Pat Cash Tennis Hotel at Buccament Bay and The Marquis Estate

The Caribbean Developer is proposing to build a Pat Cash Tennis Hotel at Buccament Bay, St Vincent & The Grenadines and The Marquis Estate, St Lucia.

The Pat Cash Tennis Hotel will be designed to offer luxury accommodation for tennis fans in an environment that will reflect Pat Cash’s love of tennis featuring memorabilia from the years he has played tennis, including his Wimbledon win.

The hotel will include a restaurant and boutique stocked with the latest tennis clothing and equipment.

The hotel will be situated within the main resort and will be the perfect place for guests to stay who wish to be coached at the Pat Cash Tennis Academy as well as offering extended stays for guests who wish to take longer courses of tuition to improve their tennis game.
The facility will cater for youngsters who are showing particular talent in this sport as well as for teams who wish to be coached prior to the tennis season in their home country.

LINK: Pat Cash Hotel Price List

Update on each of the resorts in the Caribbean: February 2010

The Merricks, Barbados

The first phase of The Merricks is scheduled to open in late 2011. The developer purchased this stunning piece of land and beach with outline planning permission in 2006. Since then The developer has been working through the various planning stages to meet the requirements of the Barbados Government in order to receive full planning permission to commence construction.
All the relevant feasibility reports and plans were submitted to the Government by May 2009 and subsequently Dave Ames and the ICE Group, The developer & the Hotels & Resorts’ construction company, attended the final planning meeting in October 2009.
The developer and its proposal for The Merricks have received the full support of the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Rt. Hon. David Thompson. In December Dave Ames was interviewed about The Merricks on radio in Barbados. The Government is currently compiling the extensive documentation which comprises the full planning permission. The developer has been advised this is close to being finally approved by town planning in Barbados and is due to be put before the Prime Minister for his final approval. ICE is ready to start work in earnest immediately full planning permission is received.

Las Canas & The Hideaway, Dominican Republic

Landscaping of the entrance to The Hideaway at Las Canas was completed in early 2009. More land has been purchased which will accommodate the back of house facilities for the resort. Full planning permission is in place and construction will commence in early 2010. The Hideaway will open at the beginning of 2011. Land clearing and pre-build groundworks will start on the main Las Canas resort in early 2010.

Two Rivers, Dominican Republic

During 2009 more land was purchased at the entrance to the resort which will enable the developer to extend the reception area and include another restaurant. Full planning permission is in place and in early 2010 the land will be cleared. This will be followed by the land being raised and pre-build groundworks.

The Marquis Estate, St Lucia

Environmental Impact Assessment Studies are currently in progress and once these are completed detailed planning will be finalised. Work to improve the roads so that they can support the heavy plant required during the build will start in early 2010. Land clearing will commence soon afterwards and construction will begin with the Gary Player Signature Golf Course and Gary Player Golf Hotel.

Assets International Client Update :: February 2010

Site Progress Report - Buccament Bay Update (06/01/2010)

Foundation works on the waterfront area continue at speed with a special construction crew designated to this area. The below image shows the foundations of the Trader Vics Restaurant coming out of the ground and the area technical drawing gives an indication of the location in the grander scheme. Build is on schedule to have the bulk of the building works complete in this area within 4 months. The building position here shows the extent to which the beach reconstruction will form new land allowing the pools and beach club to cascade over incremental walkways down to the new beach line and waters edge. See pictures 1 and 2 below






Pictures of the far end of the beach illustrate the extent to which the beach reconstruction is now forming new land with substantial new dry beach and wet beach areas being created. Please see photo 3 below. This process moves forward in line with the construction schedule of the breakwaters beneath the waterline that will protect the beach from any surges and hold the white sand which will arrive in the coming months. Engineering and modelling work for this was carried out by world leading marine architect and construction teams at Baird and Associates. See Picture 3 below.



Block 3 work continues and casting has now been complete for the 3rd floor which will be lifted into place and completed over the coming weeks. See Picture 4.



Block 1 (Waters Edge) Foundations can be seen in photo 5 (below) coming out of the ground and casting has begun for the first floor panels. Overall block development continues on target and the team at ICE construction has two new high powered cranes on site to harness and lift floors into place. See Picture 5.

