Hundreds of millions of dollars are being invested in large-scale hotel overhauls, new office buildings, newbuild homes and renovations.

While there is a broad variety of project types producing work for contractors, construction is not in “boom” territory relative to recent history, according to Alex DeCouto, managing director of Greymane Construction.

“I don’t think you can single any category out – there is a healthy amount of investment in property happening, but certainly nothing approaching 2008 levels of employment and projects,” he said. “This is the level of investment that the industry needs on an ongoing basis.”

Indeed, government employment statistics show there were 2,163 full-time jobs in construction in 2025 — about 1,500 fewer than in the employment peak of 2008.

However, firms whose expertise can gain them a share of hospitality, commercial and residential work are thriving in today’s construction environment.

Commercial Glass & Aluminum Co, for example, is working on a range of residential upgrades and window replacements, while also working on the redevelopment of Grotto Bay Beach Resort. It will also install 581 showers as part of the Fairmont Southampton overhaul and is the provider and installer of glass for the new Luscar Place office building, going up in west Hamilton.

Steve Barber, managing director of Commercial Glass, who took over the business in 2015, said working on major projects helps to build a company’s reputation and leads to more opportunities.

“With every year, business has got a bit better,” he said. “You get too big, too quick and you get in trouble. I’m still being cautious, but I’m confident we’re moving in the right direction.”

Hospitality projects

The Fairmont Southampton is a massive construction project, a $550 million overhaul by owner Westend Properties, a subsidiary of Gencom. Reopening of the 593-room hotel is scheduled for August.

By early January this year, work was picking up pace. Westend said roofing was complete in the north wing and work had begun on the resort’s west wing and ballroom roofs, while a complete renovation of the guest rooms was under way. Work was also ongoing at the resort’s Ocean Club and Beach Club, where a new resort-style pool was being installed.

Last August, the company said more than 150 Bermudians, spouses of Bermudians and permanent resident’s certificate holders had been involved in the redevelopment project. And the work looks set to continue, given the 2023 government approved of a special development order to build up to 250 units on the property.

At the Grotto Bay Beach Resort, ongoing development includes the construction of two three-story buildings comprising an 53 additional guest rooms, and additionally a new sewage plant. This follows expansions to the Castle Harbour property’s dining rooms.

Looming ahead is a major redevelopment at Elbow Beach, where The Loren Group plans to demolish the main building of the Paget resort, place a 75-key building on the current site of tennis courts and erect a combination of 27 estate homes and cottage-style accommodations.

Stephen King, the co-owner of The Loren Group, hopes work will be completed in late 2028 so the hotel is ready for the 2029 season.

There are also plans for a new hotel in Hamilton, to be called Sankofa House. Ay Ay Holdings Bermuda Ltd has received support, on appeal, from the Department of Planning for its proposal to redevelop the vacant Victoria Hall, in Hamilton, into a nine-storey, 94-room property.

And in Warwick, plans to convert the former Riddell’s Bay Golf Club clubhouse into a brewery and restaurant were approved by the Development Applications Board in April last year.

Commercial property

Perhaps the most visible construction site in Bermuda is Brookfield Place, at 91 Front Street, a nine-storey office and retail development, scheduled to be completed this year.

A short walk away, at 69 Pitts Bay Road, just east of the Bacardi Building, is Luscar Place, a seven-storey building that will provide 130,000 sq ft of prime office space.

The Green family, who have already left their mark on west Hamilton with their transformations of the Hamilton Princess and Beach Club, Waterloo House and Point House, are the investors behind Luscar Place.

The new complex, which will be solar-powered and will also comprise two ground-floor retail units, is scheduled for completion in July 2027.

A more unusual commercial building project for Bermuda is the Google transatlantic cable landing station on a 5.9-acre site at Burrows Hill, St David’s.

The plan comprises a 35,000 sq ft single-storey building, along with a small guardhouse and parking for 14 cars and 12 motorcycles, as well as a mechanical yard housing six generators. Google also plans an 8ft security fence.

A planning report filed with the Development Applications Board said the work would involve “significant and extensive cutting and filling” to create a level area on the property, with rock cuts as high as 30ft.

