NCB Group lays the foundation for a community full of life

Posted on August 17, 2022September 1, 2022 by michelle

Celebrating its 20-year anniversary in 2021, over the last two decades NCB Group has become renowned for its thoughtfully designed, sustainably minded residential communities that bring people together and enhance overall wellbeing.

From building Cayman’s first lazy river at OLEA to incorporating canal front promenades into the design plans of SOLARA, the signature amenities of every NCB development have been purposefully designed to connect residents to the beautiful, natural environment we call home, and to each other.

This drive to enhance and enrich the lives of the people who make its communities their home can be seen throughout the development plans for Auburn Bay, NCB’s newest waterfront neighbourhood in Red Bay.

Here are 5 benefits of community living, that truly come to life at Auburn Bay.

1. A greater sense of social connection

The pandemic was a time when everyone rallied together, and when gated communities and neighbourhoods gained precedence for home buyers as people craved the support and company of others.

As life now returns to normal, there continues to be a focus on ‘community’ when searching for property, with “being in close proximity to family/friends” and “walkability to neighbourhood amenities” remaining an important factor for home buyers.

With a variety of waterfront lots available for purchase, and developer-designed condos and duplexes in the development plans, Auburn Bay offers a diversity of options for those looking to embrace community-living, at a range of price points.

At the heart of the neighbourhood, a community pool and children’s playground create opportunities to foster connection, and canal access to the North Sound means weekends on the water with family and friends can be a regular event.

2. An increased sense of security

Today’s property buyers are seeking a safe and secure haven; where families are nurtured, individuals can thrive, and where safety is prioritised but there is still a sense of freedom.

Gated communities, such as Auburn Bay, provide their residents with an increased level of privacy and help to control access to the neighbourhood, so that they can enjoy their home and surroundings freely.

Add in the convenience of an around-the-clock property management team that handles all grounds maintenance, residents can rest easy knowing their neighbourhood is well looked after.

3. Opportunities for a more physical lifestyle

With health and wellbeing a renewed priority for many, developers globally are designing communities with amenities and facilities that, while fostering a sense of community, also encourage an active lifestyle.

Regular exercise has long been proven to have many health benefits, both physically and mentally, and NCB has always endeavoured to incorporate community amenities that cater to residents’ wellbeing into its residential developments as standard.

For example, Auburn Bay features a communal gym, sports court, community pool and natural running paths so that residents can easily maintain healthy habits within their own grounds. Additionally, a network of canals, lakes and a large bay are perfect for exploring by kayak or paddleboard, and have direct access to the North Sound for sailing and motorboating.

4. A connection with nature

Humankind has always had an instinctive need to commune with nature, and the concept of ‘space’ generally has gained new importance for homeowners in recent years—not only in the context of home, but also common garden and recreational areas.

Proximity to the natural environment also offers numerous health benefits, stretching from improved mental wellness to boosted immune function, but today’s fast-paced lifestyle and tendency for developers to try to maximize buildable land means communal spaces in many new developments can be few and far between.

With the surrounding natural environment a key attribute of Auburn Bay, this community, on the other hand, incorporates ample green space and plenty of amenities for recreation, exercise or just calm contemplation, that will fulfil the need for ‘space’ that people are prioritising post-pandemic.

5. Improved Overall Wellbeing

Communities like Auburn Bay give their residents the opportunity to return their focus to the things in life that are truly important to them – the health, happiness and wellbeing of themselves and their loved ones.

Providing a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of every day, Auburn Bay is just a stone’s throw away from the shops, restaurants, and amenities of Grand Harbour, providing a convenient lifestyle for those who reside there.

While the meaning of ‘home’ will always be unique to every individual, making memories at home is easier, and richer, when this extends beyond your own four walls. In this way, Auburn Bay truly exemplifies the concept of community-living at its finest.

Interested in learning more about Auburn Bay? Contact Sales and Marketing Manager, Tania Knapik, to explore available waterfront lots and other investment opportunities.

