A near seven year old government proposal to raise height restrictions on city buildings has been floated again, but this time from within the private sector.

Bermuda architects believe the delivery of the new City of Hamilton Plan 2024 is imminent, after a draft was published in February by Vance Campbell, the then Minister of Cabinet Office and Tourism.

Mr Campbell said at the time that one component of the plan proposes a discretion-based approach to decision-making, removing the need for rigid numerical standards “which have proven to be increasingly problematic within the City in recent years in terms of developer viability”.

Architects Jonathan Castro and Ché Caines of E Se Studios have not just proposed adding a couple of floors to permitted building height, but have floated the idea of hi-rise buildings in the city.

In a Letter to the Editor of The Royal Gazette, they commented: “As the height above sea level rises, north of Victoria Street, buildings of up to 16 stories and even up to 20, past Elliott Street, could allow us to optimise the city spaces without negatively impacting the look and feel of our city.”

They see value in the government proposal, promoted by David Burt, the Premier and Minister of Finance in his 2018/19 Budget Statement.

Mr Burt’s Budget Statement said at the time: “It is prudent to incentivise additional development within the City of Hamilton, which will reduce future traffic congestion and strain on our road infrastructure.

“For as long as we can remember, the Bermuda Cathedral has restricted the height of buildings in the city; however, as we look to the future, it is time to consign old restrictions to the history books.”

The architects declared in their letter that restrictions on building heights have “stifled Hamilton’s skyline for too long”.

They say the restrictions were “highlighted by the recent denial of planning permission for a seven-story building on Pitts Bay Road.”

They added: “We think it’s time for a thoughtful reconsideration of these restrictions, aiming to foster a balance between traditional Bermudian architecture and modern urban demands.”

E Se Studios portray on their corporate website an idea of the future they see for Hamilton, with a design for a mixed-use development at Park House, 39 Cedar Avenue, the present site of The Queen’s Club, a building said to be recently sold.

The website says: “This iconic tower will redefine Bermuda’s architecture, introducing a bold 16-story statement to the city’s skyline. Our proposal integrates retail, residential, and commercial spaces into a vibrant, walkable community. Inspired by successful micro-communities, we aim to create a dynamic live-work-play environment where residents can thrive.”

Lead designer Ché Caines told The Royal Gazette yesterday that the number of floors is not set in stone, but a good starting point for a discussion of the future.

Taking the Cathedral Of The Most Holy Trinity, as the starting point, he said: “We’re suggesting that any such scaling of buildings would occur further back in the city, where it won’t conflict with the Cathedral, Front Street and the historical context of the city.

“In some areas you can get to five storeys before reaching the grade level of the Cathedral.

“When you look at it from a wider context, and not just a figure – like 20 floors, then you can really start to unpack what a 15-20 storey building would look like, when its five blocks away and starting from a lower level than the Cathedral.

“People outside of the profession wouldn’t normally consider these features, but it can make a difference.”

Jonathan Castro said: “We just want to see Bermuda leave the limitations of the past behind. “Our company’s name, E Se, means ‘What If’.

“What if we did build a 20 story building, what does that do to the Hamilton skyline. If no one ever takes the initiative we are relegated into doing the same type policies over and over again.

“The height of buildings are driven marginally by the height of the Cathedral. We want to challenge the idea. Why not try something different.”