Residential

Government capital spending has the potential to play a significant role in the pipeline of future construction work.

As Mr DeCouto observed: “We will be watching closely what Government does in the housing space and with Corporate Income Tax funds specifically, as housing minister Zane DeSilva has been making lots of noise about projects in the pipeline.

“I’m hoping he can pull some things off, because most of our middle- and lower-income citizens need help with housing.”

Mr DeSilva has spelled out his hopes to roll out up to 1,500 affordable units over the next decade. High on his list of potential development sites are Victoria Row and Albert Row in Sandys; a vacant lot near Dr Cann Park in Southampton; Tommy Fox Road in St David’s; 13 Ewing Street in Hamilton; and Harbour View Village, in St David’s. All these sites are managed by the Bermuda Housing Corporation and the Bermuda Land Management Company.

The ministry is looking at prefabricated and modular construction techniques to deliver homes as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. With more than 350 households on the BHC waitlist as of the end of 2025, social need may be a strong driver of residential construction investment.

The post Projects in the pipeline appeared first on RG Magazines.

Construction work is finally set to get underway to replace the ageing bridge that connects St George’s Island with St David’s Island over Ferry Reach, nearly a decade after the plan was first announced.

The project, led by award-winning British designers Ramboll, is one of the biggest upgrades for Bermuda’s infrastructure in living memory.

Architect drawings have offered a preview to a sleek and futuristic design. Eadon Consulting, which is supporting Ramboll, say the bridge has been designed with a distinctive curved deck structure which will create a “striking first impression” for visitors arriving at LF Wade International Airport.

But to stand the test of time in Bermuda, it will also need to withstand hurricanes, humidity and salty air.

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Public Works and Environment said: “In terms of aesthetics, the Ministry acknowledges that design is subjective, but notes that the design team has won numerous awards for bridge projects, and the new structure is expected to represent a significant improvement on the existing bridge.

“Reliability and durability have been central to the design process, with the bridge engineered for a working life of 75 years.

“While some components will require replacement over time, with appropriate maintenance, the bridge is expected to meet and potentially exceed its design lifespan, providing resilient infrastructure for decades to come.”

Ageing structure

The existing bridge’s substructures date back to 1864, when the main forms of transport were horse and carriage and foot traffic.

A new bridge, called Swing Bridge was put in place in 1964, as part of efforts to improve access to St George’s.

Since then, Bermuda’s salt water and warm weather have taken their toll on its steel structure.

Rehabilitation work took place in 2002 and 2007, when the bridge was strengthened with additional girders, and cross beams were strengthened with steel plating.

But it has since been declared beyond economic repair, with then public works minister, Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, stating in 2017 that it had outlived its expected life span of 50 years.

Plans for a new bridge were unveiled in 2018, with Ramboll as the lead designer, supported by Knight Architects and Eadon, but were delayed due to factors including the Covid-19 pandemic and encroachment on National Trust Property nearby.

The Development Applications Board granted approval in 2025.

While Ramboll, Knight and Eadon have developed the bridge design, the Ministry said a contracting firm will be selected through an open tender process to carry out construction.

“The Ministry expects strong interest from overseas builders and anticipates opportunities for local contractors to participate in the project,” she said.

The next visible phase of work is expected to be site preparation.

It’s estimated the bridge will take three years to build, but there’s good news for East End residents regarding the impact on traffic.

The spokeswoman confirmed the new bridge will be constructed alongside the existing Swing Bridge, just to the east, allowing the current bridge to remain in operation during construction.

“While the Ministry does not anticipate major disruption, some traffic adjustments will be required,” she said.

“These arrangements will be fully communicated in advance, supported by diagrams and public information.”

She added: “As the project progresses, the timeline will be refined, and the Ministry intends to provide regular updates to the public.”

New technology

Jaché Adams, the Minister of Public Works and Environment, said last year that the bill to replace the Swing Bridge would run between $50 million and $60 million and that $3.8 million would be spent on “preparatory work” before construction started.

The Swing Bridge was originally designed to lift, to allow ships to pass through. In recent times, it is so corroded it has become stuck in a fixed position, which limits shipping access to the harbour.

