course, the North Coast, and to everywhere else.

“This makes this location an ideal hub for residents and businesses alike, offering availability of top-rated schools and other amenities in the parish, and thus making it an attractive location for families. After many months of planning and mapping out and building… today, we can proudly present to the public the first gated, multi-use community of its kind in St Catherine,” he continued.

On the commercial side, New Brunswick Village features a variety of establishments such as R.A. Williams Distributors, Island Grill, and Imperial Optical. Zacca told the gathering that Fontana Pharmacy, Domino’s Pizza, Devon House I-scream, and a supermarket will be added.

During the opening ceremony, Our Today also saw representatives from Khemlani Mart and Express Fitness in attendance.

Residents will also enjoy amenities such as an esplanade, serving as a central green space for dining and shopping, a fitness trail, outdoor gym facilities, and more.

“We view New Brunswick Village as a catalyst for change, not just in Spanish Town but across Jamaica. It represents our commitment to creating inspiring, connected, and uplifting spaces, and we are proud to lead this transformation. New Brunswick Village revitalises an area rich in history, bringing renewed pride and progress to Spanish Town, forever changing its landscape,” the Sagicor CEO shared.

Co-founder of the development firm Bailey Williams Limited, John Bailey, underscored the importance of collaboration in undertaking such a project, noting that the partnership between the company and the Sagicor Group is a model that should be followed.

Though Bailey-Williams initially envisioned a compound to house business process outsourcing operations, it surveyed the community and concluded that what was most needed was “a small village-type community – a mixed-use space – consisting of commercial, retail and residential experiences”.

Reiterating that the aim was to provide an “aspirational” development, Bailey expressed that the aim was alignment with Jamaica’s Vision 2030 by creating “the place of choice to live, work, raise families, and do business”.

He added that together with the late R Danny Williams, a former chairman of Sagicor Group, he believed New Brunswick Village would become “an incubator, a new birth of sorts, for Spanish Town”.