Every time I pass by the Heritage Bank building, right across from Central Park, I can’t help but picture what once stood there, one of the most iconic landmarks in San Pedro’s history. Long before modern buildings took over, this was the site of the Blake House, home to the prominent Blake family. It was a magnificent structure, towering above the old “village,” a proud example of classic British colonial architecture that gave San Pedro a touch of elegance and charm.
In later years, the property became the Barrier Reef Hotel, owned and lovingly operated by John and Jeanie Bramekamp, who also lived there with their family. It was more than just a hotel, it was part of the island’s heartbeat, a place filled with laughter, visitors, and island life unfolding day by day.
Sadly, time caught up with the old building, and the structure had to come down as it began to age and deteriorate. Still, for many of us who remember it, the Blake House, and later the Barrier Reef Hotel, remains a beautiful piece of San Pedro’s story, one that helped shape the heart of downtown as we know it today.
Flashback Photograph by John D. Westerhold (Iguana Jack) 1975.
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