The new bridge will have a hydraulically operated lift, creating a 72ft wide space for vessels to pass through. When closed, it will allow for a clearance of 13½ft for boats at high tide – an increase of 3½ft on the original bridge.

The roundabout on the southern side of the Swing Bridge will be realigned as part of the project.

Planning documents show construction work will take place from a barge, using prefabricated sections.

New technologies and materials such as ultra-high performance concrete and high-performance steel – mean modern-day bridges are guaranteed better durability, strength, resilience and a longer life, even in Bermuda’s climate.

Bridges can also be embedded with sensors that provide continuous feedback on structural conditions, allowing engineers to identify and address problems earlier.

The British design team also won the contract to nearby replace Longbird Bridge, which has also undergone emergency repairs after deteriorating in recent years.

Longbird Bridge, built in the 1950s, is the twin carriageway steel bridge at the east end of the Causeway, which connects the island with the airport. It is expected that Longbird Bridge will be replaced at about the same time as Swing Bridge, but detailed plans had not been shared at press time.

The post Bridging the gap appeared first on RG Magazines.

“I honestly thought he was pulling my leg,” said the group CEO and director.

The more they looked into it, however, the more it made business sense.

In the space of just 14 weeks, this Par-la-Ville Road landmark, which is now called Press Court, was transformed into a state-of-the-art sports centre, housing up to four Pickleball courts, and new, fully accessible bathrooms with the potential for a viewing platform, café and outside patio seating.

In the meantime, the printing operations continued in the basement and the entire Gazette staff moved next door into Crown House without missing a single issue of Bermuda’s daily paper.

The newspaper’s new offices have also been upgraded. The new space is bright and modern, with a comfortable and stylish kitchen, which doubles up as a functional work and meeting area, and updated technology allowing everyone to hot desk.

This design, he said, “was intended to increase the collaboration, increase the communication and increase the productivity amongst staff, so that we’re more one team rather than working in departmental siloes.”

In spite of the benefits of their new office, leaving their old building, which had been purpose built for the newspaper back in 1974, was still a wrench.

“One of our editorial staff members was really emotional,” recalled Mr Howes.

“He was tearing up because he spent his entire working career inside this space. It’s a huge change, even for Bermuda. For The Royal Gazette, that building has been its home for so long, most Bermudians don’t remember where it was before.”

Their previous offices had been in what is now Gibbons, on Reid Street.

The response to the new indoor pickleball facility however, has been one of excitement, and while there is a membership scheme and associated benefits, players don’t have to be members to use it.

The building can also be rented out for corporate and charitable events as well as used by the island’s schools.

Renovation and demolition work has primarily been designed and carried out by local companies and contractors, but Mr Howes also called on international expertise, as nothing like this has been built in Bermuda before.

US-based companies LSI Lighting and PickleRoll were called in for the lighting and flooring respectively. Pickleball is noisy, so sound-proofing was put in place with an acoustic spray on the ceiling and an acoustical felt for the walls.

The court outline is designed to be as flexible as possible. While the maximum number of courts available is four, the layout and number can change according to the occasion thanks to tape and an aluminium template.

“You could literally pull up the tape, put the template down and maybe within an hour, you could have the whole place reconfigured,” explained Mr Howes.

Press Court is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with an app-based booking system. This system also facilitates building entry for out of hours games.

Transforming a former newspaper building from the 70s into an indoor pickleball operation has been the company’s most ambitious business project to date and Mr Howes reserved high praise for everyone who worked night and day to make it happen, in particular contractor, Longtail Construction, H&H Plumbing, Keen Electrical, Pembroke Paint and Island Construction Services for the asbestos removal.

The post From press room to pickleball appeared first on RG Magazines.

Tanya Bule, head of International Wealth and Premier Banking at HSBC, responded to basic questions you should ask before you make your move.

They say prevention is better than cure. What’s the best way to prepare to finance your home renovation?

First and foremost, the client should gain an understanding of the scope of work required by engaging with a reputable contractor to obtain a professional quote.

Once that has been completed and the client has a sense of the scope of work and costs involved, they should consult with their bank to gain an understanding of what is feasible from a financing and affordability perspective.

