Turn Admin Building into mall, conference facility & hotel- Mark H. Vanterpool
Speaking on the Talking Points radio programme on Monday, September 28, 2026, Vanterpool argued that moving hundreds of public officers back into the complex would create congestion, concentrate security risks, and do little to stimulate economic activity in the capital after normal working hours.
Vanterpool outlined a vision for the Administration Building
“I would say plainly, and simply, Government should not return to the Government Administration Building,” the former Communications and Works Minister and former Fourth District Representative declared during the programme.
The businessman outlined a vision in which the ground floor of the complex would be converted into a small mall with approximately 600-square-foot incubator spaces, giving first-time entrepreneurs an affordable opportunity to establish businesses in the heart of Road Town.
He proposed converting the upper levels into conference facilities and hotel accommodation, possibly linked to Maria’s by the Sea or another existing hotel operation, to create a destination that generates foot traffic and revenue beyond the traditional 8-to-5 public service schedule.
“What you’re doing is creating economic activity in the city. Any city needs economic activity. That’s what the Administration Building should do,” Vanterpool argued.
Decentralisation and economic concerns
The complex has remained out of full operation since sustaining extensive damage during Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. Rehabilitation commenced in 2019, with successive completion dates being announced and later revised.
The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government recently stated that it intends to return the seat of government to the building in 2027, with major interior works moving towards implementation. Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) reaffirmed this timeline during his 2026 State of the Territory address.
Communications and Works Minister Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has said taxpayers are currently incurring over $2 million each year in rents and related costs for ministries and departments housed in temporary facilities, expenses that would be avoided once staff return to the complex.
However, Vanterpool warned that removing government offices from privately owned buildings would leave substantial commercial space vacant and could place landlords and their financial obligations under pressure.
“Explain to me what is to happen to those spaces and those landlords. Who is going to take the space up? Are the banks going to foreclose upon them?”
He noted that leasing the Ralph T. O'Neal Administration Complex for commercial development could generate revenue to help finance the Government’s existing rental arrangements, rather than adding to vacancy risks in the private market.
Call for distributed government services
Vanterpool also challenged the long-standing practice of concentrating government services in one location, arguing that it creates traffic congestion, centralises economic activity and places numerous ministers and public officers within the same security environment.
Instead, he called for government services to be strategically distributed across the Territory, including Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost van Dyke.
“Why not have tourism in Virgin Gorda? Why not have fisheries in Anegada? Why not have the Ministry of Environment in Jost van Dyke?” he asked.
Vanterpool said decentralisation would bring jobs, commercial activity and government services directly to the sister islands, which he stressed must be treated as equal partners in the Territory’s economic development.
Long-delayed rehabilitation project
The Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex rehabilitation has been marked by delays and revised timelines. More than $10 million has been committed to the project, with approximately $8 million already spent as of 2025.
Vanterpool’s proposal comes as the Government prepares to move forward with major interior works, framing a debate over whether the complex should resume its original function as the central seat of government or be reimagined as a catalyst for private-sector growth in Road Town.
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53 Responses to “Turn Admin Building into mall, conference facility & hotel- Mark H. Vanterpool”
Sorry but this is quite an absurd quote, we all know who these said landlords are, and the idea that the government needs continue in this manner because the landlords will "struggle to fill the space" is moronic.
This is a bad idea for the country and a waste of money if it continues beyount the 10 years. This sort of statment will not get you elected and were hoping for fresh ideas to move this country forward.
Do I see desperation? People, take heed of the saying “beware of Greeks bearing gifts”.
I will not be bought.
Like Buju Banton, and as an ancestral Virgin Islander, I firmly believe that we should control our own DESTINY.
If the landlords charged normal prices, the spaces will be taken.
it's long overdue!!
Who think this is a good idea is as far from reality as Mark . First of all 80 % of all the malls in America have been closed. Secondly, we need all those government offices under one roof so people can walk from one government office to another making it easier to do government business. And last but not least, is the 100 of thousands th we government will save in paying rent for office spaces. Mark has no vision just had a little luck a some sh**&& deals to get him where he is today.
Prior to being ravaged by monster, Cat 5 Hurricane Irma in 2017, the Ralph T. O’Neil Administrative Building housed civil servants. Post Hurricane Irma, government has been leasing private spaces to house civil servants, costing taxpayers millions every month. Government has a responsibility and obligation to deliver services effectively and efficiently. Leasing private spaces is not and cannot be a long plan. Did the owners of private spaces construct them just to lease to governments? Government must strive to reduce cost without reducing serves. Politicians must work for the public interest, not self-interest?
Complete the repairs to the Administration Building and complete the churn of moving people/staff into it. Why the repairs taking so long?
And honestly, I never really understood the idea of turning the entire complex into a mall. A mall sounds good in theory, but without a sustainable tenant mix, consistent foot traffic, and a long-term plan for maintenance and investment, it could eventually struggle and fail over time. Meanwhile, we already have a government facility that could be properly utilized to house government departments.
Think about how much money could be saved by reducing all those rental expenses. Those savings could then be redirected into things that actually need investment—fixing our roads and infrastructure, addressing the ongoing water and electricity issues, improving public facilities, increasing government salaries, and giving departments better operating budgets.
And when it comes to the roads, we should also be asking whether we are getting the best value for money when projects are being carried out over budget and, in some cases, by individuals or companies whose qualifications and suitability for the work have been questioned. That is even more reason to look at where government can reduce unnecessary expenditure and redirect those funds to essential services and infrastructure.
If the Administration Complex was built to accommodate government operations, we should be making better use of it. Government shouldn’t continue paying private landlords year after year when it already has a central facility that could house many of these departments. Put that money back into the Territory and invest in things that provide long-term value to residents.