Bridgetown’s Economic Revival: Historic Capital City Embraces Transformative Development in 2025

A Historic Transformation Underway

Bridgetown is entering a bold new chapter with the launch of The Pierhead, a transformative mixed-use development within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison. The project will integrate homes, shops, restaurants, cultural spaces, and green public areas to create a vibrant community destination.

The project has received strong governmental support, with Prime Minister Mia Mottley endorsing the initiative as a significant step forward in Bridgetown’s ongoing regeneration.

Record-Breaking Port Performance

The Port of Bridgetown has achieved a remarkable milestone, processing over 1,000 containers in a single week between August 16 and 22, marking a 13% increase over its previous record. This surge coincided with increased construction activity, CARIFESTA XV, and the Crop Over Festival. For context, the port typically handles around 500 containers weekly.

Hospitality Sector Expansion

Barbados is experiencing one of its most active periods of hotel development, with nearly one billion U.S. dollars in new hospitality projects currently under construction. These developments are significantly expanding the island’s room capacity while generating substantial employment and economic activity.

Economic Outlook

The economic forecast for 2025 projects a 2.7% real GDP growth, slightly adjusted from the initial 3% forecast. Despite some global headwinds, growth is expected to be driven by tourism, construction, and business services.

While Barbados is on track to meet its medium-term goals, the country faces several key challenges requiring attention, including population ageing, crime, food security, and supply chain resilience. The home-grown Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) programme, alongside the “Investment in Prosperity and Resilience” plan, continues to guide the nation toward inclusive, climate-conscious growth.