A new commercial development in downtown Kingston is targeting extended economic activity beyond traditional business hours.

105 Water Lane — led by Peckish restaurant owner and CEO Joseph Johnson under his new brand, Concepts by J, marking his move into real estate — is aiming to retain corporate spending in the city after 5 pm.

“I don’t believe downtown Kingston should only exist from 9 to 5. We should not be clocking out at 5 o’clock just to sit in traffic for hours, heading somewhere else to live our lives,” Johnson expressed during the launch over the weekend.

The two-floor, 2,680 square foot commercial space has been in development for more than four years and is now being prepared for rental. The concept is rooted in the daily movement of the corporate workforce, where significant activity is generated during the day but leaves the city centre once offices close. As such, the property is being positioned to attract long-term tenants, including art studios, cafés and other creative concepts, with an additional terrace space for events.

While speaking at the launch, Johnson pointed to global examples such as SoHo and the Meatpacking District, both in Manhattan, New York, which were originally industrial but were transformed into hubs for art galleries, fashion, and a mix of restaurants, nightlife, offices and creative spaces. Noting that these places didn’t stay “9–5 business zones” and instead evolved into live-work-play districts where people stay after work to eat, socialise, create and spend money, he believes this is something downtown Kingston should replicate.

“A city should not empty itself when the workday ends; it should come alive,” Johnson said.

The 105 Water Lane location is intended to be a place for creators, entrepreneurs, builders, thinkers, performers, designers, innovators, and anyone with something to offer to the city. The building itself, located on the Art Walk corridor, was originally purchased in the 1990s by his father, Michael Johnson, for additional business space but was never fully utilised. It has now been repurposed to align with the area’s evolving creative and cultural direction. While the types of tenants will ultimately shape the space, practical considerations such as parking will also play a role, with about 10 guaranteed parking spots available nearby. The development comes amid long-standing efforts to revitalise downtown Kingston as a commercial and cultural hub. Over the past decade the Government, through the Urban Development Corporation, has been advancing plans under the Downtown Kingston Redevelopment Project to improve residential, business and recreational activity in the area. For Johnson, however, the issue remains one of reinvestment.

“Water Lane sits in the heart of downtown, Kingston, yet one question has always stayed with me: Why is it that so much of the economic activity that powers this country is earned downtown yet so little of it is reinvested, experienced, or enjoyed downtown?” he asked.

The broader dynamics within the downtown property market have many listings priced in US dollars, with Johnson describing it as a “property grab” environment, with some owners holding out ahead of future large-scale development. He shared that with this new commercial hub he hopes other owners of seemingly abandoned buildings will be encouraged to start renovations towards realising the full potential of the area.

“The spending power that is downtown needs to remain downtown and reinvested downtown,” he told the
Jamaica Observer.

(From left) CEO of KSAMC, Robert Hill, CEO Joseph Johnson, director, Sade Johnson and Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby.

On the terrace upstairs at 105 Water Lane.

105 Water lane overlooks downtown Kingston’s commercial hub and waterfront, the building is well positioned along the Art Walk corridor. 

An overhead image of specially invited guests for the launch of 105 Water Lane.