Booby Alley Redevelopment to Finish Mid-2026, Transforming St. John’s Community

The long-awaited Booby Alley redevelopment is set to be completed by mid-2026, Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced during Thursday’s Budget Presentation. The project, one of the most significant urban renewal initiatives in Antigua and Barbuda’s modern history, will deliver 150 new, modern housing units in the heart of St. John’s.

Financed by the People’s Republic of China, the development replaces decades-old structures that had fallen into severe disrepair and had long been considered unfit for safe habitation. The upgraded community will include improved infrastructure, safer living conditions, and better access to utilities and social services.

Prime Minister Browne described the project as a turning point for residents who have waited years for a dignified and structurally sound place to call home.

“We are not just constructing houses; we are forging pathways to opportunity,” he said, stressing that the new Booby Alley neighbourhood will uplift families while preserving the historic character of St. John’s.

The redevelopment is designed to address longstanding concerns about overcrowding, fire risks, and inadequate sanitation, issues that government officials and community advocates have raised for decades. Once complete, the modernised Booby Alley community is expected to become a model for future urban renewal efforts across the country.

Beyond St. John’s, the Prime Minister confirmed that the wider national housing programme will accelerate in 2026. CHAPA and National Housing are scheduled to build an additional 270 homes across Antigua, expanding opportunities for working families and first-time homeowners.

In Barbuda, 50 new condominium units will be constructed, while another 50 are planned for Bolans as part of ongoing efforts to increase the availability of affordable, resilient housing options.

Browne said the government’s aim is not simply to add housing stock, but to raise living standards nationwide.