Ground broken for Old Harbour’s newest housing development

Greathouse Estate is slated to be built on 86 acres of prime real estate by Brahma Construction (Brahmaco), an up and coming team of new kids on the block who are keen on delivering modern sophisticated homes to those at the upper level of the income ladder.

At a ceremony on site, Damion Tyrell, Brahmaco’s director and vice president of projects and operations, says the team is seeking to construct 410 units in five phases.

At the completion of the entire project, the gated community will have established several amenities such as a commercial centre, a recreational park with jogging trails, a swimming pool, gym and a pre-school.

“It was a very challenging and worthwhile experience taking us to where we are,” said Tyrell, while disclosing starting price points of JMD$38 million and JMD$44 million for its Ivy and Verley models respectively.

A stoplight at the top of the 2.4km stretch from the Old Harbour Road main road also forms part of the broader development scheme complemented with an elegant corridor comprising of streetlights, sidewalks and drainage to enhance the overall aesthetics.

Another key feature of this project is that power lines will be placed underground, Tyrell said, contending “this will give a cleaner look and make things a little more festive”.

Sewerage, water and garbage collection will be managed by private firm Greathouse Management Company, removing the need to depend on state entities.

Mayor Norman Scott, chairman of the St Catherine Municipal Corporation, says this is the first major step of a broader development plan for the Thetford Park, Church Pen area.

“It’s about 12,000 new housing solutions already on stream and already approve by the municipal corporation,” said the mayor.

“These 400 units is just a part of the development that is coming to this area,” he added, while revealing that the council is already looking at finding solutions to the growing population and vehicular traffic.

Lorna Bailey, representing the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, says the Thetford Great House has profound cultural and historical significance.

“Thetford Park Estate has a rich and storied past dating back to the 17th Century,” she said of the former colonial lands which still has standing on it the antique Georgian design Thetford Great House.

“It is the only kind in the island and that is why we have to preserve it,” Bailey added. “It is against this background that on May 4, 2023 the Jamaica National Heritage Trust declared Thetford Great House a national monument for its historical and architectural significance.

“This ceremony marks the beginning of an exciting journey where we will continue to safeguard and celebrate our historical treasures for the benefit of future generations. Let us remember our work here. It is not just building physical structures but it’s also about nurturing a deeper understanding and appreciation of our heritage.”

Bailey then presented a plaque, with the declaration inscribed, to the developers who informed that it will be affixed to the building at a later date.

“The Great House is ours, it is own by us,” Tyrell noted, “but of course if there are any changes that we want to do on the exterior and to an extent on the interior then of course we have to consult with the Jamaica National Heritage Trust because they want to keep the structure in as an original state as it is possible. Of course we will be using the Great House as one of our club houses.”

Given the distance between Greathouse Estate and the main thoroughfare, one of the biggest issues for prospective homeowners is security and safety measures put in place from the onset by the developer and/or the state.

This Old Harbour News put to Tyrell who assured that proper lighting and sidewalks will be in place.

He said: “By the end of the third, going into the fourth phase, it should be well developed and well defined. So we have to ensure that the area is setup in such a way that people are comfortable going home.

“If you notice this is the first development in this area so we anticipate other developments coming along the way. So that is one of the main reasons why we can’t just do a final roadway because they may end up digging up as you would know how some of these things can happen.”

In the civil works design, Tyrell also informed that they have planned “for the 100-year flood” meaning the drainage capacity is capable of retaining the largest flood to ever occur in the last century.

Of also concern for potential buyers familiar with the area is the entrance of Thetford Park along Old Harbour Road. It is a location that is flood prone due to an outdated drainage infrastructure that is unable to retain any reasonable amount of storm waters.

But according to Tyrell “We have noticed it,” but “I can’t speak to that right now but of course it will be factored in.”

The Brahmaco director also indicated that constructing a bridge across the gully connecting Spring Village is a consideration that they might explore in the future as this will open up the area for further development while creating travelling alternates which is seriously lacking.

“It is something that we believe could be necessary if some people want to drive that route. But we have thought about it and that’s all I can say,” he said.

The demand for high-end housing solutions accompanied by modern aesthetics and amenities continues to grow in Jamaica.

When one thinks of Greathouse Estate think Long Mountain in St Andrew and Richmond Estate in St Ann.

At current price, the value is likely to increase by approximately 10% per annum research is showing, said Tyrell.

“When we were doing our research the price point isn’t bad,” he said. “When you look at the type of product we are offering and you look at the amenities that will be available in and around the area it is a ‘Richmond-esque’ type of setting where we will be allowing Airbnb but of course manage properly and effectively by our management company that will be overseeing all of those.

“What is being offered is second to none. And that the value of the houses will go up and based on current market data, value will increase by almost 9.6 % per annum.”

In terms of their portfolio, Greathouse Estate represents the largest housing project undertaken by Brahmaco. Their first major development before this was 26 West, a nine-apartment complex on West Lake Avenue in Richmond Park, St Andrew.

Tyrell said their entry into the housing market saw them doing several single dwellings for locals, while noting that they are the developers behind the remodeling of the Mitchells Home Makeover, a YouTube vlog hosted by entertainers Wayne Marshall and Tammy Chin.