Residential
When we first started The NCB Group in 2001 we had a clear understanding of what we wanted to achieve in all our developments, much more than building "some condos” or “some houses” we wanted to strive to create communities with design and amenities that create a pleasant environment for the residents not only when they moved in but also far into the future. As a local company with products tailored mainly for Caymanains and residents it is very important to us that all our communities function well and sustain good value appreciation for purchasers, so that the potential purchasers know that by buying an NCB home they are not only purchasing a quality built residence but they are also becoming a member of a community, the environment of which will further enhance their lifestyle and home value in the future.
For most of us purchasing our home is the biggest investment we make and it is therefore very important we make the right decision not only in choosing who is to build our home but where it is to be built. In Cayman we have many great subdivisions but the problem with any sub-division is the lack of control and understanding of what the future build out of the area will bring, or if in fact it will be built out in the foreseeable future! You may have a beautiful home but if it is situated in a “marl desert” it will be far less attractive to potential buyers when you come to sell your investment in the future. Many of our better subdivisions have restrictive covenants in place to help control development but even these do not allow for all contingencies and are often unwieldy to enforce.
NCB’s philosophy is to take smaller areas of land and fully develop the property from raw land through to completed residences and infrastructure, in this manner we can ensure the quality of the community and that the size/style and quality is in keeping with the initial vision of the development. As a purchaser this allows you to be sure of what you as a home buyer are investing in. Because we take smaller land areas and develop fully it also ensures that you will be part of a fully functioning community that will not only increase the value of your investment but also will enhance your lifestyle as a resident.
In order to establish communities rather than simply develop property it is necessary for us as a company to spend considerable time and effort in the initial design and urban plan of developments paying close attention to home style, proximity to infrastructure, landscaping and amenities such as pools, parks and gymnasiums. Another important factor is consideration of the community management post construction to ensure the maintenance of the development.
The result is what we hope are great communities that will be enjoyed by residents for the foreseeable future. I would encourage you to take a drive around our finished communities and speak to some of the residents to ask what living there is like such as Woodland Glen, Springfield’s, Cypress Pointe, Grand Villas, Lakeside and Sailfish Quay. If you need directions be sure to call us, or we will happily give you a tour!
Commercial
NCB also now specializes in commercial development. We can co-ordinate and instruct office re-furbishments, restaurant fit outs or design and build new office space. NCB have successfully completed the following restaurant fit outs Karma, Changs, Dolce Vita with KARoo Restaurant schedule to commence in 2011. We have also completed the fit out for All Fired Up, a make you own pottery and mosaic studio in The Strand.
NCB have been involved with many renovations for Deloitte both at One Capital Place and at Citrus Grove. Some of the more major work has been the completion of the new Data Suites and the new AC systems. Plus an entire office renovation of the ground floor for Kindred Investments. NCB has also completed the new Cayman 1st office in Harbour Place and the warehouse for Premier Wines and Spirits.
Construction
NCB Construction offers its clients a multifaceted approach to homebuilding. The company, established in 2009, takes clients through the entire building process from concept and design to final finishing and landscaping. Although it faces a weaker market than in past years, the company confidently pushes toward the future.
“Our operation remains strong because we’re the only construction company in Cayman that offers planning, architectural design and contracting services under one umbrella,” Managing Director, Matthew Wight asserts. “Our architects, managers and contractors work as one congruent team to build quality homes.” He adds that this approach eliminates the adversarial relationships that sometimes cause rifts between stakeholders.
As an established company, NCB’s salespeople have developed strong relationships with clients to understand their preferences. The staff is also very knowledgeable in Cayman’s planning laws and processes, which facilitates both the development and building processes. NCB has also distinguished itself by pioneering insulated concrete form (ICF) construction in Cayman. According to Bill Cherry, Construction Manager, “ICF construction simplifies the wall-building process and eliminates waste in construction.” Since concrete-built homes offer the advantages of insect resistance and strength in hurricanes, Cherry says ICF and NCB Cayman homes are a perfect match. An added bonus is that the forms are manufactured on the island by Formtech, eliminating import taxes and reducing transportation costs.
ICF construction uses expanded polystyrene blocks that are clipped together to create spaces between the foam blocks. When stacked together in various configurations, concrete is poured into the forms to create solid walls. “Additionally, the polystyrene adds insulating value to the walls,” Cherry explains. “This can ultimately reduce utility bills for our clients.” No stranger to ICF innovation, Cherry was part of the team that built the first ICF home in the United States in 1991. He has since led training programs to educate subcontractors on ICF construction methods.
Another innovation Cherry has brought to the fore is the introduction of Hambro concrete flooring systems. These consist of a steel girder and roller bar system that is covered with mesh and plywood. Concrete is poured on top of the mesh/plywood to create a floor above the girders. This system complements ICF construction particularly well in multifamily dwellings. “The Hambro product actually allowed us to work beneath the flooring before the 28-day curing time was completed,” Cherry says. Although the Formtech and Hambro systems are slightly more expensive, Wight says they balanced the cost by reducing the number of man-hours needed.
OUR SERVICES
- Engineering and Design
- Managing the Planning Process
- Constructability reviews
- Design and construction schedules
- Contract document development
- Contract bidding, negotiation and award
- On-site management and coordination
- Contract administration
- Quality control and inspection
- Master plan implementation
- Safety monitoring
- Budget management
- Change control and management
- Audits and cost-to-complete estimates
- Operation and maintenance manuals
- Owner training and orientation
- Project completion and close-out
- Final project walk-through
- Final billings and contract close-outs
Property Services
Community living requires a different understanding to that of owning an individual home. At NCB Property Services we make the management of residential and commercial strata’s a breeze. It is crucial that the Strata Company has access to the tools and resources that enable the Lot owners and occupiers to fully understand their type of residential or commercial property. At NCB we offer Financial Management, Operational Management, Project Management and Administrative Management to cover all of the above issues.
Design
NCB have teamed up with Celecia Bancroft, Principal Architect of Bancroft Design Group. Celecia Bancroft attained her Bachelors degree in Architecture from Florida International University in 1997 and has since contributed to many of the developments throughout the islands including a number of multi residential projects, single family homes and commercial fit-outs. This partnership will enable NCB to offer her experience in the architectural and construction industry along with her added experience of working with a local structural engineering company and with the Cayman Islands Department of Planning to all its clients. With full in-house design and architectural services NCB can now offer their clients something that most other development companies cannot on the island. Bancroft Design Group is an independent company working alongside NCB and can also take architectural work for any outside companies or individuals. For more information you can go to www.bdgroup.ky to view work completed by Bancroft Design Group.
