Newly Redeveloped Waterfront Hub Set to Boost Business and Tourism in Castries

The journey toward modernising Saint Lucia’s capital took a significant step forward with the grand opening of the Anchorage on the Waterfront, a newly redeveloped commercial and tourism hub in Castries.

Formerly known as the Castries Market Box Park, the transformed space is expected to become a vibrant centre for culture, commerce, and tourism.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Parliamentary Representative for Castries Central, Richard Frederick, declared, “Development in this country has just started. We have far to go.” 

He stressed the challenges faced during redevelopment, particularly in convincing some businesses to embrace change, but stressed that progress sometimes requires disruption.

“In the name of development of this country, sometimes we have to be disenfranchised. We have to be disturbed—not necessarily taking the bread from your mouth, but doing it in a manner that is aesthetically appealing and lends accord to the tourism that this country so heavily depends on,” he said.

“This facility is not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating opportunities. We have turned what was once an underutilised space into a vibrant commercial hub that will enhance the tourism experience and provide a better environment for our local entrepreneurs.”

Frederick urged vendors in the area, particularly those in the coconut business, to maintain clean and sanitary surroundings, noting that he encountered rodents while preparing the site for the grand opening.

The Anchorage on the Waterfront is one of the flagship projects under the US$18 million OECS Regional Tourism Competitiveness Project (ORTCP), a World Bank-funded programme aimed at strengthening tourism and economic opportunities in Saint Lucia, Grenada, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Donalyn Vittet, highlighted the long road to completion, recalling that discussions about improving the waterfront date back to 2012-2013 when a tourism strategy and action plan first highlighted the need to better utilise the waterfront. After multiple attempts to secure funding for various redevelopment ideas, a financing agreement was signed in 2017. Despite setbacks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was restructured in 2021 to focus on product enhancement and community tourism.

With the completion of the Anchorage, Vittet noted that additional projects are in the pipeline. 

“The projects listed in the final restructuring will [include] the Castries Market Redevelopment Phase Two, which is the Anchorage on the Waterfront, Gros Islet Recreational Park, Marigot Redevelopment Phase One, as well as the Underwater Sculpture Park,” she said.

She also expressed gratitude to the World Bank and project leaders, describing the ORTCP as one of the largest public sector investments in Saint Lucia’s tourism sector.

The Anchorage on the Waterfront is set to house a diverse range of businesses, including the Saint Lucia Marketing Board, local craft vendors, restaurants, beauty services, and retail stores. Entrepreneurs now have a modern space to showcase Saint Lucian products and services while attracting both residents and visitors.

As part of the launch event, Export Saint Lucia and the Caribbean Development Bank officially handed over a truck to the Saint Lucia Marketing Board, further supporting local agricultural trade.