This year, Arch and Godfrey celebrates its 50th anniversary. The company’s growth and evolution, in many ways, mirrors that of the Cayman Islands as a whole. Half a century ago, when the company was founded, these islands were barely known to the outside world. But change was in the air.

THE ORIGINS

A number of condos and hotels were starting to be built, and a budding tourism industry was taking shape. Heber Arch, at 23 years old, and having recently returned from an engineering college in Jamaica, knew this spelt opportunity for the construction industry. But he also knew that small local firms, such as his family’s business, J. H. Arch Construction, could not compete with the large, international firms that were dominating the building industry in Cayman at the time.

If the family firm wanted to challenge the big players, they would need a larger company’s support and international expertise. And so, Heber Arch contacted Michael and James Godfrey, directors of Townend and Godfrey Brothers Ltd., in Jamaica, for whom he had worked after graduating, and in 1972 the two merged to form Arch and Godfrey.

From the outset, the firm focused on delivering excellence – which meant not only high-quality construction but also establishing solid, lasting relationships with clients, delivering projects on time, and staying within budget. It is a strategy that has ensured many of their clients have returned to them time and again over the decades, knowing they can trust Arch and Godfrey to execute their vision.

HOMES, HOTELS, AIRPORT, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND RETAIL

The firm started with design-build projects for large, finely finished homes, performing as many aspects of the process as they could in-house. By the 1980s, they had branched out into building condos – some of the earliest being Villas Pappagallo, Lacovia and Cayman Coves – as well as office buildings in George Town, such as the Guinness Mahon building (now Artemis House).

In 1984 Arch and Godfrey was contracted to build the Owen Roberts International Airport Terminal, their biggest challenge thus far, and succeeded in completing the project several months ahead of schedule, ensuring considerable savings for the Government.

Having proved the company could deliver large-scale, modern developments, Arch and Godfrey went on to construct several hotels, including the Comfort Suites and Sunshine Suites, and a number of retail centres, such as Bayshore Mall, Governors Square and Grand Harbour. Today their projects include everything from supermarkets, schools, healthcare, and retail centres to hospitality, Class A office buildings, luxury residential properties and some of the finest condominiums along
Seven Mile Beach.

KEEPING PACE WITH GLOBAL INNOVATION

As the islands have grown and developed, residences, offices and resorts have become larger, more luxurious and more daring in design. To stay on par with the most advanced countries in the world, Arch and Godfrey has continuously adopted new technologies, from Building Information Modelling to building to LEED-certification standards and embracing innovations in the industry.

In 1986, the company built the Cayman Islands’ first energy-efficient project, the Genesis Building, and since then has continued to advocate for more sustainable design and construction. Practising what it preaches, Arch and Godfrey renovated its own offices, incorporating numerous environmentally conscious measures that resulted in the building being awarded LEED-platinum certification. The company is now proud to be building Periwinkle, the islands’ first residential community that puts sustainable design, construction and materials first.

Arch and Godfrey has equally embraced ambitious designs and advanced developments: the firm built Cayman’s first ten-storey structure, The WaterColours, and currently has over 200 workers employed on The Watermark. Their largest project to date, this ultra-exclusive development will raise the bar for luxury living across the region.

SOLID RELATIONSHIPS

Building harmonious, mutually respectful relationships, internally and externally, has always been a priority. Arch and Godfrey is quick to attribute its success to those it works with, from employees to clients, sub-contractors and suppliers.

It is why so many of their employees stay with them long-term, spending their whole careers with the firm, and why so many of their clients return to them time and again with new projects.

THE NEXT PHASE

As Arch and Godfrey marks 50 years in business, Heber Arch is taking a well-earned step back and handing the baton to his son, Garth. As Managing Director, Garth Arch will build on the legacy of excellence in construction and continue the tradition of forging fruitful, long-lasting relationships with clients.

Cayman’s robust economy and thriving real estate market bode well for the future. Garth is committed to ensuring Arch and Godfrey continues to play a key role in these islands’ ongoing development and prosperity.