Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the East Kingston waterfront is to benefit from a number of planned infrastructural improvements aimed at enhancing and transforming the area.

The prime minister made the announcement as he delivered the keynote address at the groundbreaking ceremony for a J$2.1-billion apartment complex in the area on Tuesday, December 19.

“Along Port Royal Road, we have put in a new revetment, a new sea wall, we have increased the boardwalk, and the intention is to do that development coming all the way along this roadway here, Norman Manley Boulevard, going all the way down to [Sir] Florizel Glasspole Drive, going down to the airport. Eventually, you are going to have a lovely facility which we call a linear park. You can jog on it, just leisure, have meetings and it will be there for the entire use and benefit of the community,” Holness outlined as he emphasised the significance of the development and the positive impact it will have on real estate values and the surrounding communities.

The prime minister pointed out that the planned infrastructural improvements for the eastern end of the city is part of the Government’s thrust to stimulate development along the waterfront, where real estate is usually the highest value globally.

He explained that the intention is to pull people to the waterfront in an environment that is safe and gives utility for recreation.

“Once that starts to happen, it will help to change the character of the area. That, I’m certain, will add value to the development that you are doing,” Holness said.

The prime minister, who endorsed the K2 residential development, said he is certain that other enterprising developers are looking on to see how it turns out, “and if it is successful, East Kingston and Port Royal, as a destination for housing development, will take off”.

Member of Parliament for Kingston East and Port Royal, Phillip Paulwell, noted that K2 is a significant development for the eastern end of the capital city.

“We have given the investors our assurance that I want to see this project developed as a model for the Corporate Area. We ask that where there is employment of skilled and unskilled people, we be given the first priority,” Paulwell said.

Director of Sherbourne Limited, Michael Lake, shared that the prices range from J$16.2 million, J$28.8 million, and J$34.6 million, for studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, respectively.

“The vast window openings within each unit will provide each homeowner with an uninterrupted view of the beautiful harbour,” he said.

Lake added that K2 provides an opportunity for Jamaicans to invest in real estate that typically provides the greatest capital appreciation.