NEARLY a decade after sitting on the market, the family led LP Azar Group is making another attempt at offloading Somerset Falls in Portland.

The 135-acre property is going for US$2.5 million or $390 million in local currency.

Somerset Falls, located in Portland, Jamaica, is a natural attraction renowned for its tropical beauty and cascading waterfalls. Nestled in a secluded area near Port Antonio, the main feature of Somerset Falls is its waterfall which flows through a series of limestone cliffs and pools before emptying into the sea.

The property has largely been pitched as an ideal location for ecotourism development. In fact, a few years ago a group of doctors operating under a lease-to-buy agreement with Somerset Falls owner Andrew Azar, disclosed plans to transform a section of the tourist attraction into a wellness resort and spa.

Visitors can explore the area by taking a guided boat tour up the river to the base of the waterfall.

In addition to the waterfall, Somerset Falls boasts a landscaped garden filled with exotic plants and flowers, making it a popular spot for nature lovers and photographers alike. There are also walking trails found throughout the forest.

Parts of the property were used as an old sugar plantation but, under the ownership of the LP Azar Group, these have been developed to include a swimming pool with waterslide, restaurant, restrooms, and more.

It was reported that construction had also commenced for the wellness retreat by Delta Wellness Spa Limited. Details were that Delta Wellness intended to build 50 rooms in the hills of Somerset Falls, as part of the redevelopment, and would also rebrand the tourist hot spot to reflect its new line of services.

The attraction was closed for renovation but then reopened to visitors. It’s unclear what became of those plans, but the property is now being advertised for sale under CD Alexander Realty.

The LP Azar Group, led by Andrew Azar, is involved in various business ventures. Its primary businesses include textiles and home furnishings through LP Azar; security services with KingAlarm; frozen yogurt with its Tutti Frutti franchise; and real estate development with CD Alexander Company, which was acquired from the Musson Group in 2013.

The roots of LP Azar trace back to the 1960s when Andrew Azar’s grandfather founded the company as a wholesale fabric provider.