Lease floated to boost parking at Bermudiana Beach
Land to the east of the Bermudiana Beach Residences could be leased by the Bermuda Housing Corporation in an effort to bolster parking for the site.
The BHC had sought approval to change use of the 94 units on the Warwick property — built as affordable housing and adapted for tourism — back to residential.
While the Development Applications Board struck down the request, citing the density of units and number of parking spaces, the BHC launched an appeal against the decision.
According to documents related to the appeal, the BHC had entered discussions about potentially leasing property to the immediate east of the site for additional parking.
A letter signed by Keino Furbert-Jacobs, a project manager at the housing corporation, said the owner of the neighbouring property confirmed that they were willing to lease one acre of land immediately adjoining the development.
The letter stated that the additional land would be incorporated into the development proposal to allow another 84 independently accessible parking spaces and additional motorcycle parking spaces.
An image included in the appeal application showed where a number of parking spaces could be created on the property to the immediate east of Bermudiana Beach.
E-mail communications between the BHC and Wendall Brown last month showed the corporation requesting to “temporarily utilise” his property, describing the parking as essential to ensure the development meets the required parking standards.
The e-mail added that the BHC would be responsible for clearing, preparing and enhancing the site, leaving an “improved parking area” for Mr Brown’s future needs.
Mr Furbert-Jacobs also argued that having 94 units on the site was within permitted density limits given the development site is 5.33 acres.
The report prepared for the DAB listed the application site as 4.48 acres.
Mr Furbert-Jacobs added: “The appellant respectfully submits that the additional information now available materially addresses one of the principal reasons for refusal by providing sufficient land to accommodate the required parking, motorcycle parking, circulation and manoeuvring areas in accordance with the department's transportation objectives.
“The appellant remains committed to working collaboratively with the department and is prepared to formalise the adjoining land lease or enter into any other reasonable legal arrangement that your honourable minister considers appropriate.”
The units on the site were originally developed for the Grand Atlantic affordable housing project but the plans were scrapped after only two of the 78 units built were sold.
It was later announced that the project would be converted into a boutique condominium hotel and rebranded as the Bermudiana Beach Resort, with 94 condo units for sale and 110 hotel keys.
In late 2024, the Government jettisoned the project after an assessment found that the hotel model was no longer financially viable and the units would be put on the rental market once construction was completed.
Zane DeSilva, the Minister of Housing and Municipalities, formally opened the Bermudiana Beach Residences in April 2025.
The application to change the use of the site was submitted in March this year, but in a report prepared for the DAB, technical officers said the 66 car parking spaces on the site were inadequate.
The plans were formally turned down by the DAB on June 3. However, a spokesman for the Ministry of Housing and Municipalities said the status of those who are already residing at the facility would not be affected.
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