ABSTRACT
Unlike in North America and elsewhere, condominium development in the Caribbean has not been brought about by the pressures of land shortages in the metropolitan areas or the desire for city living, but rather by the needs of the tourism industry. Thus, condominium structures in the Caribbean tend not to be high-rise, multi-storey edifi ces used by local residents as their only or principal home, but relatively small two or three-storey buildings sited near the sea and used by vacationing foreign residents. The condominium concept is intended to incorporate the economic advantages of co-operative apartment living with the economic and psychological advantages of home ownership, but, in the Caribbean, these aims are perhaps less important than the desire to enjoy or benefi t from holiday accommodation in an idyllic location. In addition, condominium development in the Caribbean is often commercial – utilised by small businesses, such as beauty salons, boutiques and souvenir shops in resort areas.
