Puerto Rico’s top business, culture stories of 2025
From headline-driven cultural moments to billion-dollar development proposals, courtroom battles and changes in how Puerto Rico eats, builds, sells and innovates, 2025 was defined by transition.
The stories that resonated most reflected an island balancing global attention with local consequences — celebrating creativity and investment while grappling with questions of sustainability, transparency and long-term planning.
This year-in-review looks back at the top 10 most-read stories in News is my Business, which helped shape Puerto Rico’s business, economic and cultural discussion in 2025. Together, they offer a snapshot of where the island stood and the issues that are likely to carry into the year ahead. Click on the headline to access the full story.
Bad Bunny, Vibee launch immersive fan experience at Plaza Las Américas
Global superstar Bad Bunny partnered with Vibee to debut “Seguimo’ aquí: The Experience,” a multiroom immersive attraction at Plaza Las Américas tied to his historic residency at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico. The installation blended art, music and Puerto Rican cultural symbolism, offering interactive spaces, themed drinks, exclusive merchandise and VIP experiences. The project underscored the growing intersection of entertainment, tourism and experiential retail on the island.
‘Reimagined’ Ritz-Carlton in Isla Verde to reopen early next year
After nearly eight years closed following Hurricane María, the Ritz-Carlton San Juan announced plans to reopen in early to mid-2025 following more than $150 million in renovations. The overhaul modernized infrastructure, expanded room offerings and emphasized sustainability while integrating Puerto Rican cultural elements. The reopening is expected to generate up to 700 jobs and reinforce Puerto Rico’s high-end tourism rebound.
Esencia, a $2B, 2K-acre planned community proposed for Cabo Rojo
Developers Reuben Brothers and Three Rules Capital unveiled Esencia, a $2 billion, 2,000-acre master-planned luxury community in Cabo Rojo. The long-term project proposes hotels, branded residences, golf courses, schools, wellness facilities and extensive conservation areas, with developers pledging to preserve at least 75% of the land as open space. Esencia sparked intense public debate around development, environmental protection and community integration.
Ritz-Carlton San Juan owners sue Quantum Vision Construction for breach of contract, delays
The owners of the Ritz-Carlton San Juan filed a federal lawsuit against Quantum Vision Construction, alleging breach of contract, construction delays and defective work during the hotel’s renovation. The legal action highlighted the operational and financial challenges behind large-scale post-disaster redevelopment projects and added complexity to the hotel’s long-awaited reopening timeline.
Audubon approves Esencia’s pursuit of top sustainability certification
Audubon International approved Esencia’s pursuit of its Signature Platinum Certification, the organization’s highest sustainability designation. If achieved, Esencia would become the largest development globally to earn the certification, reinforcing the developers’ commitment to environmental stewardship while elevating the project’s profile amid public scrutiny.
Bottles revamps model with pricing cuts, new tip system
Guaynabo-based restaurant Bottles implemented major operational changes under new ownership, including menu price reductions, a return to traditional tipping and service model transparency. The revamp followed employee litigation tied to the former ownership and aimed to rebuild customer trust, improve employee incentives and modernize the dining experience as the brand expanded its footprint.
DDR Escorial sues Arby’s franchisee in Carolina over $1.49M lease default
DDR Escorial LLC filed a lawsuit seeking nearly $1.5 million in damages from the former operators of an Arby’s restaurant in Carolina, alleging repeated lease defaults and failure to operate continuously. The case underscored the financial pressures facing restaurant operators and shopping center landlords amid shifting consumer patterns.
A look ahead: Puerto Rico’s tech sector ‘bootstrapping’ in 2025
Parallel18 Executive Director Héctor Jirau forecast a shift toward bootstrapping in Puerto Rico’s tech ecosystem, with startups prioritizing profitability over rapid venture-backed growth. He also predicted a “cleansing” in the AI sector, warning that companies without proprietary or functional AI would disappear as the market matures.
Costco partners with DoorDash to offer delivery services in Puerto Rico
Costco Puerto Rico began offering delivery through DoorDash in Bayamón, San Juan and Caguas without a formal announcement. The move expanded last-mile delivery options for members and nonmembers alike and signaled continued evolution in retail convenience and digital commerce on the island.
Bad Bunny’s stage house sparks debate on nostalgia, policy, and progress
Bad Bunny’s concert residency sparked widespread discussion after featuring a modest Puerto Rican house as its central stage symbol. The imagery prompted broader reflection on nostalgia, housing, urban planning and displacement, highlighting tensions between cultural celebration and structural challenges facing Puerto Rico’s future development.