NCB Group Shares its Vision for a Sustainable Future

Posted on June 28, 2022June 30, 2022 by michelle

With a mission to build with Cayman’s future in mind, sustainability serves as a guiding principle for every NCB Group project.

With 10 business lines holistically integrated into its full-service construction and development offering, including a dedicated Renewable Energy & Sustainability division, NCB Group’s teams of in-house experts play an integral role in helping the real estate developer and service provider stay at the forefront of sustainable innovation.

On World Environment Day, Candice Bahadur, Senior Manager – Design, Development & Client Relations, Steve Schiffbauer, Sustainability & Design Manager, and John Van Ryswyk, Geothermal Technician, sat down to discuss how each of their divisions is contributing to NCB’s vision for a more sustainable future.

Why is sustainability important to NCB Group?

Candice: Growth is an important part of any community, but at NCB we are cognisant of the impact every new development has on our islands, and we want to make it as easy as possible for the property’s future residents to reduce their energy consumption and reliance on fossil fuels, through sustainable design.

John: Taking this same approach for NCB’s Plumbing and Geothermal Cooling divisions, we can now give clients the opportunity to consider their environmental impact when building a new home, or correct any inefficiencies in existing buildings that may have been overlooked or not viable previously, thanks to our more energy-efficient systems and holistic approach to installation and maintenance.

Steve: Part of what we do as NCB’s dedicated Renewable Energy & Sustainability group is work with both in-house teams and external clients to develop, initiate and monitor successful sustainable development plans to help minimise our impact on the environment, and create a better future for tomorrow.

Without considering the effects of your new build or property in today’s world, not only is your project unlikely to stand the test of time but you’re using unnecessary, energy-intensive building materials that contribute to a significant portion of our islands’ CO2 emissions.

How does NCB Group approach sustainable development?

Steve: NCB takes a holistic approach to sustainable development. We’re not just adding solar panels to a project, we’re considering how the landscaping can help to naturally cool the building, where we can create natural breezeways, and how we can incorporate renewable energy and alternative energy sources into the design, among other things.

Candice: Throughout our design and development processes, we also have steps in place to ensure that our builds protect and highlight Cayman’s beautiful natural environment. For example, taking the existing native plants on a site and preserving them at our East End farm until they are ready for replanting or adding turtle-friendly lighting to our waterfront properties to keep the local wildlife safe.

John: We aim to work with, not against, the natural environment when it comes to our developments. For example, our geothermal systems use the islands’ natural resources to provide energy-efficient cooling for an entire property. Plus, geothermal systems have triple the lifespan of conventional cooling units, which helps to reduce waste.

How has NCB Group already achieved its vision for sustainability? What else is on the horizon?

Candice: NCB is responsible for some of the most innovative projects on the island. We’ve built Grand Cayman’s most energy-efficient commercial space, Cayman Technology Centre, as well as many of the islands’ eco-friendly luxury communities, including OLEA and TIDES; several of which have been awarded for their sustainability. Looking ahead, we are working in partnership with Hilton Hotels’ Curio Collection by Hilton to bring a new luxury sustainable tourism product to Cayman, Kailani, which is on track to open in 2023.

John: Our Geothermal Cooling & Servicing offering, GeoCayman, has installed over 100 geothermal cooling systems to date across local commercial and residential properties. Our aim is to continue to install or replace outdated conventional cooling systems with a more sustainable option in as many homes and offices as possible.

How do homeowners and tenants benefit from the sustainability features of NCB Group developments?

Steve: Energy-saving features such as solar panels and geothermal cooling systems are a staple across most NCB developments, so many of their residents enjoy little to no utility bills. For example, residents at SOLARA pay next to nothing on their electricity bills on a monthly basis, thanks to the solar arrays installed on the roof of every unit.

