Prime Developments sets a new benchmark for Caribbean CBI at IGS 2026: the Prime Creative Arts Centre is already under construction

While much of the investment migration market was still debating developments inside hotel conference rooms, Prime Developments raised the bar—showing IGS 2026 participants a real project that is already taking shape on site rather than being presented only in slides.

The summit took place June 17–20 with the participation of the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis and the Citizenship Unit. Prime Developments served as a Platinum Sponsor for the third edition and, throughout the week, did what not every sponsor manages to do: it demonstrated a project backed by an active construction site—not just by marketing materials.

Prime Creative Arts Centre was officially started on January 9, 2026. The complex is being built on 12 acres in the hills above Basseterre, with views over the island’s aquifer. During the summer months, site works and ground development were on a scale visible even against large-scale development projects.

In the context of Caribbean Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs, this matters especially: the region has seen initiatives that looked impressive in photographs but never became reality.

A question rarely asked at citizenship conferences

Over four days of panel discussions, Dr. Cyrus Motevassell received a question about how ordinary residents of Saint Kitts and Nevis actually build capital from foreign funding.

In his answer, he didn’t focus on employment numbers. As Motevassell explained, the project rests on at least two years of research and external consultations with subject-matter specialists long before the concept was even translated onto paper. The foundation is the company’s work on the island, which began as far back as 2006.

The goal was never only jobs. The aim was to create an “ecosystem of sustainable opportunities” that operates from the construction phase and continues after the facility is completed. The mission is to provide a space where talented young island residents can turn ability into a profession and a career.

He also outlined hiring priorities: locals first, then the region.

Where the investment is going exactly

The complex will comprise three key buildings.

The first is an indoor auditorium with 1,200 seats for concerts, theatrical productions, and national ceremonies.

The second is a technical and educational block: dedicated professional recording studios, rehearsal rooms, spaces for music production, and training classes.

The third building combines a co-working space, craft workshops, a music library, and a food and refreshment area.

Surrounding the buildings will be a market block, where artisans can work in full view of visitors.

The complex’s main feature is an open-air amphitheatre designed to reflect the island’s volcanic landscape. It will accommodate 3,200 seats and includes an additional 800 standing spaces near the stage. Volcanic stone—mined on the island itself—is used in both finishes and construction.

Prime Developments already has relevant experience in the area: Imperial Bay Residences—a complex of 84 one-bedroom apartments with a pool and leisure areas in Half Moon Bay—has been operating since 2015.

How the government frames the project

At the end of June, Prime Minister Dr. Terrence Drew and the Executive Chair of the Citizenship Unit H.E. Calvin St. Juste visited the construction site to assess progress after the project was re-energized. A steering committee has been established to oversee implementation.

In July, Minister of Creative Economy Samal Duggins told journalists that the project is “moving along at a good pace and staying on schedule”, attributing this to discipline in preparation and reporting.

The same logic was on display at the auction

The summit week ended with a Gala Night, where a silent auction raised funds for Cotton Thomas Comprehensive School. Prime Developments placed the winning bid on a piece of artwork.

Seen in a broader context, the gesture shows consistency: a company building a new home for the arts on the island also supported a local artist and a local school the same evening.

This is what cultural patronage looks like when it goes beyond a line in a brochure. The arts centre is a “thesis” at the scale of a building, while the winning auction bid is the same thesis—but at the scale of a single artwork.

For a developer whose investment logic is grounded in trust and goodwill from the local community, these are not “soft” symbols. Such actions help the project strengthen legitimacy over the years while also showing investors that involvement in culture is not just marketing—it’s something the company truly pays for.

How investors participate in the program

Under the Public Benefit Option (PBO), each main applicant must make a minimum contribution of US$250,000 per unit to an Approved Public Benefit Project, which is paid to an Approved Public Benefactor, and government fees are also payable.

After the application is submitted, the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) typically issues a recommendation within 120 days confirming whether the application is approved in principle, rejected, or deferred due to a process-related reason.

Each main applicant is required to attend an interview — either online or in person. For dependants aged 16 and over, an interview may also be scheduled.

What the investor receives is structured as transparently as possible: no transfer of deed ownership rights, no timeshare, no maintenance schedule, no “exit” route, and no developer’s balance sheet that could come between the contribution and citizenship.

Whether the PBO route or an asset-backed option is suitable for a specific family depends on the source of funds, the number of dependants included, and how the country of the applicant’s first citizenship views dual nationality going forward. Important: obtaining a second passport does not change the investor’s existing tax obligations in their country of residence.

These are exactly the questions worth discussing before you apply.

Prime Developments can guide you around the Basseterre site as the government representatives saw it—and help you choose the option that best fits your family. Learn more on the Prime Developments website.

If you’re considering Citizenship by Investment (CBI) in the Caribbean, it’s crucial to look beyond conference promises and focus on real, verifiable project progress. At IGS 2026, Prime Developments demonstrated the construction site for Prime Creative Arts Centre—an example of how investment migration can be backed by tangible milestones. Want to evaluate which CBI programs and investment structures are most promising right now and how to verify project status before deciding? Contact Digital Nomad for expert guidance.

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