Dominican President Launches $700M City Center Project, Citing Job Growth

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — President Luis Abinader on Thursday broke ground on the $700 million City Center by Lady Lee mega-project in Santo Domingo Este, a development he said would generate more than 6,000 jobs and transform the urban and commercial landscape of the area.

During the ceremony, Abinader highlighted the project as a symbol of the Dominican Republic's current economic momentum. He noted that Lady Lee, a company with over five decades of international experience, chose Santo Domingo Este due to its confidence in the nation's economic climate.

The complex will be situated on the Autopista de las Américas, mere minutes from the international airport of the same name, offering strategic road connections. Abinader described it as a "city center" designed to integrate commerce, housing, tourism, and services.

He further stated that City Center is projected to create more than 6,000 direct jobs, alongside thousands of indirect positions. The project will incorporate sustainability criteria, including energy-saving systems and responsible water and waste management.

Abinader affirmed that the initiative ushers in a new era of opportunities for Santo Domingo Este and expressed gratitude to the investors for their trust in the country.

Víctor Bisonó, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Mipymes, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the $700 million investment reflects the private sector's confidence in the nation's stability. He asserted that the mega-project represents a significant transformation for Santo Domingo Este and the entire country.

Beyond job creation, Bisonó explained, the development will activate value chains, bolster local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and open new avenues for Dominican talent. He thanked Lady Lee Corporation for its commitment, stating that such initiatives confirm the economic and social stability fostered by the Abinader administration. "Santo Domingo Este turns a new page, and with it, so does the Dominican Republic," Bisonó said.

Rachid Maalouf, President of Lady Lee Corporation, described the undertaking as an ambitious mixed-use project that will reshape Santo Domingo Este's urban development. He said it would integrate commercial, hospitality, residential, and corporate zones into a world-class complex.

Maalouf detailed plans for over 400 commercial spaces, including shops, restaurants, a gym, cinemas, and a casino, alongside medical and financial services. The development will also feature hotel, residential, and office towers, creating an ecosystem designed to boost local and national economies and generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs. He added that the project would include urban interventions to improve connectivity and traffic flow in the surrounding area.

The Lady Lee president reiterated the corporation's confidence in the Dominican Republic and the growth potential of Santo Domingo Este, acknowledging the support from local and national authorities. He envisioned the complex as a hub where commerce, culture, innovation, and sustainability converge, solidifying its place as one of the country's most significant urban developments.

Santo Domingo Este Mayor Dio Astacio welcomed the project, stating that City Center by Lady Lee would mark a new era for the municipality, acting as a catalyst for urban modernization and opportunity generation. He noted that the development would drive local economic growth and symbolize private sector confidence in the area's sustained expansion.

Bishop Manuel Ruiz of the Stella Maris Diocese offered a blessing for the groundbreaking ceremony. Among the dignitaries present were Minister of Labor Eddy Olivares, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Franklin García Fermín, ProDominicana Director Biviana Riveiro, and National Police Director Major General Ramón Antonio Guzmán Peralta.