NCB Group lays the foundation for a community full of life

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

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

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.

NCB Group's OLEA combines sustainability and community living

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.

A family walks along the promenade at SOLARA, one of NCB Group's most sustainable communities

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.

NCB Group will create new 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.