Candice: This, combined with ICF construction and other sustainable building materials, LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances, as well as built-in communal spaces that embrace an eco-conscious lifestyle, like community herb gardens, gyms and yoga pavilions, outdoor entertaining areas, and recycling stations, means residents can truly live sustainably.

What are your division’s sustainability goals for the next 5 to 10 years? How are you working to achieve this?

John: Our team is excited to play a significant role in the advancement of geothermal technology. By working directly with the manufacturers, we are a part of the continuous innovation of these systems to ensure we provide the greenest, most environmentally friendly product to Cayman.

Candice: As a company, we have always focused on supporting our community and developing the next generation of sustainably-minded talent. We have recently revamped our Apprenticeship Programme and welcomed two promising candidates onto our Construction team for two years of first-hand experience with our experts.

Steve: This year, we also launched the NCB Green Team, a group of volunteers working to integrate our Action Plan for Sustainability and create eco-friendly habits across our offices. They have already coordinated our participation in the annual Earth Day Clean-Up and launched an initiative that works with local artists to brighten up our spaces and highlight their work.

Candice: NCB takes a very collaborative approach to sustainability, not only across the company but also with our project partners, suppliers, and other stakeholders. One of our goals is to continue to work with other like-minded, Caymanian-owned businesses to make a positive difference in our community and create developments that have longevity, thanks to their sustainable nature.

Interested in learning more about NCB Group’s approach to sustainability? Explore our eco-friendly luxury communities, discover how our sustainably-minded divisions can help you achieve your dreams or view current opportunities to join our team.

NCB Group launches Action Plan for Sustainability

Posted on April 13, 2022June 28, 2022 by michelle

The Cayman Islands’ leading sustainable developer cements its commitment to sustainability by formalising internal environmental programmes.

Following NCB Group’s 20-year anniversary in 2021, the sustainably-minded developer is now planning for the next 20+ years, which includes bringing its founding mission for sustainability back to the core of the business with the launch of a new, green initiative.

Championed by a group of NCB volunteers, known as the Green Team, the internal initiative aims to build sustainable habits from the ground up by equipping the group’s more than 100 staff members with more of the tools and resources they need to foster daily actions inspired by the company’s eco-consciously minded approach to development.

Speaking with the Green Team volunteers, they share their excitement for the new Action Plan for Sustainability and outline how it fits in with NCB’s greater mission to “build with Cayman’s future in mind.”

What is the mission and purpose of the Action Plan for Sustainability?

From the get-go, NCB has sought to build properties that are not only beautiful to look at but also meet the needs of the Cayman community for many generations to come.

We have always worked to be at the forefront of sustainable development and construction practices, which has meant growing our team to include experts in renewable energy, geothermal cooling, and sustainability.

The Action Plan for Sustainability is an extension of these goals, and seeks to create a working culture that instinctively prioritises sustainability.

The Green Team is supporting this by putting initiatives in place to help educate and guide NCB employees on sustainable practices and introduce internal programmes that encourage eco-conscious habits throughout our offices.

Why did NCB decide to create a Green Team? How does the Green Team fit into NCB’s vision for Cayman’s future?

At NCB, we understand sustainable growth can only come from creating a long-term plan that reviews and addresses our lasting effect on the ecological, human, and economic environment.

The Green Team helps implement this plan across our 10 service lines to ensure we are collectively working towards the same goals.

What are some of the critical goals of the Action Plan? What are you currently working on?

Each quarter, the Action Plan will tackle a different aspect of sustainability that starts to lay the foundation for long-term internal initiatives that will make a tangible difference to our company’s environmental footprint.

To formally kick off the initiative, at the beginning of the year we launched a new monthly, internal newsletter that highlights opportunities to get involved in community happenings and provides resources on sustainability.

Now we are working on a series of projects that will help reinvigorate NCB’s working spaces through natural elements, such as inspiring art displays, dedicated green spaces, and bringing locally sourced food and beverages into our staff kitchens.