How can you find out your borrowing capacity? Does Bermuda consider your credit score and home equity when applying for a loan? 

Engagement with a financial advisor at your bank is paramount in determining your borrowing power.

Verification of income and expenses are vital in determining what a client can borrow. Bermuda actually does not have a central credit bureau and as such credit score isn’t utilised here locally. Local banks will, however, check your credit history with other financial institutions.

Are loans for renovations more flexible when it comes to financing and rates than when obtaining a loan to purchase a home?

This depends on the scope of work – if the works are purely interior/cosmetic and do not involve the addition of square footage to the property, depending on the dollar amount required a simple unsecured loan could be the most appropriate route for the client.

If the works needed are more extensive, such as adding square footage, then a construction loan is required, and this is more complex.

A construction loan typically requires multiple contractors quotes as well as a quantity surveyor’s report.

What percentage would you recommend as a contingency fee in your loan amount for unexpected expenses?

Contingency is typically required between 10 to 20 per cent of the total quote of the job, based on the scope of the works.

Are there any alternatives to borrowing for home renovations? Compare and contrast getting a loan to using your savings or a credit card.

Not to be too repetitive, but this is also dependent on the scope of work and level of financing required. HSBC offers unsecured lending up to $80,000 over a five-year term.

What steps are there to obtain a loan for home renovations?

As mentioned above, this is dependent on the scope of the work. It is always recommended that a client engages with a contractor initially to understand the scope and cost of proposed works.

The next step would be to engage directly with their financial advisor at their bank to ascertain what is required in terms of securing financing.

Some key touchpoints throughout this process could be obtaining architectural design plans, formal planning approval, potentially a quantity surveyor’s report and a property appraisal to determine the fair market value as is, and upon completion.

The post Paying for home appeared first on RG Magazines.

Thanks to a collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Bermuda, the charity has switched from Pathways Bermuda in Smith’s to the Bermudiana Arcade, Queen Street, Hamilton.

It brings upgraded facilities and renewed hope to many, ensuring the charity continues its crucial work under a new roof.

Gina Spence, the programme’s founder, told RG Construction that the new surroundings will better serve the community’s needs – now and in the future.

Ms Spence said: “Growing demand and accessibility were the key drivers. The previous location, while beneficial during its tenure, was always intended as a temporary solution and became inadequate to handle the increasing number of individuals and families seeking assistance.

“Relocating to the Bermudiana Arcade removed those barriers and means more people can receive the support they need, when they need it most, in a safe, welcoming and dignified environment.”

The new facility is a purpose-built therapeutic environment, thoughtfully designed to support the unique needs of those dealing with grief and loss. Every element prioritises confidentiality, calm and emotional safety.

This careful planning ensures that each person who walks through their doors feels safe, supported and less alone during their most vulnerable moments.

From a practical standpoint, this move allows the Gina Spence Programme to significantly enhance and expand its services.

“The new facility allows us to support more people, more consistently, and with greater care,” Ms Spence said.

The improved space will facilitate the expansion of the Healing Hearts individual and group counselling services, along with grief awareness, education and outreach programmes such as Grief Connect and workshops.

The project also showcases the impressive synergy between charities and the construction sector in Bermuda.

“This project demonstrates the power of collaboration in creating lasting community impact,” Ms Spence said.

Sandra Christensen, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Bermuda, said extensive renovation work was needed to improve the facilities.

“This involved a total gut job of the space which originally had two rooms and was ultimately opened up to create one large space,” she said.

“Rewiring and new electrical and lights were required as well as drywall which was installed, sanded, finished and painted. We also built new partitions to create divided spaces where the Gina Spence Programme can offer healing and transformative services to those in need.”

Ms Christensen said Habitat for Humanity was always willing to collaborate with charities that aligned with its mission to help the vulnerable in Bermuda.

“The work was done pro bono in support of this wonderful charity and all of the good work they do in our community.”

Ms Spence said the charity, which she founded more than 35 years ago, was “deeply grateful” to Habitat for Humanity Bermuda for their exceptional partnership.

Not only has it resulted in creating a purpose-built space that is accessible and safe, but thanks to the intentionality behind the design the non-profit can continue to offer care, ensuring that no one on the island has to grieve alone.

