THE PALMS, LITTLE CAYMAN COTTAGES (LATE 2024)

Building in Paradise: Davenport Development’s inaugural modular home construction.

As tropical paradises go, it doesn’t get much better than Little Cayman. A tiny isle of sandy roads, sleeping iguanas, and sparkling, white sand beaches, the smallest
of the Cayman Islands rarely fails to charm with its pristine nature and unparalleled tranquillity.

However, the island's remote, undeveloped nature also presents its greatest challenge, particularly when it comes to building.

CONSTRUCTION CHALLENGES IN LITTLE CAYMAN

Little Cayman is an extremely costly and complicated place to build.

First, there is the price of concrete. In typical MCU or ICF builds, concrete is the most expensive component of a construction project – and in Little Cayman, the cost
of concrete is almost twice that of Grand Cayman.

The second is shipping. Every roof tile, piece of lumber, pot of paint, and box of nails has to be shipped, either directly from Miami or from Grand Cayman. This adds to the cost, timeline, and uncertainty in the logistics and associated supply chain costs.

And then there is the question of the workforce. Little Cayman is home to just two full-time builders who are – unsurprisingly – booked up for years to come. The options
are, therefore, either to wait or assume the cost of transporting and housing builders, electricians, plumbers, and more from Grand Cayman.

So while acquiring a beachfront lot in Little Cayman may be more affordable than in Grand Cayman, constructing a home is twice as expensive and can take a good deal longer.

A POTENTIAL SOLUTION

Davenport Development believes modular homes could be the solution.

“The concept of modular homes has been kicked around a fair bit in Cayman,” says Dan DeFinis, CEO at Davenport Development. “But it’s problematic, either because the homes are not hurricane-proof or because the modules made in factories are larger than a shipping container, so to get them here incurs oversize charges, which gets extremely expensive.”

Davenport Development, a company with a history of innovation in construction, is pioneering a modular system from a UK-based manufacturer that overcomes these issues. They are trialing it in Little Cayman to track every dollar involved in building modular homes on that remote island. At the end of the project, they will have a clear picture of the total cost of building this way compared to traditional construction methods.

THE MODULAR SYSTEM

The hurricane-resistant modular building designs, which range from traditional Caribbean to contemporary in style, are composed of sturdy steel beams and columns with wall panels that bolt into them. Other than the foundations, no concrete is required to construct these homes.

Because the homes come in kit form, DeFinis explains, all doors, windows, flooring, bathroom equipment, kitchen cabinetry, and wall finishes are included, which eliminates much of the risk associated with price fluctuations. And as they
are precision engineered in a factory, they can be assembled relatively quickly on-site, reducing labour costs.

THE LITTLE CAYMAN COTTAGES

Davenport Development’s test project comprises two Caribbean-style cottages on the island’s south shore, which, when complete, will be offered as short-term rentals. Each is a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath layout, with an open plan kitchen and living room with their pitched roofs (which house a loft bedroom) and shady verandas. These cottages fit easily into the island landscape. To provide storm surge protection, Davenport Development has chosen to build the cottages on stilts, which have the added benefit of better views and create a shaded under-story parking area.

ADDITIONAL COST CONSIDERATIONS

Although every nut and bolt is included in the kit price, additional costs will be incurred. One is the foundations, which have to be designed and laid. Another is the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design and installation. DeFinis points out that because the manufacturer sells its designs in multiple jurisdictions, all of which have different codes, it is not feasible for them to include this component.

The other significant expense to consider is labour. Davenport Development sent their staff to Little Cayman to build and finish the cottages. This, therefore, adds housing, food, travel, and other related costs to the project. All of this will be factored into
the final calculations.

“Our hope,” says DeFinis, “is that the speed of the build and the reduced need for concrete will make it an attractive option for construction in Little Cayman.”

 

Features & Amenities

  • Two Caribbean-style cottages

  • Short term rentals

  • 3 bedrooms/ 3.5 bathrooms each

  • On the south shore of Little Cayman

  • Open-plan kitchen and living room

  • Pitched roofs (which house a loft bedroom)

  • Shady verandas

  • Fit easily into the island landscape

  • Storm surge protection as the cottages have been built on stilts

  • Beach/sea views

  • Shaded under-story parking area.