Still to come are internal composting and recycling programmes, as we seek to reduce the environmental impact created by our offices.

Finally, we will be working with representatives from across all NCB divisions to create clear sustainability metrics for our suppliers, to ensure their environmental, social, and economic impacts are aligned with our goals.

Why are you excited to be a part of the Green Team?

To be an active part of NCB’s mission to be a leader in sustainability for Cayman is a gratifying feeling.

NCB’s eco-conscious ethos sets us apart in the local industry, and we’re excited to work closely with our senior management team to develop and improve the company’s sustainable practices.

With everything we have planned, there are many opportunities for NCB employees to make a difference within our company and the wider community and we’re excited to see the results later this year.

If NCB’s sustainably-minded approach to business aligns with your mission to lead a greener lifestyle, learn more about how you can contract us to work on an upcoming project, invest in one of our sustainable developments or join our growing team of passionate people.

NCB celebrates continued success of inaugural scholarship student

Posted on October 21, 2021September 1, 2022 by michelle

Supporting the next generation of Caymanians interested in a career in the construction and development industry has always been an integral part of NCB Group’s commitment to building with Cayman’s future in mind.

As part of this promise, in 2019 NCB founded the NCB Group Scholarship, a scholarship programme that provides budding Caymanians looking to kickstart their career in the industry with a financial contribution towards their tertiary education and on the job experience during their school breaks.

As inaugural NCB Group Scholarship recipient, Jada Watson, reaches the midway point of her time at the University of South Florida we sat down with her and Shahida Ebanks, NCB’s HR Manager, to discuss the variety of career opportunities available in construction and development and why further education in this industry is helping to keep Cayman on top of innovation.

Shahida, why has NCB always put such an emphasis on investing in the next generation?

Shahida: Over the last 20 years, NCB has sought to offer local students pathways into construction and development through internship and apprenticeship opportunities. We’ve seen the industry challenge them to improve their skillsets continuously and create excellent leaders within our company, all the while providing Caymanians with an opportunity to help support the growth of their community through our sustainable development projects.

As a business, NCB also benefits from having fresh ideas and innovators. With their aptitude for technology and ready and able mindset, students fresh from school have brought some exciting suggestions and proposals to our table.

In 2019 we awarded the first NCB Group Scholarship to Jada after recognising the talent and passion for project management that she displayed on the job as a Coordinator. We are proud to see her continued success at University, despite the challenging times.

Jada, tell us what sparked your interest in taking your studies further?

Jada: Before going to college, I worked at NCB for a year, starting as a receptionist and moving up to a coordinator. As a coordinator, I went on job sites, completed inspections, learned about electricity and plumbing, and watched construction take place. I found each stage of the development exciting and wanted to learn more.

When the opportunity to pursue further education came about through the NCB Group Scholarship, I first decided to study accounting and then transitioned to economics because the latter gives me the analytical and computer skills valued in business and finance. Not only does my Bachelor’s degree in economics cover all business aspects, but it allows me to understand urban planning, international development, policy analysis and project management, which will be valuable for a future career in the industry.

It has been a tough time for students worldwide. How have you managed to stay motivated despite the challenging circumstances?

Jada: As both a first-generation college student in my family and the first recipient of the NCB Group Scholarship, I hold myself accountable for my success. I want to graduate with good academic standing, not just for myself, but to help inspire my younger sister, who looks up to me, and for my parents, who did not have the opportunity to go to college themselves.

When COVID-19 first hit, I struggled to adjust to online classes causing my grade averages to drop. However, the team at NCB provided me with the patience and understanding I needed to bring my grades back up. With their support and encouragement, I have been able to work hard and complete my semesters with an above-average GPA.

Shahida, why should young Caymanians consider a career in construction and development?

Shahida: I always say to our project managers that there must be no better feeling than seeing a project go from being on paper to in the ground and, finally, becoming a high-quality and well-respected development. As a Caymanian, it is great knowing not only that “we did that” but that the products and services we offer help to create a sustainable, community-focused future for our islands.