She said addressing grief and loss in our community was a shared responsibility – and partnerships like this “show what’s possible when organisations come together to strengthen and heal our community”.

For more information on Gina Spence Programme, visit gspcharity.com.

The post A new home for healing appeared first on RG Magazines.

Image: supplied of Wantley, a planned Urban Development Authority project at Princess Street, Hamilton

Bermuda’s construction sector stands at a pivotal moment.

With the Government’s stated goal of increasing the working population by more than 8,000 people, the island faces an urgent need to expand its residential capacity.

Yet, while the demand is clear, rising development costs and borrowing constraints have slowed progress.

The Approved Residential Scheme framework — strengthened further by the new ARS Kickstart Programme — seeks to address exactly that challenge, offering a structured path to growth for both the construction industry and the wider economy.

Established in June 2022, the ARS initiative was designed to spur development within Bermuda’s four Economic Empowerment Zones: North East Hamilton, South East Hamilton, Somerset and St George’s.

These areas hold deep historical, cultural, and economic significance, but have long faced socio‑economic disparities, underinvestment and aging physical infrastructure.

The ARS framework provides a mechanism to reverse this trend by creating opportunities for high‑quality residential development that supports local businesses, enhances community life and broadens access to housing.

The recently introduced ARS Kickstart Programme adds a crucial missing piece: financial feasibility. By providing a $50 million sovereign guarantee to participating banks, the Government enables reduced borrowing rates for qualifying construction projects, effectively lowering one of the largest barriers to development.

The guarantee remains active for six years beyond construction completion, giving developers confidence and breathing room to deliver large‑scale residential or mixed‑use complexes within the EEZs.

In return, banks commit to discounted interest rates, while maintaining their underwriting independence and first claim on collateral.

This is more than a financing tool; it is a catalyst for transformation. With EEZs already identified as zones with cultural vibrancy but structural under‑resourcing, ARS developments can meaningfully uplift communities, provided they are planned with sensitivity. The guidelines emphasise affordability, stakeholder engagement, prevention of displacement and long‑term socioeconomic benefit.

These requirements reinforce a holistic approach to development, one that values not just buildings but the people and histories they anchor.

Urban Development Authority

As these initiatives take root, the Urban Development Authority is positioned to play a central role in shaping the built environment with intention and equity.

The UDA’s mission is to promote sustainable, community‑focused urban revitalisation through coordinated planning, strategic investment and inclusive development practices.

Its vision is to create vibrant, resilient and economically diverse urban districts where residents, businesses and investors can thrive together.

By aligning with the ARS framework, the UDA helps ensure that new residential projects contribute to coherent neighbourhood planning, quality design standards and equitable economic growth. Its commitment to community‑first development mirrors the ARS objective of strengthening local economies without triggering the displacement or gentrification pressures that too often accompany regeneration efforts.

Turning point for the industry

For Bermuda’s construction professionals —developers, architects, engineers, contractors — the ARS and the ARS Kickstart Programme represent both opportunity and responsibility.

Opportunity, because financing barriers are easing and demand for new residential units is growing. Responsibility, because the outcomes of this moment will shape community landscapes for generations.

If executed with foresight and collaboration, this initiative could spark a new era of construction activity, economic vitality and housing stability within Bermuda’s most historic and culturally rich neighbourhoods.

More importantly, it can help ensure that growth is shared, sustainable and rooted firmly in community empowerment.

The post Addressing the housing gap appeared first on RG Magazines.

Those undigested wood pellets, or frass, that you see are a sign that termites are active – and they’re going to continue chowing down on your wooden beams and fine wooden furniture unless the problem is addressed.

Should you see flying termites, or find termite wings, it means termites have likely been in your house for five to seven years because it’s a sign that the colony has grown too big, and termites have started to spread to other pieces of wood.

Justin Tavares is the operations manager at Bermuda Pest Control, which has been in business since 1952, and does around 140 tented fumigations annually.

“Tent fumigations are reserved for treating wood-destroying organisms,” he said.

“The majority are termites, but every now and then, there’s another insect called a powder post beetle that is also a wood-destroying organism.

