Jamaica’s Urban Development Corporation, UDC says they will be developing a two-storey restaurant and bar that seats over 150 patrons at Dunn’s River Park in the resort town of Ocho Rios.
“The building will overlook the cascading falls and give prime view of the falls, thus further enhancing our guests’ experience,” said UDC, a development agency of the Jamaican government that owns and manages multiple assets along Jamaica’s shoreline and elsewhere.
The building design will seek to blend into the natural landscape to promote the “rustic and eco-friendly environs”. This development is part of the UDC’s multi-phased project to enhance the world-famous attraction. As owners and operators of Dunn’s River Falls & Park, the UDC wants to update and improve the offerings at the attraction.
The park features a number of stores and shops but they are generally small units that are better described as kiosks. The restaurant will be an exception.
The development will offer a large space for dining and lounging, spanning roughly 150 seats, based on an analysis of the designs.
It will add to the entertainment offerings, which includes relaxing on the beach, climb the falls, and ziplining across the facility.
“The objective for the development of a new restaurant and bar is to allow the world-renowned attraction to improve its offerings to cater to the fulsome needs of the growing culinary tourism market,” the UDC said.
The agency is currently seeking a contractor to build the facility, but declined to comment on the cost of the project, citing “government procurement regulations”.
The timelines for construction will be revealed after the selection of the contractor, it said.
As for the restaurant’s operator, the UDC plans to go to market for a concessionaire.
The UDC’s remit includes launching developments that enhance the lives of the majority. Its projects include commercial developments, parks and amenities, housing, shoreline development and infrastructure. It expects to generate $4.7 billion in revenue for the current fiscal year, with a projected profit of $2.6 billion, an improvement from previous losses.
