The Central Planning Authority (CPA) has granted planning permission for an CI$86 million, 157-apartment and commercial development in George Town.
Approval of the Boilers Road project in a general commercial zone comes two years after the CPA refused a similar application from Legoland Real Estate Ltd.
The former proposal featured 162 units, which the authority said would have “the highest density on Grand Cayman”.
The newly approved project, named The Eldemire, includes 193 bedrooms, ground-floor commercial space, a pool, a gym and 242 parking spaces on a 1.468-acre site.
At its 24 June meeting when the application was approved, the CPA established a series of conditions to be met by the developer, according to the minutes published on 9 July.
This included proof that the site boundaries have been set by a licensed land surveyor and that documentation be submitted to the pertinent departments regarding stormwater management, wastewater treatment, landscaping and parking.
Regarding the decision to approve the new site plans, following a series of adjournments, the CPA determined the proposal complied with Development and Planning Regulations (2024 Revision).
In particular section 13(8), which establishes the permissibility of residential developments in commercial zones if the residences are not on the ground floor and do not occupy more than 80% of the building’s floor area.
“The authority thought carefully about this proposal and the fact that as far as the authority is aware this might be the first such large apartment development in a commercial zone,” read the CPA meeting minutes.
“The authority found nothing in the Development Plan, Act or Regulations that allowed the authority to consider the suitability of apartments in non-residential zones.”
To address congestion concerns related to the development, the National Roads Authority (NRA) conducted a traffic study on Boilers Road in September 2025.
The NRA concluded that about 5,019 vehicles travel the road per day on weekdays and that the development would add an additional 590 to 848 trips a day.
The NRA ended up expressing its support for the development as a positive for the George Town Revitalisation Initiative and efforts to develop a less car-centric environment.
“The conventional concern about traffic generation is based on an outdated, single-use zoning model which serves only to increase vehicle journeys by separated land use,” the NRA said.
“This new development, with its mix of residential and commercial spaces, generates less traffic than a similar-sized single use development.”
The applicant also framed the proposal as beneficial for the George Town Revitalisation Initiative, saying it would “bring life” to George Town.
No objections were received for the approved application.
CPA board member Troy Powery declared a conflict of interest and left the room for the item and the remainder of the 24 June meeting.
