Hendrickson, who is in the process of redeveloping the former Wyndham hotel at 77 Knutsford Boulevard, is weighing the development of the tower on adjoining land currently in use as a parking lot.

That high-rise would eclipse the country’s current tallest structure, The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, which Hendrickson also owns. That hotel has 17 floors.

The tower development, as it is currently conceptualised, would incorporate parking on the lower 10 floors, some of which would be built underground, while the other 18 floors would house condominiums. Hendrickson says the parking facility would serve his three hotels along the Knutsford Boulevard row – 77 Knutsford, Courtleigh and The Jamaica Pegasus – but would also incorporate extra space for public parking.

The engineering drawings, Hendrickson told the Financial Gleaner, are currently being reviewed, and planning permission will be sought before year end, once he is satisfied with the design concept.

“The building itself has had no discussion other than to say this is the way we see ourselves going in the future,” said Hendrickson.

“We have some renderings, of course. Currently, the engineers are going through the engineering works so we can make a parish council submission … . I had mentioned it in passing to the mayor, the possibility that we could have a very exciting project for Kingston, which could include parking.”

Hendrickson acquired 77 Knutsford in 2014 when his bid of US$17.6 million was accepted at auction, giving him ownership of the full row of hotels along the stretch. He is still in the process of redeveloping that property, which, when finalised, is expected to have more convention and meeting spaces but “slightly less” than the 303 rooms he acquired.

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