Buccament Bay Update (30/11/2009)

The group developers have visited the site this week and has relayed to us the extent of the work that has been carried out over the past few weeks. The enclosed photograph was taken this morning and shows the latest update on the site. We have set out some of the addition points of interest that may not be apparent from the photograph.

Marina
You will see that works on the marina area have been extended out. The breakwater on the left hand side has been doubled in size and the one on the right hand side has been extended out. Work has begun on the new underwater reef, between the two breakwaters, which will to protect the beach area.

Restaurant and Pool
You will see the top part of the beach has been cleared but what may not be visible, due to the shade in the photo, is the markings out and the beginning of the digging of the foundations. This is where the beach restaurants and swimming pool etc will be located.

Block 2
This is the block with the roof on and you will see that the scaffolding now is up to the third floor. What you cannot see is that, at the rear of this block, the scaffolding extends up to the fifth floor. The floors and bathroom walls have now been tiled throughout, windows and doors installed, and the balconies are in the final stages of being completed.

Waters Edge Apartments
To the right of this you will see foundations now being laid for Block 1, which is Waters Edge. To the left you will see block 3 is now up to the first floor.

Cabanas
If you look closely between blocks 2 & 3, you will see holes in the ground. These holes indicate the footings for the final cabanas to be built in that area. In the middle of the picture, to the left of the central lake, there are a number of other footings where bases have now been laid. Also, during the last few months, extensive work has been carried out throughout all the cabanas with the roofs on, to the extent that tiling has been being completed and many are almost ready to have furniture installed.

Buccament River
You will see along the edge of the river, the cabanas are now well under construction. To the left, it can be seen that the land has been flattened and some of the foundations have now been dug out. The rest of the land has been cleared in preparation for the final area of cabanas. Work has also been undertaken on river protection to protect the banks from high water flooding after rainstorms. Approximately 15m of land has also been reclaimed from the river as part of the river defences for the area.

We will be following this report on the website next week with a detailed report of a meeting held with our team of designers, engineers, architects, etc., giving a more detailed analysis of the progress of work to date in Buccament Bay and how work is continuing.

Barbados continues to appreciate despite the economic downturn

Property prices in Barbados are appreciating at between 10 – 15% per year at the middle of the market and often higher at the luxury end, even during these harder economic times.
Cluttons Barbados says the property market remains in a stage of growth and has been driven by a strong economy and well established tourism industry. Barbados has fantastic amenities, golf courses, spas and restaurants with direct flights from major cities and of course the great climate and beaches! In recent months Cluttons Barbados has seen a considerable upturn in the high end market and can only think that people are becoming less patient with the lifestyle in the UK. This has all led to a winning formula for British buyers.
In the recorded history of property on the island, property values have never declined. Unlike larger countries where property values have come under pressure from issues such as the financial downturn, Barbados property values have continued to show significant strength. It should be noted that the middle market developer or homeowner is now a little more flexible and will entertain some negotiation, however the property market in Barbados is currently holding its own.
Source: The Property Wire

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Review of St Vincent and the Grenadines development "Buccament Bay Beach Resort".

Buccament Bay Beach Resort will be the only 5 star resort on the beautiful island of St Vincent. Offering state-of-the-art facilities including a Sports Academy, (Pat Cash Tennis Academy & Liverpool FC Soccer School). This family-oriented luxury spa resort will be managed and maintained to the highest standard by Oasis Hotels and Resorts.

Located just a 45 minute drive from the existing and proposed airports (opening late 2011) ... Buccament Bay Beach Resort is situated in a prime location on the southwest coast of St Vincent in a wide bay which enjoys the calm waters of the Caribbean Sea. Occupying around seventy acres, Buccament Bay stretches up from the bay into the Buccament River Valley with a backdrop of verdant mountains interlaced with nature trails. With its white sandy beach and crystal clear waters that are ideal for snorkeling and diving.

Buccament Bay is scheduled to open (phase 1) in summer 2010. Investors are able to purchase property on this stunning resort and have 30 days personal usage. A wide choice of property is available here from luxury apartments to private spa villas with private pools. Investment prices from £160,000 to over £1m.

