Camana Bay, Cayman Islands

Camana Bay, Cayman Islands
Master Planned New Urbanism Community
CountryCayman Islands
Overseas TerritoryUnited Kingdom
IslandGrand Cayman
Established2007
Area
 • Total
277 ha (685 acres)
Time zoneEST
Area code+1-345

Camana Bay is a master planned waterfront community located near Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.[1] Spanning 685 acres the new urbanism development incorporates residential, commercial, educational, and recreational facilities, as well as five courtyards and a 75-foot observation tower that provides views of the island’s landscape.[2][3] The walkable Camana Bay community includes retail stores, restaurants, cafes, a cinema, fitness centers, medical facilities, walking trails and a mix of residential options such as apartments, condominiums, townhouses, and duplexes.[4][5] Camana Bay also includes a harbour and marina offering boat and kayak access to the North Sound area.[6][7][1]

History

The concept for Camana Bay began in 1995, led by Cayman Islands-based billionaire businessman and investor Kenneth B. Dart. The initial planning phase lasted approximately ten years and included the cultivation of a plant nursery for the community’s landscaping.[5][1]

Construction began in the mid-2000s, with Cayman International School opening in 2006 as the first completed building.[8][9] The school, a private institution serving nursery through grade 12, expanded in 2015 and again in 2021 through funding from the Kenneth B. Dart Foundation.[10]

The first commercial building, 62 Forum Lane, opened in November 2007, followed by the launch of various retail and entertainment venues. Since its inception, Camana Bay has grown to include a variety of dining, retail, and entertainment establishments.[5][11][6]

The development incorporates sustainability features such as solar panels, solar-powered lighting, rainwater cisterns for non-potable uses, LEED-certified air systems, and drought-tolerant landscaping.[12]

In 2018, a residential project known as OLEA was announced. Located south of the town center, OLEA consists of condominiums, townhomes, and duplexes.[13][14] Additional health infrastructure followed, including a radiotherapy center in 2021 equipped with the region’s first Siemens TrueBeam Varian Linear Accelerator, and the 2024 opening of Health City Camana Bay, a 70,000-square-foot hospital.[15]

Accessibility

Camana Bay is accessible by car within approximately 10 minutes from George Town or Owen Roberts International Airport. A pedestrian bridge known as The Rise connects the development with Seven Mile Beach, providing a link from the Caribbean Sea to the North Sound. Boat access is available via the Camana Bay Harbour, and a ferry service connects the area to the North Side.[16][17][6][18]

Recognition

In 2010, Camana Bay received the Cayman Islands Governor’s Award for Design and Construction Excellence.[19] In 2016, 18 Forum Lane received the same award and was recognized as the first commercial building in the Cayman Islands to receive LEED Gold certification.[20]

Several buildings within the Camana Bay community have been recognized with International Property Awards.[15]

In September 2025, Camana Bay was named a finalist for the 2025 Urban Land Institute Southeast Florida/Caribbean Vision Awards – Project of the Year.[21] The nomination highlighted Camana Bay’s integrated design of residential, commercial, educational, and recreational spaces, with an emphasis on walkability, sustainability, and a Caribbean sense of identity.[21]

References

  1. ^ a b c "History of Camana Bay". Explore Cayman. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  2. ^ Sweet, Joni. "What's The Best Kept Secret On Grand Cayman?". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  3. ^ Kent, Jonathan (2020-02-14). "Dart: billionaire's business drives Cayman's development boom". Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  4. ^ "This Stunning Caribbean Island Combines an Incredible Food Scene With White-sand Beaches — and It's Easy to Get to From the U.S." Travel + Leisure. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  5. ^ a b c "Camana Bay celebrates a decade of development". 10 November 2017.
  6. ^ a b c Akkam, Anahid (2025-02-15). "The Cayman Islands' Family-Friendly Paradise Is A Walkable Waterfront Town With Luxury Retail". Islands. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  7. ^ Forbes, Jemima. "The 17 top things to do in Grand Cayman". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  8. ^ "Cayman International School opens". Cayman Compass. 8 September 2006.
  9. ^ "Cayman International School upgrades and expands". Cayman Compass. 31 January 2016.
  10. ^ "Cayman International School plans $45 million expansion". Cayman Compass. 10 April 2018.
  11. ^ "CIS marks a decade at Camana Bay". Cayman Compass. 11 September 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  12. ^ Markoff, Alan (2016-01-29). "Environmentally friendly office building opens at Camana Bay". Cayman Compass. Archived from the original on 2025-05-01. Retrieved 2025-10-14.
  13. ^ Wittaker, James (1 November 2018). "Dart launches first Camana Bay community for home buyers". Cayman Compass. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  14. ^ Silva, Ken (2019-04-28). "Work starts on Camana Bay residential community". Cayman Compass. Archived from the original on 2022-07-06. Retrieved 2025-10-09.
  15. ^ a b "Dart plans 'health hub' in Camana Bay - Cayman Islands Headline News". Cayman News Service. 2024-08-28. Retrieved 2025-10-09.
  16. ^ Lawless, Katherine (2025-01-10). "Swim with stingrays and sea turtles on Grand Cayman, a tropical haven". www.startribune.com. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  17. ^ "Starbucks opens in Camana Bay". Camana Bay. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  18. ^ "New ferry service for North Sound - Cayman Compass". Cayman Compass. 2016-07-11. Archived from the original on 2020-10-29. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  19. ^ Markoff, Alan (7 December 2010). "Old and new get top honours for design and construction". Cayman Compass. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  20. ^ "Another Financial Servicer Takes Space at Camana Bay". benefitspro.com. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  21. ^ a b Staff (2025-09-09). "Camana Bay named finalist for major development award". Cayman Compass. Archived from the original on 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camana_Bay,_Cayman_Islands