A sweeping transformation is underway at Mount Pimard, where construction is in full swing for a luxurious multi-concept development.
Once celebrated for its scenic hiking trail—offering glimpses of a historic World War II base and panoramic views of Saint Lucia’s northern coastline—the site is now poised to become a wellness and hospitality destination.
The project, set to open in phases, includes refurbishing and expanding the former Caribbean Jewel Beach Resort, which will become TheLifeCo Holistic Wellness Resort, by the end of phase one—between June and August.
TheLifeCo, known for its holistic healing methods and focus on disease reversal, operates resorts in Turkey and Thailand.
Candy Nicholas, a spokesperson for A’ILA Resorts, expressed her excitement about the project. “To have a company internationally recognised for its wellness programs come here and integrate with what we’re already doing—along with the land’s natural offerings, like the sulphur springs and forest—is truly exciting for our tourism product as a whole,” she said.
Over the next three to four years, the development will expand to include a family-oriented resort, an adults-only resort, luxury villas, residences, and retail spaces.
Nicholas told reporters as Invest Saint Lucia and A’ILA Resorts hosted a media tour to showcase the progress, that the development has already attracted the interest of some high-profile figures because of the company’s “huge reputation” globally.
“We have been able to attract the attention of some world-class and world-famous athletes and other celebrities who have come to see what this is all about and who have expressed their interest in getting homes here and being involved on one level or another,” she said.
Officials also addressed concerns about the preservation of historic artefacts and access to the beach and hiking trail during and after the construction phase.
The site includes remnants of a WWII-era jetty. “The structure, the foundation so to speak, is still there, so that is going to be used for one of the jetties, and a lot of respect is being paid to the historical relics that exist on this site,” Nicholas said.
Werner Houson of the Department of Physical Planning reassured the public that beach access will remain unaffected, with vendors operating from a newly built beach park. Regarding temporary partitions along the shoreline, he cited safety reasons.
“It’s critical that the beach area and the development site be separated,” Houson explained. “You cannot have persons walking into the development site and have heavy equipment moving, (and) you have things overhead.”
At present, the hiking trail is inaccessible but Nicholas indicated that status was unavoidable because the area is still a very active construction site. “There are certain hazards that come with that,” she said. “So we’re trying to find a way to still give people access when the hotel opens and when it’s no longer such a dangerous site. But we’re looking into how we can make everybody happy because we know that a lot of people enjoy unlimited access to the trail.”
