Neighbourhood shopping plaza planned for West Bay

West Bay could get a neighbourhood-style shopping plaza with a restaurant, coffee shop, stores and residences if plans are approved by the planning board.

Plans for Westbridge Plaza on West Bay Road opposite Foster’s Republix supermarket have just been filed with the Central Planning Authority. The proposed development will contain four commercial buildings as well as four triplexes, a cabana and a swimming pool, with each block containing two two-bedroom homes and one three-bedroom home.

The land belongs to the family of the late Benson O. Ebanks, OBE, who used to live there and who was made a National Hero earlier this year.

Omar McLean of OA+D Architects, who drew up the plans, said that the family were keen for the development to reflect the local, low-key character of West Bay.

“At the start, it was going to be taller and modern and colourful, but the family were insistent that it should fit into the surrounding environment,” said McLean. “It now looks more traditional and it’s going to be a good addition to the area, with local stores and family homes.”

Plans for the project were initially submitted in 2021 and discussed by the National Conservation Council but were later withdrawn so that the designs could be redrawn to make it more in keeping with the local character. Last year, planning permission was given to a 40 ft-high residential building on Heritage Square by the four-way stop which attracted complaints from local residents who said it did not fit in with the local area.  

“The family are very serious about how they want the site to look,” McLean said. “They really want to do a good job.”

Notes from the NCC’s discussions of the project in 2022 expressed the hope that the house on the site, which was built in 1927, could be saved, but it is understood to be beyond repair. 

It is hoped that one of the buildings on the site could house a restaurant, while fast-food chains, including Wendy’s and Al La Kebab, are understood to have expressed an interest in the project. McLean said that there were also plans for a small hardware store and a coffee shop. After retiring from public life, Ebanks spent much of his time running the family hardware store, which was a notable fixture in West Bay life. 

Ebanks, who passed in 2022, became the Cayman Islands’ 15th National Hero in January.

Premier André Ebanks, who made the announcement, highlighted Ebanks’ pivotal role in the construction of major infrastructure, including the Government Administration Building, a new legislative building, George Town port, six primary schools and extensive road works from West Bay to Bodden Town.

He was also involved in the establishment of the Lighthouse School, Radio Cayman and Cayman Airways and served almost 30 years in public office as an elected representative of West Bay, during which he led a number of government ministries, including education, health, social services and environment.