“If you have them in your house, that’s when you want to get it treated, because it’s a problem that does not go away. It’s just going to keep getting worse and worse and worse. Our advice is always to get it taken care of sooner rather than later.”

Termites live in wood, eating it and expelling the frass.

Mr Tavares said: “Frass is termites’ droppings, and it looks like sand if you put it under a microscope. Termites like to eat wood, but they can’t digest all of it, so they excrete what they can’t eat.

“When you see that, that’s your first sign that an infestation has gotten to a point where it needs to be properly looked at.”

He added: “Termites prefer soft woods, but they’ll eat any wood. A common myth in Bermuda is that they don’t eat cedar. They don’t like cedar, but I can guarantee you they will eat it.”

On the day of a tented fumigation, the Bermuda Pest Control team will arrive with tarps to go over the house, clamps to hold them together, and sandbags to form a tight seal on the ground to ensure that the colourless, odourless gas sulfuryl fluoride – trade name Vikane – is contained inside the house.

Mr Tavares said: “While that’s going on, inside the house everything is being opened to promote good airflow, so drawers, cabinets, dressers, attic spaces, are opened up.

“The only things that need to be out of the home during the fumigation are people, pets and plants.

“We set up fans to help circulate the fumigant. So once all that prep work is done, the technician, who has to be licensed to do so, will release the fumigant into the property.”

He added: “The gas sits and circulates for typically somewhere between 12 and 16 hours. The next day, tents come down, and the house gets aired out. Once that is done, we have special detection devices to make sure that the gas is at a level, which is zero for us, to allow people to reoccupy the space.

“There’s no residual to the gas, so there’s no clean-up. You don’t need to wash dishes. You don’t need to change the linens. You don’t need to wipe down every surface.”

Fumigations, which carry a seven-year warranty, are done year-round.

The only excepted days, for safety reasons, are those where winds exceed 25mph.

Mr Tavares said: “If fumigation is an idea that you’ve been toying with, inspections are free, and quotes are free. Just give us a call and we can come out and help you in any way that we can.”

The post Tenting for termites appeared first on RG Magazines.

The Serpentine Road, Pembroke, company is the largest supplier of residential and commercial windows and doors in Bermuda.

General manager Jimmy Thatcher said doors and windows can be either hurricane impact or non-impact, each coming in a variety of styles; the former also provide greater security, which is increasingly a client priority.

Commercial clients, and residential new-build customers, are normally represented by architects and designers, who know which styles and specifications they are after.

Renovation or upgrade projects require a different approach.

Mr Thatcher said: “When customers come in looking for doors and/or windows the first question we have to ask is ‘are you looking for hurricane impact or non-impact products?’

“This is the client’s choice and is usually driven by the choice of protection or no protection.

“In the last 15 to 20 years, we have noticed an increase in requests for hurricane impact doors while in the last five to eight years, there has been an uptick in interest in impact windows.

“Typically, windows have been non-impact because people use shutters or blinds that offer protection and also keep with our ‘traditional Bermuda’ look.”

Kim Powell, manager of human relations and payroll at Island Glass, said residential customers are increasingly valuing small sight lines when it comes to exterior doors.

Mr Thatcher concurred: “If you buy a million-dollar view, you don’t want to have a whole lot of material blocking your view. That’s why a lot of people are starting to go ‘big glass’ with modern, slim profiles.”

Windows and doors are available in a range of materials including aluminum, PVC/vinyl, steel and solid wood.

Mr Thatcher said: “The material and style are determined by aesthetics, function and budget. That is true for both residential and commercial clients.”

Door styles include traditional sliding doors, sleeker modern style sliding doors, which are popular in Europe, as well as French or swing doors, folding doors and walls, pivot doors, disappearing doors, storefront doors, automatic doors, all glass entranceways and more.

On the commercial side, Island Glass has been involved in some of the most prominent construction projects in Bermuda, including Waterloo House, the Waterfront complex, Seon Building, Brookfield House, Maxwell Roberts Building, The Berkeley Institute, RenaissanceRe, XL and Cambridge Beaches.

The company is also the main automatic door vendor on island – they installed the automatic entrance at the grand entranceway at the former home of The Royal Gazette on Par-la-Ville Road in Hamilton.