2 Years Guaranteed Rental of 10% and 100% finance is available on this resort, call freephone 0800 335 7626 to find out how you can invest in this stunning luxury resort. Buccamet Bay Resort

An island of prosperity as storms ravage world housing

The credit crunch has put paid to property booms around the globe, right? No, not quite. While the US, UK and European property markets are in price freefall, the Caribbean, and in particular the holiday island of St Lucia, seems to be holding its own - for the time being at least.
"Property prices have remained robust throughout the financial crisis," says Allen Chastanet, St Lucia's minister for tourism. "The key is we didn't have a boom to begin with, so building levels were at sustainable levels. Therefore, we're not having a bust.
"The only price softening that has taken place has been reflective of the pound weakening against the dollar," he adds, with reference to the fact that St Lucian property is priced in dollars. "Sellers have been willing to bend prices a bit for British buyers to reflect this currency shift."

Source: The Independant

Puerto Plata Emerges as the New Coast of Eco-Style and Activity - The Caribbean's secret is out...

‘The world Bank’s international financial corporation (IFC) chief praised Dominican Republic’s 13 point advance in the ‘DOING BUSINESS 2009’ report, as one of the worlds TOP 10 REFORMED NATIONS’

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, -- Puerto Plata, the largest city on the Dominican Republic's (DR) North Coast, is seen as a shining star for the country's tourism industry. With championship designer golf courses, shopping, casinos, night life, rejuvenated local beaches and other new developments planned, Puerto Plata is creating a reputation as one of the Caribbean's most popular emerging tourist destinations in the DR attracting international travellers, sports champions and celebrities alike.

Known as the country's most versatile playground, Puerto Plata is an excellent destination for those seeking fun, adventure and enriching activities. Here vacationers can rub elbows with the rich and famous who come for the North Coast's luxurious accommodations.
Travellers with limited vacation time often find themselves hard-pressed to choose from the vast list of activities Puerto Plata has to offer. Top attractions in Puerto Plata include: Ocean World, Playa Grande and Play Dorado’s Golf Course.
In addition to a vast variety of activities, Puerto Plata offers a beach lover's paradise with the beaches of Playa Dorada, Costa Dorada, Playa Cofresi, Playa Sosua and Cabarete. "The North Coast boasts some of the world's most breathtaking white sand beaches surrounded with brilliant shades of turquoise," said DR Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia. "As of late 2008, the DR has put an initial investment of nearly $25 million into the rejuvenation of seven DR beaches, including a five kilometres stretch of beach east of Long Beach city. In addition, the adjacent stretch from Costa Dorada to Playa Dorada and Cabarete on the North Coast has been doubled in size for traveller’s beach relaxation."
The word is out. Puerto Plata is the "it" destination for adventure and eco-travel along with stunning luxury accomadation. With its laid back and relaxing atmosphere, culture and desirable warm weather, Puerto Plata is an astonishing place that will delight even the most experienced traveller.

Dominican Republic reaches record visitor numbers

Work by the government in the Dominican Republic to boost investment is working as the latest tourism figures show a record 8% increase in arrivals in 2008 so far. The government and private sector of the Caribbean island have been working together to encourage investment and maintain a macroeconomic balance and a major part of that strategy has been to boost tourism. Now they expect visitor numbers to reach 5 million by 2012. Marketing is aimed at encouraging visitors to an island with palm fringed white sand beaches and a near perfect climate while the government is investing in new roads, amenities and facilities. The Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez said the record 8% increase was very encouraging. He announced that the island's 2008 – 2012 Tourism Plan is designed to increase the current 170,000 visitors to 5 million that will generate 200 million dollars in annual revenue. Supporting this plan is significant investment into increasing hotel bed capacity and also increasing the amount of residential resort style real estate in the Dominican Republic. The World Travel and Tourism Council predicts that this period of intensive advancement in tourism will result in at least a 3.7% annual increase in real GDP growth for the nation's travel and tourism economy over the next decade. 'This could be a good time to invest into the undeniable potential that the Dominican Republic represents. Not only is the nation affordable and committed to maintaining its accessible status as one of the most reasonably priced Caribbean destinations, but millions of dollars of investment are going into everything from golf courses to marinas, from boutique style shopping malls to spas and sports facilities. 'It is already the Caribbean's Number One Destination according to the World Tourism Organization, the Dominican Republic could soon be the number one destination for luxurious yet affordable resort style real estate offering exceptional rental yields in the region too,' he added. The increase in demand for properties for rent from the growing tourism base is allowing developers to offer rental guarantees to would-be purchasers, and to even offer these rental guarantees on top of allowing owners access to their properties for their own use.
Source: The Property Wire