The Cornerhouse Project

A New Downtown Destination for Bahamian Culture, Commerce & Creativity

Something fresh is coming to Downtown Nassau—rooted in Bahamian culture, powered by small businesses, and designed for vibrant community life.

The Cornerhouse Market is a visionary project by the Bahamas Development Bank (BDB) to transform a historic property in the heart of the city into a one-of-a-kind marketplace and cultural hub. Picture a space where over 200 Bahamian entrepreneurs come together to showcase local art, handmade goods, food, wellness products, and immersive cultural experiences—all under one beautiful, heritage-preserved roof.

The project has been approved for exploration, and BDB is now in the Project Preparation Phase, which means we’re laying the groundwork—gathering data, engaging partners, and finalizing plans—to present to our Board of Directors for a final investment decision.

What Cornerhouse Will Offer

More than a market. More than a museum. More than a cultural centre. Cornerhouse is all of that— and more.

The vision includes:

• A bustling marketplace with shelf and micro-retail space for Bahamian MSMEs
• Event spaces for festivals, sip & paints, workshops, and culinary experiences
• A micro-spa and wellness hub for self-care and relaxation
• A demonstration kitchen for cooking classes and tastings of traditional dishes
• A craft room and theatre celebrating Bahamian storytelling, music, and film
• A digital platform for e-commerce, shipping, and wholesale ordering
• Onsite business support services and access to financing
• A living tribute to our heritage with a museum and guided history tours

Why It Matters

Small Bahamian businesses are full of promise—
but too often, they face barriers to visibility, growth & financing.

Cornerhouse is designed to flip the script by:

• Lowering the cost of doing business through shared infrastructure
• Offering direct access to the country’s largest visitor market
• Helping entrepreneurs scale with technical support and financing options
• Creating a beautiful, welcoming space for locals and tourists alike
• Celebrating Bahamian culture through art, food, music, and storytelling

Where We Are Now

We’re in the exploration and planning phase.

Here’s what that means:

• We’ve identified a prime historic property
• The concept has been reviewed and endorsed for further development
• We’re conducting architectural, financial, and environmental assessments
• Stakeholder outreach is underway with potential partners and vendors

The final investment decision will be made by the BDB Board once the project preparation process is complete.