|
Raising the Bar in Nicaragua
Central America has seen a number of spectacular ocean real estate booms during the last two decades. Those who have been prescient and jumped on board early in these meteoric cycles have reaped massive gains – and have had the good fortune to enjoy beautiful property as well. It is not too late capitalize on this trend taking place now on the western coast of Nicaragua…
Seaside Mariana Spa and Golf Resort is bringing prestige, class and distinction to the Pacific coast of Nicaragua. The pristine coastal development will be the site of an exclusive Jack Nicklaus Design 18-hole championship oceanfront golf course. In their pursuit of excellence, Canadian developer Kevin I. Fleming, and Robert H. Black, have spared no expense. The estimated cost of Seaside Mariana’s infrastructure– water, roads, electricity, golf course, hotel, spa, and other amenities – will likely exceed $100 million by project’s end. With impeccable planning and execution, Seaside Mariana’s vision is to usher in a new era of luxury in the region. Nicaragua Developments S.A., the development company headed by Fleming and Black, has positioned Seaside Mariana to emerge as one of the pre-eminent oceanfront golf and spa communities in Latin America.
An Unsurpassed Location
Seaside Mariana Spa and Golf Resort is a sprawling, 923-acre planned community on the northern Pacific coast, between Pochomil and La Boquita. The project is a short fifty minute drive from Managua, the capital, and is situated only one hour from Nicaragua’s only international airport.
The inspiration for the coastal community came from the land itself. “I saw Seaside Mariana Spa & Golf Resort as a unique piece of well-situated property where everyone would have a spectacular view,” says Fleming.
The development encompasses 2 kilometers of beachfront that continues uninterrupted for approximately 12 kilometers. Residents and guests alike can enjoy long walks, horseback riding and sunbathing on the wide, non crowded beach. The gentle surf and warm 80+degree ocean waters provide a safe environment for children and families. At the south end of the property the Tecolapa River and mangrove forest form a nature reserve ideal for bird watchers and nature lovers. A natural slope that rises 70 feet vertically and 600 feet horizontally from the beach will afford breathtaking views of both the ocean and surrounding mountains for the approximately 600 beach and oceanfront condos, in addition to the 300 residential lots, 120 golf villas and 38 golf casitas.
In A League of Its Own
Golf legend Jack Nicklaus will embark on building a world-class golf course that blends effortlessly with the natural landscape of Seaside Mariana. The dynamic combination of the Nicklaus Design group’s experience and the stunning oceanfront location is sure to place the recently-named Nicaragua National Golf Club among the most desirable golf destinations in the world.
“I relish every opportunity I have to go into an emerging market and a country in which we have never worked,” says Nicklaus. “To be able to design a golf course for Seaside Mariana Spa & Golf Resort in a country that is ready to embrace the game and tourism…to introduce and grow the sport in that region by creating a quality facility in that country, is very gratifying. At Nicaragua National Golf Club, golfers will be able to experience ocean views on both nines with holes that play to and along the Pacific Ocean, including the two finishing holes. Seaside Mariana Spa & Golf Resort is a wonderful site on which to create something truly special.”
At Nicklaus’ request, a number of beachfront and ocean-view lots were removed from the original master plan to allow for more ocean proximity golf holes, thus taking full advantage of the unique contour of the terrain. Through thoughtful planning, Fleming and Black are ensuring that owners and guests are afforded a golf experience unrivaled in Latin America.
In their quest for excellence, the developers are also including a luxury spa, which is to be part of the 80 room Boutique Hotel. With the most discriminating attention to detail, the spa is sure to be one of the Latin America’s premier destinations for pampering, relaxation and wellness. Designed to be the ultimate spa enthusiast’s dream in the Americas, will offer as comprehensive a list of amenities under one roof. Residents and guests will be treated to a full range of international massage and body treatments in a private suite overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Guests can rejuvenate mind and body, thus experiencing the ultimate in leisure and relaxation. A full staff of certified cosmetologists and massage professionals will accommodate every need.
Seaside Mariana is ready to move forward with their unique, luxury beachfront community, which will include the following elements:
- Boutique Spa Hotel (80 Rooms)
- Jack Nicklaus Design 18-hole Championship Oceanfront Golf Course with Clubhouse
- Beach Club with pool, food and beverage service, tennis courts, massage center and water toys
- Upscale retail lifestyle plaza for shopping and entertainment
- Medical facility with on-call doctor, ambulance and helicopter-pad
- Cultural Museum with local ancient archaeological findings
- Access by new coastal highway that passes through the project and connects to Costa Rica in 90 minutes (completion 2010)
- Five-Star Spa & Fitness Center
- Proposed future Five-Star Flagship Hotel & Casino
- Central Americans Premier Medical Training & Continuing Care Community
“Our five-star beachfront resort will raise the bar here in Nicaragua,” states Black. “We feel this flagship resort will put Nicaragua on the high-end resort destination map. We’re trying to give investors and buyers the comfort level they are accustomed to in the United States and Canada.”
The Seaside Mariana Team
An integral part of any successful company is the team selected to assist in the growth of the enterprise. Fleming and Black are cognizant of the fact that their target markets demand high standards. To that end, the developers have gone to great lengths to find and hire the best in the business.
“We have surrounded ourselves with the best professionals in the industry and have the support of the Nicaraguan government and local municipalities to ensure the viability and success of our burgeoning project,” Fleming states.
To ensure the long-term operational success of the unique golf course, Nicaragua Developments, S.A. has retained the services of Kemper Sports Management, the operations company of the famous Bandon Dunes golf course in Oregon and manager of over 75 other golf courses throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean.
