By Natalie Dolce From Globe St.

CAYMAN ISLANDS—Members of the Dart family first visited Grand Cayman in the late 1980s, initially drawn to the island’s marine environment and natural assets. They also found it to have a sophisticated infrastructure due to its role as an offshore financial centre and were impressed by its diverse and talented workforce.

The home the family subsequently purchased was the West Indian Club, which came with the land that is now the core of Camana Bay. The Dart family felt the Camana Bay site held great potential to become a world class community development. Their vision was for a new town, open to all, providing a diverse and walkable mix of commercial, retail, resort, entertainment and residential opportunities.

That vision has come quite a long way since then, and GlobeSt.com flew to the Cayman Islands to see Dart Realty’s original properties, as well as just how far Camana Bay has come and what the future will bring.

As it stands now, Camana Bay is destination within a destination. It is a vibrant town located in the heart of Grand Cayman. Situated on 600 acres between Seven Mile Beach and the North Sound, this mixed-use, master-planned community is one of the first examples of new urbanism in the Caribbean.

Developed by Dart Realty (Cayman) Ltd. in collaboration with a team of other visionaries, Camana Bay offers a unique mix of thoughtfully designed residential, commercial and public spaces, world-class shopping and dining, plus family friendly entertainment, events and attractions.

“Imagine a town where vehicles are virtually unnecessary. Residents stroll or ride bicycles along tree-lined sidewalks and neighbors get to know each other on their front porches or at the nearby park. Men and women can walk to the office; children can walk to school, and families can walk to shops, restaurants, and entertainment.” Those are some of the characteristics of the term “new urbanism,” according to Dart Realty. And new urbanism is the architectural model for Camana Bay. “It’s a community that nurtures quality of life…it is is based on town planning principles from centuries long past.”

So, what’s next for Camana Bay?

The community will ultimately include single-family homes and condominiums, with a variety of floor plans.

Condominiums: Plans for future condominiums include 101 beautiful one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Keeping with the soft Caribbean theme, the design of the four condominium buildings will be white with grey shutters.

Single-family homes: Plans call for 31 townhomes and larger single-family homes. Square footage will range from 1,200 square feet to 6,500 square feet.

Marina Village: Future plans call for a marina village on the shores of the North Sound.

In 2013, construction began on 18 Forum Lane, an 85,000-square-foot retail and office building. As the fourth commercial office building, Camana Bay continues to expand its office portfolio.

As GlobeSt.com previously reported, in 2013, construction began on 18 Forum Lane, an 85,000-square-foot retail and office building. As the fourth commercial office building, Camana Bay continues to expand its office portfolio, which now comprises 94 Solaris Avenue, 69 Forum Lane, 89 Nexus Way and additional garden offices in The Town Center. Additional office space also will be developed to meet demand, the firm says.

Be sure to check back with www.GlobeSt.com over the next week for more coverage from Dart Realty, including an exclusive Q&A as well as further details of future plans.

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Camana Bay offers a unique mix of thoughtfully designed residential, commercial and public spaces, world-class shopping and dining, plus family friendly entertainment, events and attractions.

Residents stroll or ride bicycles along tree-lined sidewalks and neighbors get to know each other on their front porches or at the nearby park.

“It’s a community that nurtures quality of life,” says Dart Realty.

For more on this story go to: http://www.globest.com/news/12_993/international/development/Town-Planning-Principles-from-Centuries-Long-Past-352753.html