Prospect Reef Redevelopment Targeted 2026
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley says a Cabinet paper will clear the way for developers to submit detailed proposals to redevelop the long-derelict Prospect Reef site. The government hopes to select a developer, complete evaluations and break ground in 2026 as part of broader tourism and economic diversification plans.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has indicated the government is preparing to move the long-stalled Prospect Reef Resort redevelopment to the next phase, with an eye to breaking ground in 2026. Speaking on the Virgin Islands Voice programme, Dr Wheatley said a Cabinet paper will be tabled soon to allow entities that submitted expressions of interest to submit full proposals. "We will have those proposals evaluated, and a successful tenderer will win the job to develop Prospect Reef," he said, adding that the government hopes to "break ground in 2026." The Premier described the planned tender process as competitive and transparent.
The Prospect Reef parcel is a 32-acre site near Road Town that was purchased by the government in 2005 for about six million dollars. Once a popular resort and training facility, the property has stood largely abandoned for more than a decade. Successive administrations have floated plans for public–private partnerships to revive the site, but none advanced to construction.
Orlando Smith signalled a partnership with a US developer to build a resort and conference centre; those plans were shelved after the 2017 hurricanes and then by the COVID-19 pandemic. Renewed interest from the Dr Wheatley administration frames Prospect Reef as a potential major tourism and hospitality hub to support economic diversification and local job creation.
Officials say the redevelopment would complement other territory-wide projects, including the airport expansion and revitalisation of the capital, by expanding accommodation and conference capacity to attract higher-value tourism. Several practical steps remain before construction can begin.
The government will evaluate detailed proposals from qualified developers, then select a winning bidder. Following selection, projects of this scale typically require planning and environmental approvals, infrastructure assessments, and community consultations — all of which can affect timing and scope.
Local stakeholders will be watching for details on procurement rules, local content requirements, employment guarantees and environmental safeguards. For many residents, the redevelopment represents potential jobs and business opportunities, but also raises questions about coastal preservation, traffic, and integration with Road Town’s revitalisation.
The Cabinet paper and subsequent tender documents should provide clarity on timelines, evaluation criteria and how the government plans to balance economic benefits with environmental and social considerations. Residents interested in the process should follow official government notices for the formal tender launch and public consultations.
Primary source: BVI News