At NCB, a career in construction and development offers a wide variety of opportunities. Across all ten of our integrated service lines, our teams cover all aspects of building, maintenance and management, and new innovative technologies. From the people delivering materials right up to project leads, at NCB you will always be an essential part of the process.

Jada, after you complete your degree, what will be the next step in your career journey?

Jada: When I complete my undergraduate degree, I plan to pursue a career as a commercial and residential real estate project manager. I would also like to advance my education further and pursue my master’s degree.

Shahida, what additional career support does NCB offer at the entry-level?

Shahida: Jada is a wonderful example of what an entry-level job at NCB can lead to. By displaying her initiative, determination, and passion for the job at hand, Jada rose through the ranks and achieved some remarkable things at the start of her career.

At NCB, we are proud to have a dedicated Training and Development Coordinator as a part of our team, who works to provide opportunities for our entry-level staff like Jada to build their skillset and achieve new qualifications to help them on their career journey.

The senior members of our team are also known to take promising, entry-level team members under their wings. As mentors, they share their years of experience in the industry to inspire and help develop their younger team members.

Are you interested in pursuing a career in construction and development with NCB? Visit our Careers page to see our current vacancies, contact hr@ncbgroup.ky to learn more about our internship, apprenticeship and scholarship opportunities or follow us on Instagram to see what a career with NCB could look like.

Kailani brings the value of Hilton’s Curio Collection to Cayman

Posted on August 5, 2021 by michelle

Investors will benefit from the Hilton Honors programme’s more than 115 million members.

After 20 years of developing sustainable residential and commercial communities in the Cayman Islands, NCB Group has expanded its services to construct Cayman’s first boutique wellness and business hotel, Kailani Grand Cayman.

Sitting down with Matthew Wight, NCB Group’s Managing Director, he shares the reasons behind the company’s growth into the hospitality industry and what Kailani investors can expect from the Curio Collection by Hilton partnership.

NCB Group has a reputation as a leading residential and commercial developer, so why is it branching into hospitality?

There has been a big push by the Ministry of Tourism and Department of Tourism to reach 500,000 stayover tourists per year. Stayover tourists are more lucrative for the islands because of their higher spending rates, particularly locally produced products and services.

In Cayman, the issue is the short supply of hotel rooms and the gap in the types of products on offer—a gap NCB Group is working to fill. Kailani was conceived to meet the needs of an underserved market and provide a top-end business hotel and unique wellness tourism offering for Cayman.

As NCB Group is a leader in sustainable development, environmental sustainability and conscious living have been at the forefront of every decision for Kailani, from building practices to sourcing products and materials to help redefine the future of tourism for Cayman’s hospitality sector. We are also bringing our expertise in human sustainability through design into this market by building the Kailani experience around the principles of personal well-being.

What sparked the idea for Kailani’s business and wellness concept?

Wellness is the fastest growing sector in tourism. The industry is valued at over US$ 735 billion in 2020. We saw it as an opportunity not only for us as a company but also for the jurisdiction to embrace this market.

Trends show that wellness travellers stay longer during their trips and are usually more willing to spend on experiences.

Kailani creates a brand-new hospitality product for Cayman’s capital, George Town—a hub for shopping, dining, culture and finance. Business travellers will be conveniently based just steps away from the island’s business district, while leisure guests can enjoy the world-famous Seven Mile Beach on their doorstep.

How is Kailani’s concept of wellness different from what we see in other parts of the world?

In most hotels worldwide, the spa and fitness facilities are typically hidden in the basement or tucked away on the first floor. At Kailani, we’ve made the spa and wellness facilities the hotel’s centrepiece by placing them on the seventh floor, the highest value of real estate on the property.

Holistic experiences and wellness programming are being built into Kailani’s daily offerings, including in-room yoga mats, circadian rhythm lighting and farm-to-table dining sourced locally from our farm in East End.

