Up to half a dozen tenants have been handed keys and will open their shops by June at the Old Fort Bay Town Centre.
Work on the new $30 million development in western New Providence continues to progress rapidly, according to Marcus Grammatico, vice president of finance and secretary at the New Providence Development Company Limited (NPDC). Phase one of the retail section at the town center, containing up to 10 businesses, can now begin renovations to the shops. Eight leases have already signed up for this phase, bringing the development that much closer to becoming the commercial hub of the West.
"We have been turning units over and they should start fitting out in short order," Grammatico said. "We're getting ready for the net phase of the landscaping for the retail space, so when it opens, it looks cohesive with Solomon's."
Solomon's Fresh Market, the multimillion-dollar "anchor" to the project, has helped drive demand for retail spots through its success as a leading supermarket on the island.
The first shops to open at the town center, Grammatico added, will be retail outlets that require minimal mechanical and structural work. Clothing shops, a liquor store and a post office are among the new businesses expected to take up position in short order.
Guardian Business understands that developers have also come to a preliminary agreement with a restauranteur that plans to take up 1,600 square feet. While NPDC is not yet ready to make an announcement, the restaurant is indeed a local company providing "unique" fare.
"The tenants are definitely excited to get going given the response to the area so far. A lot of them are coming from more congested areas and have a lot of clients out west, and they are challenged due to location and parking," Grammatico explained.
Meanwhile, the second phase of the town center, containing at least another 10 spaces for businesses, "should be done in record time". Christmas is ethnically the completion date, although NPDC anticipates it could be done even faster.
Jane-Michele Bethel, sales and marketing manager at NPDC, said 90 percent of the units in phase two are spoken for, "but we are still looking for one more restaurant for this phase".
On the second level, office space is also being offered, and a marketing and sales campaign should begin in the coming weeks to attract tenants.
As for the seven one-acre plots lining Windsor Field Road, Bethel said three still remain available. The Royal Bank of Canada and Shell have reportedly snapped up two of these spots.
This stage of development will come later, as will the second "anchor" of the town center.
NPDC is looking to entice a major hardware or department store to western New Providence, with this stage of development slated sometime in 2013.
"This side of the island is starving for a good store," Grammatico said. "But beyond that, we want to do something special. This development represents the ability to purchase the things you need in an appealing, aesthetic atmosphere to service the western community."

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