Island Glass deals with a range of vendors in the United States, Canada, Guatemala, Colombia, United Kingdom, Italy and Portugal.

Mr Thatcher said: “For the last 40 years, we’ve forged long-lasting relationships with high-quality manufacturers who understand the unique challenges of the Bermuda environment, and they stand behind Island Glass and we stand behind them.”

For clients who need products immediately, Island Glass stocks standard size PVC double hung windows, sliding doors, French doors and fiberglass entrance ways.

Working product samples are showcased in the company’s 1,450-square-foot showroom on Serpentine Road. That facility also includes a full glass shop and aluminium shop.

For custom orders the typical manufacturing lead times are four to eight weeks for standard products to the island while specialised products can take 12 to 16 weeks.

Island Glass also stocks the island’s largest selection of commercial and residential window and door hardware parts. They have a wide variety of hard to find “old” items as well as newer hardware.

Mr Thatcher said: “If there’s ever an issue, we can service a customer very quickly.”

The post Making an impact appeared first on RG Magazines.

Since 2010, the company has invested heavily in developing and upgrading its piped network, which now extends all the way to Somerset village.

In 2025, they completed a new reservoir and pumping station in Luke’s Pond, Southampton, which added an additional three million gallons of stored water to their 1.1 million gallons in Devonshire.

“What it means for the West End is that they are seeing a more resilient and consistent level of service,” explained Roger Todd, Bermuda Waterworks’ CEO.

Their focus now is on further expanding the water mains and creating distribution branches that will service the various neighbourhoods.

The new reservoir was only the first phase of development at Luke’s Pond. By 2028, Mr Todd hopes to complete a new, 5,000 square foot water treatment plant on the site.

“We will take seawater from three deep wells that will be located on the Luke’s Pond Reservoir property, and we will process that through the new Reverse Osmosis plant, and then we will discharge the brine water out to sea,” he said.

D&J Construction is the preferred contractor for the water treatment plant, which was designed by US-based water engineers, Kimley-Horn, and local architectural firm, Geoff Parker Architect. This is the same team that was behind the new reservoir and pumping station.

The new reservoir and water treatment plant doesn’t just mean a more reliable supply of water to existing households.

It will also allow for new building development.

“A lot of developers are now building more condominiums and more units per acre of land than they used to, so the water catchment associated with that development is not really increasing but the number of units are,” Mr Todd explained.

Using Loughlands in Paget, as an example, which has around 97 units in 15 buildings, he said that the feasibility of a development such as that was dependent on having piped water.

“At certain scales, trucking water in is not an option. What this means is that development in the West end doesn’t have to worry about sourcing their own potable water.”

The increased production of potable water will also benefit the island during times of drought, as Bermuda Waterworks can provide a top up service for water truckers.

Desalination is an energy intensive process and the environment, as well as energy costs, also matter to Mr Todd. Renewable energy is, therefore, a significant part of their plans.

The first project, which he hopes to complete this year, will be the installation of 78kWs of solar panels on the roof of the company’s North Shore plant.

“We will use every bit of the solar that’s generated and that will offset some of our energy costs,” he explained.

They are also exploring solar energy systems for their Devonshire headquarters as well as at Luke’s Pond. Ideally, Mr Todd would like to get as close to net zero as possible.

“That’s the blue sky scenario,” he smiled, adding, “ultimately, it will take the pressure off the pricing. It’s not just the customers benefiting from the price, it’s also the energy independence and the environmental benefits, the amount of CO2 we can offset.”

These projects are the latest in a long line of pioneering piped water development since Bermuda Waterworks was founded by Henry Watlington in 1932, but the mission and vision, said Mr Todd, always remain the same: “Ensuring Bermuda’s future with sustainable water solutions.”

The post Watering the West appeared first on RG Magazines.

Tragically, the head of the island’s oldest construction supply company died in December, but his daughters Alexis and Emily Biermann have a plan to celebrate their one-of-a-kind father and the 80th anniversary of the family business that day.

Alexis, 38, the eldest of the two, explained that the company was incorporated on Boxing Day 1946, but their dad’s birthday felt like a more fitting date for a party.

