Article
12 Oct 2009
Barbados
Randy Howard
South Coast Mall - The Lanterns
New Shopping Centre For South Coast - Investors Express Confidence in Barbados' Economy
BY February next year Barbadians and visitors to the island should have a new shopping centre to frequent on the South Coast, and it is expected that this would raise the profile of this part of the island.
The Lanterns at Hastings is a two level, upscale shopping centre owned by Windsor Plaza Limited, located on the site of the old Windsor Hotel in Hastings Christ Church, and will be the home of a full range of retail establishments, such as jewellers, pharmacies, spas, designer clothing and swim wear outlets, salons, restaurants, financial institutions, and more.
Last Friday, the developers of the project and representatives of their real estate agents Terra Caribbean, spoke to the Business Monday about the project that got underway in April of last year.
Andrew Laquis, one of the Windsor Plaza Limited’s directors and principal investors, stated that they had experienced a few delays that resulted in the completion of the project being bushed back from next month to February.
“The reason why we had some delays along the way is that we wanted to make sure that we delivered a very high end project on the market. So the architects weren’t willing to compromise on quality and we made sure all of the right materials were used”, he said.
He indicated that the decision was taken to develop the centre approximately two years before actual construction began, with the acquisition of the land space, and that despite the current turbulent economic times, they are confident that it will be a successful venture.
“We feel very positive about Barbados and the economy here, we know that what’s going on is a small lull in the market place, but Barbados has proven itself over and over as an international destination, being one of the most developed tourism markets in the Caribbean, and I think it’s important to keep delivering to the people visiting the country and locals a better shopping experience.”
“They’ve done a tremendous job here from the accommodations side, and I think that the next step for the people coming in is to upgrade the retail shopping experience”, he said.
Managing Director of Windsor Plaza Limited, Frederick George, pointed to the fact that Bridgetown has become very congested, and that shopping there for many is not a very enjoyable experience.
“You’re fighting traffic, dust, and quite a few issues that people have to deal with. My feeling is that the trend will have to go out of Bridgetown eventually. It’s started in stages, you’re going to have a development in Warrens coming up soon, and the South Coast definitely needs developing.”
He stated that the goal is “to capture those people that want to shop and want a variety of shops where they can shop in comfort, and feel secure, and that is the whole concept of The Lanterns Mall.”
The Lanterns at Hastings is a two level, upscale shopping centre owned by Windsor Plaza Limited, located on the site of the old Windsor Hotel in Hastings Christ Church, and will be the home of a full range of retail establishments, such as jewellers, pharmacies, spas, designer clothing and swim wear outlets, salons, restaurants, financial institutions, and more.
Last Friday, the developers of the project and representatives of their real estate agents Terra Caribbean, spoke to the Business Monday about the project that got underway in April of last year.
Andrew Laquis, one of the Windsor Plaza Limited’s directors and principal investors, stated that they had experienced a few delays that resulted in the completion of the project being bushed back from next month to February.
“The reason why we had some delays along the way is that we wanted to make sure that we delivered a very high end project on the market. So the architects weren’t willing to compromise on quality and we made sure all of the right materials were used”, he said.
He indicated that the decision was taken to develop the centre approximately two years before actual construction began, with the acquisition of the land space, and that despite the current turbulent economic times, they are confident that it will be a successful venture.
“We feel very positive about Barbados and the economy here, we know that what’s going on is a small lull in the market place, but Barbados has proven itself over and over as an international destination, being one of the most developed tourism markets in the Caribbean, and I think it’s important to keep delivering to the people visiting the country and locals a better shopping experience.”
“They’ve done a tremendous job here from the accommodations side, and I think that the next step for the people coming in is to upgrade the retail shopping experience”, he said.
Managing Director of Windsor Plaza Limited, Frederick George, pointed to the fact that Bridgetown has become very congested, and that shopping there for many is not a very enjoyable experience.
“You’re fighting traffic, dust, and quite a few issues that people have to deal with. My feeling is that the trend will have to go out of Bridgetown eventually. It’s started in stages, you’re going to have a development in Warrens coming up soon, and the South Coast definitely needs developing.”
He stated that the goal is “to capture those people that want to shop and want a variety of shops where they can shop in comfort, and feel secure, and that is the whole concept of The Lanterns Mall.”
