Going Back In Time...

One of the many factors that helped make the decision to include Barbados in our retirement adventure was to revisit a previous time in my life when I worked here. I was curious to see what had become of my project and Cyndi was curious to see it for the first time. In 1982 (34 years ago!) I moved to Barbados to be the owner's on-site representative for the construction of hotel complex – originally called The Admiral Beach and planned to have over 600 suites. After buying the land, hiring and firing the first architectural firm and hiring a second, and then working on a fast track basis with a contractor to design and build, it was renamed at opening time to Ginger Bay Beach Club - two and half years later.

I was there to oversee progress of the project and report back to the marketing team as the project moved forward. Investors from the United States were buying timeshare interests through the marketing team that had a home base in the US Virgin Islands.

I represented the local development company set up here in Barbados, and communicated with the Architect (Ian Morrison) and General Contractor (M&M Construction). My on-site efforts allowed the project to proceed and make it possible for the investors to enjoy what was promised to them by the marketing team – the initial project was completed 2 weeks early and under budget. Unfortunately, the marketing team were not able to satisfy some tax issues for the timeshare offering and the nice US tax folks decided they needed to take a close look at it. As a result, the project was reduced to only 16 suites.

I still have the documents that show that I was granted permission to run a hotel, operate a bar and restaurant, operate a pool and hire staff to work therein. It was a bumpy ride at times but I kept good daily records and still have the original plans along with a scrap book of photos. The official opening was well attended and a family member of the then-current Prime Minister of Barbados was hired as the hotel manager. I left Barbados feeling satisfied and proud of my work, and sad at the same time that I had to leave. Then, not too long after opening, the hotel management was told to convert the facility to an apartment complex as the hotel could not make a go of it – likely pressures from the nice tax folks.

The facility is now called Ginger Bay Apartments and they are a very popular “exclusive” residential location among the locals as the very private beach keeps tourists away and the wind swept location keeps it very cool. We have met many people who know about the apartments or have actually lived there - they love it. A two bedroom unit sells for about 1/2 million US dollars.

It was fun to see it all again.