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| Butler House - Old "Islander" Hotel |
The walls of the bombed remains of Butler House, the former official office of slain Prime Minister, Maurice Bishop came crumbling down on Monday as British investor, Peter de Savary begins work in earnest on his billion dollar project in the Spice Isle.
Marshall’s Construction company has been given the task to demolish the historical building which was formerly known as the Islander hotel prior to Bishop’s People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) coming into office during the 1979-83 Grenada Revolution.
According to company officials, the demolition work should be completed within two days.
The building is expected to be replaced with a 120 room 5-star hotel - a major component of de Savary’s EC$1.5 billion Port Louis project on the island.
As part of the plan, the English-born businessman would be enhancing the Cinnamon Hill hotel which he recently purchased from the state-run National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
The hotel would be upgraded to include twenty-one world class rooms with pool and club house amenities in time for the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
The investor is also trying to restore Mt. Edgecombe Plantation in St. Mark to provide a natural, organic and back to nature experience for its clients.
Speaking to reporters minutes before the demolition began, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation , Senator Brenda Hood said that de Savary is very committed to the development of the country and that his multi-million dollar project will create lots of job opportunities for Grenadians and local contractors.
She stated that the project will transform the entire Lagoon area and by extension the Carenage.
Minister Hood disclosed that plans are ongoing to have the squatters occupying lands owned by the Port Louis developers relocated to areas being allocated by government.
She said that all squatters should be removed by early next year.