“We’re very honoured to get to be part of a really massive legacy on the island,” she said.

“We’re the third generation of Biermanns who are involved in the company now.

“We’re really, really excited to see where we’re going in the future.”

She added: “Our dad was a very interesting and wonderful guy, but he was also very old school.

‘He had a way of doing things and Emily and I come from a very different background and a very different world.”

Emily, 36, who recently took over as CEO of Bierman Concrete Products, said the anniversary celebration was still at the ideas stage.

“We’re brainstorming with a marketing agency. Nothing is fixed at this point, but I think as soon as we have a more clear idea, we’ll definitely make a big deal of it.”

Family affair

Neither sister planned to join the family firm, which was launched by their grandparents Herbert and Stella, as construction on the island ramped up after the Second World War, and then run for many decades by Mike.

The firm, which mined its own aggregate for many years, was the “central tent peg of the whole family structure” during their childhood, according to Alexis.

She recalled “fond memories” of sledding down the “ag pile” at its headquarters on Lolly’s Well Road, Smith’s.

Both women — who, like their mother Gale, use the traditional German spelling of Biermann — moved to North America, where they forged lives and careers, but they remained close with their parents.

When Mike became ill with cancer, they pitched in to help and it soon became clear that they did not want to let go of everything their formidable dad had built.

Emily said: “My husband and I made the tough decision to move back to the island [from New Hampshire] and really dive just headfirst into the day-to-day operations of the company.”

Her husband, Bermudian Dylan Robinson, is now facilities manager at Bierman’s and Alexis, who lives in Canada, is a director of the company.

Alexis said: “The real act of passing the torch has been within the last year or so as dad got sicker.

“We have felt really happy to be able to come on board and help with that.”

She stressed how pleased she was to see her younger sibling take over the reins of Bierman’s, while she will retain “more of a high-level involvement” from overseas.

“A lot going forward is going to be Emily’s vision and I couldn’t have more faith and excitement to see how things unfold if I tried,” said Alexis.

Bouncing back

Emily explained how Bierman’s, a major supplier of concrete block, “used to be an absolute bull in this industry, but within the last couple of decades, it’s sort of slowed down a lot”.

That is set to change, according to the sisters.

“We are in the middle of growing our workforce again and growing our fleet again,” explained Emily.

“Right now, we only have two trucks, but we have a third one coming … Bierman’s itself only employs four people, with a fifth starting in February.”

The firm also works closely with a company called Precision, run by Frank Fagundo, which supplies a lot of its labour force.

Alexis said: “We’re very much in a growth mindset right now. There’s going to be a lot of upgrades, a lot of new equipment, a lot of new faces.”

One idea is to build precast concrete housing to assist with the lack of affordable homes on the island.

Emily said: “You essentially have the precast frames that you fill with poured concrete, versus the traditional [concrete] block and rebar and mortar.

“It is a tad bit less individualised, but I’ve seen some really cool technology of how you can slot the modular pieces together and build a structure that’s all your own.”

She added: “Dad had a couple of examples, one specifically right next to the company, of precast concrete housing, so I would love to revitalise that again and see if that would be an option to get Bermudians to be first time home buyers or builders.

“I would really like Bierman’s to have a legacy in helping alleviate those challenges for not only Bermudians, but young Bermudians.”

Another hope is to get the company’s quarry permit reinstated.

“We’ve quarried our own limestone aggregate for the majority of the life span of Bierman’s being open and operating, but it’s only really been in the last decade and a bit that we’ve not been able to do that,” said Emily.

She said “there been an eternal struggle up here on the Smith’s property” about what the company should be allowed to do, but they planned to approach the issue in a gentler way than their dad.

Alexis added that with hefty construction costs in Bermuda, the plan could benefit the wider community, as the company could pass along savings to customers from quarrying its own aggregate.

Alexis said 2025 was “hell” for the family, due to their father’s illness and death, but taking on his business had been healing.

“It gives me a lot of peace and a lot of joy to be able to know that we, as a family, we really came together, we really rallied, and we were able to give dad the peace of mind to know that we got this,” she said.

“[We showed him] you have done all the work you were meant to do in this lifetime and you can rest in peace, truly.”

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