From a long stretch of remote Anegada beachfront to an industrial acre in what could soon be a busy St. Croix shipyard, available Virgin Islands commercial real estate rivals its dream homes.
Dreams of owning a historic property on Charlotte Amalie’s Main Street might have some wake-up screaming. But if the idea sparks joy in you, have a look at 26 Dronningens Gade, adjacent to the Royal Dane Mall. The 1963-built, 3,600-square-foot interior features a 1,750-square-foot retail space at street level and opportunity for two apartments upstairs, according to multiple listing agents.
Sales on Main Street ebb and flow but are pretty well documented. A venture further south could be a long-term boon for an adventurous industrialist.
Research groups have been studying the feasibility of building a large ship repair yard on St. Croix’s south shore for two years. In early June, the first study results came back, suggesting it was possible and a money maker. Although the researchers suggested more studies were needed, they identified the Krause basin as the best spot for the shipyard, having a wide turning basin and existing facilities like a machine shop and smaller cranes.
Earlier this month, the Economic Development Authority announced St. Croix Shipyards LLC, a partnership between PetroMar International and Global Engagement Support Services, had started pre-construction of what could be the Caribbean’s largest shipyard.
In one of the more unusual real estate listings out there, 1,242 acres of land adjacent to the proposed site — stretching from the airport to the container port — is for sale or lease. Listed at $90 million, the seller was willing to break up the vast expanse into one-acre parcels.
A portion of the property includes a two deep berths, one 32 feet and one 20 feet, suitable for bulk products and roll-on roll-off shipping, according to listing agents. The listing also says the site is cleared for dredging material placement, meaning the berths could be deeper adjacent to the 1,100-foot by 1,800-foot turning basin along the 7,000-foot channel, which has a 32-foot working depth.
The absolute opposite of industrial ship repair and the bustling Main Street hustle is remote, ghostly Anegada. With little more than trade winds, a passing gull, and the gently lapping waves to distract from a total sense of serenity, whoever buys the Anegada Beach Club will have a truly unusual business to run.
Renovated several times since 2018, the club’s 16 thatch-roofed bungalows and nine open-sided palapas sit along 10 acres of Anegada’s trademark white-sand beaches on the northwestern shore.
The site includes two beach bars, a restaurant with tables set in the sand, a lobby and gift shop, manager’s cottage, the island’s only pool, and multiple water sports operations. Furnishings were custom designed in Nicaragua, according to listing agents.
Anegada is notoriously difficult to get to, so the beach club has a dedicated helipad, as well as a generator and solar system guaranteeing round-the-clock electricity, trucks, and a Digicell tower contract. A 100,000-gallon cistern assures adequate potable water. The hotel suites include cable, Wi-Fi, and telephone.
Built in 2013, the current owners are asking $16.5 million.
