Saint Kitts and Nevis to transform historic Fort Thomas Hotel into museum

The Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis is finalizing negotiations to repurpose the historic Fort Thomas Hotel property at Fortlands, Basseterre, into a world-class Museum of Caribbean History. The project will also feature restaurants, public spaces, and monuments celebrating the region’s shared heritage.

An Environmental Impact Assessment has been completed, and an archaeologist will be assigned to the project to identify, preserve, and, where appropriate, integrate any items of archaeological significance into the Museum.

The development is being negotiated under a lease-to-own model, allowing the developer to purchase the property only upon successful completion of the project and delivery of the agreed public amenities. Plans also include coastal erosion stabilization to protect the Fortlands shoreline and maintain the site’s structural integrity.

The initiative comes after decades of deterioration at the property, which the Government has owned since 1999. Officials say the project will reverse this decline, transforming the site into a vibrant cultural, educational, and tourism destination while honoring its historical significance.

“The government is moving forward responsibly, guided by a clear public-interest framework, to deliver a nationally significant cultural asset for Basseterre, for Saint Kitts and Nevis, and for the wider Caribbean,” a government statement said. Further updates will be provided once the plans and negotiations are finalized.