What were you looking for in a partnership with a hotel brand?

Through Kailani, we wanted to create a boutique stay focused on the customer experience, breaking away from the traditional cookie-cutter hotel rooms that travellers are used to seeing. We had a clear direction that we were heading in and wanted to partner with a strong international brand that could support our ideology.

Why did you choose to partner with the Hilton brand rather than run the hotel independently?

The US market contributes over 70% of hotel guests to Cayman’s tourism industry, and many of these people are very loyal to their brands.

The Hilton Honors programme has more than 115 million members worldwide—that’s a formidable and captive audience for bookings.

The other notable aspect is that 52% of Hilton bookings come directly from their website or marketing outreach. In the days of Expedia, Travelocity, Booking.com and other online travel agencies that take commissions from every room they book, 52% is impressive and shows loyalty to the Hilton brand.

How does the partnership with Curio Collection by Hilton differ from traditional hotel franchising?

Usually, if you’re working with a hotel brand, you would have your design and brand handed to you. While the Hilton itself has set guidelines, the hotels in the Curio Collection have more freedom to create their own identity. In fact, the hotels within the collection are encouraged to incorporate the local culture into their brand.

This way, we get the best of both worlds; Kailani maintains environmental sustainability and a strong cultural identity as a part of their ethos while still receiving the backing of a large, internationally known brand.

What are some of the ways Kailani will cultivate its own identity and lifestyle? Why is this important?

We created a muse for the hotel – a young, spirited business traveller, Kailani, whose roots lie firmly in Cayman but whose travels have given her a global perspective and innate sophistication. Her effortless elegance and love of her home’s natural environment unfold throughout the hotel.

Our muse is part of the storytelling exercise we did when building out the Kailani brand. We wanted to make it memorable for guests, especially in Cayman, where you see many repeat visitors year after year. This hotel offers experiences you wouldn’t expect in the heart of the city.

What are some of the ways people can invest in Kailani?

A total of 80 suites (90 hotel keys) are available for purchase at Kailani, including spacious studios with in-room kitchenettes and two- and three-bedroom suites with large living areas and private terraces. A collection of lock-off suites offer a unique feature to owners, allowing bedrooms to be locked-off to create two functional hotel suites.

There is also the opportunity to live at Kailani at one of the lowest prices per square foot for Seven Mile Beach-front property. So, if you want to spend six months a year living at the hotel and have the unit as a part of the hotel inventory for the other six months, you can do that. But there are only six of these residential units where people can live year-round.

How does the Hilton partnership improve the value of Kailani for investors in the hotel?

The partnership with Curio Collection by Hilton is a franchise agreement instead of a management fee, so the hotel essentially controls all the decisions. Through this agreement, we can drive the operational outputs to ensure the highest return on investment for our investors.

With 52% of bookings coming directly through Hilton channels, the cost of bookings is also reduced, meaning the return for the investor is increased.

Being a part of the Hilton brand, there’s a vast network behind us, thanks to its 115 million members. That allows us to focus on Kailani’s operations and unique guest experiences. Plus, even when guests book using Hilton Honors programme points, the unit owner is still repaid for those nights.

We’re expecting average occupancy at Kailani of more than 70%.

Are there other benefits for investors?

In addition to ownership, there are two weeks of usage a year that comes with your purchase. That can be spread throughout the year or shared with your family and friends. Plus, if you’re making reservations outside of the two weeks’ stay, you get a 50% discount on the nightly rate for rooms within a 30-day window.

Kailani residents will also have access to the hotel’s two restaurants, poolside café and in-room dining services, as well as a fully equipped gym and wellness centre while benefitting from additional owner perks such as a 10% discount on all food and beverage purchases at the hotel and Hilton Honors membership status.

How can investors learn more about Kailani?

Email info@ncbgroup.ky, view our investor brochure and sign up for the Kailani newsletter to stay updated on the hotel’s progress.