WITH only three units each still available in their Charosa and Reif towers, Vista Montego Bay Resort’s principals Krystal Hyman and Claudette Crooks are already looking ahead to starting the final three towers in July 2026.

The ambitious US$130-million project is located on prime real estate in a section of Montego Bay that appears set to finally benefit from years of talk about transformation.

“Charosa is substantially sold out, though a limited number of residences remain available. At present, we have two two-bedroom units and one one-bedroom unit. These are priced from US$370,000 and up,” the developers told the Jamaica Observer’s Real Estate on the Rock in written replies last Thursday.

“The Reif will feature a mix of one- and two-bedroom residences designed with modern luxury in mind. At this stage, only three one-bedroom units remain available. Current pre-sale pricing begins at US$400,000 and up,” they added.

Ground was recently broken for The Reif Tower and, based on the floor plans, these one-bedroom 789-square feet units each have 1.5 baths and a balcony. The plans are still being designed for The Towers Trilogy — made up of the Brisa, Sanctus, and Elysian towers — and the goal is for the entire project to be wrapped up by 2029.

According to developers, each tower is inspired by Jamaica’s natural elements and culture. There are sweeping ocean views, and the list of amenities includes “infinity pool and jacuzzi, surrounded by shaded pavilions, grill areas, palm-lined gardens, and a family-friendly play zone”, fitness centres, rooftop lounges, wellness spa, fine dining, dedicated concierge services, and secure parking.

Rendering of Vista Montego Bay’s Reif Tower, for which ground was broken in August.

In outlining factors that set Vista Montego Bay Resort apart from other developments, marketing material references an eco-smart design which incorporates “energy-efficient systems, natural ventilation, and locally sourced materials for a lighter footprint and cooler living”.

There is gated access with full-time security, rooftop view corridors, multi-purpose clubhouse, modern co-working spaces, on-site laundry, storage lockers, bike racks, covered parking, and secure service corridors.

While the recent August 13 groundbreaking was a significant milestone, Vista Montego Bay Resort has been years in the making. Its history dates back to 1953, when The Miranda Hill Hotel (later renamed Miranda Lodge) opened its doors.

“In 1984, Charlie Hinds acquired it in a landmark deal, transforming it into Lifestyle Resorts and then The Vista Ambassador. After financial struggles, the property closed, but the vision endured,” the current principals explained.

That vision is for a resort-residential development with amenities that provide all the essentials of a luxury lifestyle. This will include on-site property management for the Trilogy Towers.

This is the architect’s vision for Vista Montego Bay’s Trilogy Towers. Work is expected to begin on them in July 2026.

“In October 2022, Vista Montego Bay Resort was formally relaunched with a US$100-million price tag and a projected 48-month completion timeline. That has since expanded to an approximate US$130-million investment into the Montego Bay real estate market. That groundbreaking marked the beginning of a multi-phase resurrection of the iconic site,” the developers told Real Estate on the Rock. “Overall, the master plan envisions five residential buildings across multiple phases.”

The architect of record is Kingston-based Virtuoso Architects, and the project will also benefit from the expertise of Adache Group Architects — an international firm responsible for the W Hotel in Fort Lauderdale and 250 other global landmark developments. Adache designed four of the five residential buildings on the property, including The Towers Trilogy.

The development is a joint venture between MoneyMasters Real Estate & Infrastructure Investments and C&H Property Development. Vista Montego Bay Resorts Development Limited was established as a special purpose vehicle for its execution.

A glossy brochure tells potential buyers why they need to get in early, listing possible incentives such as lower pre-launch prices, complimentary consultation on interior styling for select units, lock-in options with minimal deposits for early reservations, and customised payment plans for investors from the diaspora. There is also legal support available for buyers from outside of Jamaica.

Developers are convinced that their timing is right and that the project aligns with growth in the Jamaican economy, “global interest in Caribbean luxury real estate, and Montego Bay’s emergence as a premier investment destination”.

Other major projects under way in the western resort city include the US$450-million, four-tower, 28-storey high The Pinnacle at Reading — the first phase of which is slated for completion in 2027. Ground was broken earlier this year for the US$700-million 1,200-room Moon Palace and there have long been plans to develop a Hard Rock Resort and Casino in Montego Bay. That development forms part of a broader investment project, which also includes the UNICO 18°77° Hotel Jamaica, currently under construction, and the planned AVA Resort Jamaica.

Closer to Vista Montego Bay, which is located on Montego Bay’s Jimmy Cliff Boulevard (formerly called the Hip Strip), there are plans for a 165-room lifestyle hotel — the AC Marriott Montego Bay. Ground is expected to be broken for that later this year and its doors are set to open in 2027. There have also been notable moves such as Montego Bay’s iconic Wexford Hotel being transformed into Hotel 39.

Speaking during the August ground-breaking ceremony for Vista Montego Bay, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett noted that developments being undertaken are fuelling a rebirth of the sector, which will solidify Montego Bay’s position as “the most significant tourism hub in the region within the next five years”.

“The premium travel market is thriving, and Jamaica is ready to seize its share by offering not just opulence, but authentic luxury — rich in culture, care, and comfort. I am confident that Claudette Crooks and Constantine Hinds, together with their teams from C&H Property Development Company and MoneyMasters Real Estate & Infrastructure Investment Limited, will make the Vista a lasting symbol of Jamaican ingenuity and our vision for the future,” he said.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett (centre) and Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon (second left) are joined, on August 13, 2025, by executives of Vista Montego Bay Resort Development Ltd (VMBRDL) in breaking ground for the second phase of the US$130-million project. Chairman of MoneyMasters Real Estate Investment Fund Michael McNaughton (left); VMBRDL Director Kenneth Livingston (second right); and VMBRDL Chairman Dean Burrowes (right). The ceremony took place at the resort’s site on Jimmy Cliff Boulevard.

The project is expected to generate employment and other positive spin-offs for the western city.

As the developers noted, “Vista Montego Bay is more than a real estate project — it’s an economic catalyst for Montego Bay, creating jobs, boosting tourism, and raising Jamaica’s global profile. It’s also a legacy project: a way for Jamaicans at home and abroad to ‘own the view and a piece of the Rock’, building wealth and heritage for generations. Plus, it is wholly Jamaican-owned.”