The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) is aware of feedback circulating on social media about the construction taking place at the Courtyard at Devon House.
The Jamaica development, which began in March 2022, seeks to address concerns expressed about safety, pedestrian flow, courtyard functionality and accessibility for the differently-abled. The statement continues:
We would like to assure the public that the project is not complete and does not include improvements to other areas of the property. To allow the public to use the facility for the Christmas season, TEF suspended the rehabilitation work for the upcoming holidays.
The completed space will feature more plants to ensure the public can continue to enjoy the oasis in the middle of the city as they shop and enjoy Devon House’s gastronomic delights, including the world-famous Devon House I-Scream. Furthermore, we assure the public that the area will appear more lush once the trees are allowed to mature, the shrubs are planted and the vines begin to grow into the pergolas.
Only one tree was removed during the construction process. The TEF decided to remove the poinciana tree following a review by the Forestry Department, which recommended its removal for public safety. They also advised that “ultimately it was better to err on the side of caution by replacing the old tree with a new sapling that can be trained to conform to standards acceptable from the safety context.” We therefore followed this advice and planted a new Lignum Vitae tree in its place. In addition, with the removal of the Poinciana tree, six other trees have been planted, including a Blue Mahoe, Lignum Vitae and Cordia Sebestena, as well as various plants and shrubs.
Given the rich history and importance of Devon House to all Jamaicans, there must be ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation to ensure its sustainability.
The redevelopment was therefore very timely as we strive to preserve our historic and cultural spaces across the island.
The redesign specifically addressed the following issues:
1. Uneven surfaces from nearby tree roots
The uneven surfaces posed a potential hazard to customers, which could have resulted in Devon House becoming liable for injuries sustained by customers.
2. Poor drainage, which led to flooding when it rained
Flooding following the rains prevented easy access to the area for visitors and caused damage to walkways used by patrons.
3. Limited places for customers
As the number of visitors to Devon House increased, the number of places in the area was insufficient. It limited the ability of patrons to sit and enjoy the atmosphere and ambiance of the patio.
4. Challenges related to the movement of customers within the area
The previous design of the area did not allow for ease of movement when traversing the various shops and restaurants in the Courtyard. Additionally, it did not include enough ramps to allow differently-abled visitors, or people with strollers, access to patio seating, as well as shops and restaurants.
process
The design process took three years and respected all the necessary protocols. It started with a land survey of the area and various concepts were developed by GW Architects, which were selected through a tendering process. To address the challenges, senior members of TEF, the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and Devon House reviewed these concepts.
The optimal design was then submitted to the Jamaica National Heritage Trust and the Kingston and St. John’s Municipal Corporation for approval. Andrew (KSAMC). Stakeholder groups were consulted by the TEF and the design was later approved by the Public Procurement Commission and the Cabinet Office. Following this, TEF participated in a groundbreaking ceremony in March before construction began. The project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023.
Percentage of Construction
Devon House is 4.96 acres, and Devon House Yard is approximately 0.12 acres. This represents 2.4% of the property that has been redeveloped.