In addition to the involvement of two of the premier names in golf today, Nicaragua Developments, S.A. has hired Raul F. Calvet, founder and president of Calvet & Associates www.rcalvet.com Calvet’s role is to advise on matters such as the intricacies of the permitting processes and prudent investment strategies. Also, Three Palms International, a company that currently represents developments in Mexico, Belize, and Panama, will handle marketing and press releases.
Disclosure, a lengthy legal process that allows Nicaragua Developments, S.A. to market their project to potential investors outside the country, will be facilitated by Pusher Mitchell in Canada and by Holland & Knight in the United States. Club membership packages for the golf and sports clubs are being designed by Saxton Gilmore in Florida. Title insurance will be offered by First American Title Insurance Company. Taboada & Associates will provide legal counsel and representation inside Nicaragua.
Earl Swensson Associates, an architectural firm based in Nashville, Tennessee, is providing design services in architecture, interior architecture, master planning and space planning. Since its founding in 1961, ESa has designed more than 8,500 projects globally—including Boomtown Casino & Hotel in Louisiana, The Hotel Hershey Spa and renovations to the hotel in Pennsylvania, and the Broadmoor Spa & Golf Clubhouse in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
“We are taking an incredible jewel in Nicaragua and its indigenous elements, which include the country’s culture, architecture and environment, and merely polishing them to become a five-star resort overlooking the vistas of the Pacific,” says Ron Lustig, AIA, ISHC, principal design architect of Earl Swensson Associates. “Our intent is to subtly blend a world-class golf course, destination spa, hotels, and casinos, meeting facility and residential components into an unspoiled paradise, so that they are one with the setting.”
Another crucial component of success for any prospective development is the relationship cultivated with local authorities. In early February of 2007, Seaside Mariana received full support from the Nicaraguan Minister of Tourism, the Nicaraguan Ministry of Transportation, the Environmental Ministry of MARENA and the Mayors of San Rafael Del Sur and Diriamba, the local municipalities where the development is located.
How it Began
Partners Black and Fleming began their development enterprises in the year 2005 with Isla Mariana Beach Resort, a 17-acre development near Puerto Sandino on the northern Pacific coast of Nicaragua. In October 2006, they purchased Seaside Mariana.
Fleming met his wife, Maria Rueda, in 2003 when she was studying in Vancouver, Canada. At the time, Fleming and Black resided in Canada and were both were in the restoration/development business. Maria was born in Nicaragua and when she spoke of her homeland with Fleming, she would emphasize, “Real estate, real estate, real estate.” Consequently, Fleming began to investigate Nicaragua and was struck by both the beauty of the country and the opportunities it afforded.
“We have searched the entire Pacific Coast for land that will support a resort community and believe Nicaragua is ready to become the next ‘hot spot’ and lifestyle destination of Latin America,” says Fleming.
Upon settling in Nicaragua in 2005, Kevin and Maria soon found themselves the owners of a growing real estate portfolio – Isla Mariana Beach Resort (Leon), Seaside Mariana Spa & Golf Resort (San Rafael Del Sur) and Casa Mariana Hotel (Granada) all named after Maria. They also found themselves blessed with the addition of a son, Kevin Alexander Jr., born in 2005.
Black’s route to Nicaragua was a bit different. He recalls the 1990’s when various friends purchased lots in Jaco, Costa Rica and later sold them off—grossing millions of dollars in profits. Black had heard that Nicaragua was going to be the next Costa Rica and didn’t want to miss the opportunity to invest.
“After I did my research, I decided to invest in Nicaragua because I feel Nicaragua has the potential of experiencing the biggest real estate boom I will see in my lifetime. I anticipate a very bright future here in Nicaragua!”
The Surrounding Community
The development’s goal is to be completely self-sustaining; however, Seaside Mariana owners and vacationers will not lack for outside activities if they so desire. Nicaragua offers a plethora of sites and activities for all, many of which are nearby to Seaside Mariana. The tourism zone of Pochomil offers numerous beachfront dining options, whiles the well known Barcelo Montelimar Beach Resort, less than 15 minutes away, and remains one of the most popular beach resorts in Northern Nicaragua. The colorful colonial structures of Granada and the famous Isletas of Lake Nicaragua are also nearby, as is the warm volcanic water of Lake Apoyo—all are accessible in a mere 45-75 minutes. The long-awaited coastal highway, set to pass directly through Seaside Mariana, will bring the famous surfing and fishing hot spot of San Juan Del Sur within a leisurely 1.5-hour drive.
Fleming and Black have come to love Nicaragua for more than the beautiful beaches; they have come to love the culture, the art, the history, and most of all the warmth of the people. In addition to their desire to create a luxurious and welcoming home for owners and residents, Fleming and Black are also striving to create a better environment for the community as a whole.
Fleming points out that he and Black have hired world-renowned experts in a number of fields to do what he calls the easy part – creating the development.
“The hard part is what we do after Seaside Mariana is completed,” Fleming says. Seaside Mariana will plan a small village for workers on the North side of the property along with a community medical facility. Training employees to plan financially and helping the community build churches and schools are other considerations for Nicaragua Developments S.A.
“There’s an entire human infrastructure that isn’t written on a piece of paper,” Fleming says. “Seaside Mariana is not a splash and dash project. This project is an ecosystem within the larger community.”
Correspondingly, Nicaragua Developments S.A. is currently researching renewable energy options that could significantly lower operational costs, both to the developer and environment. Going forward, ecological protection and sustainable development will be at the forefront. As forward thinkers, Fleming and Black feel that the welfare of the project and the welfare of the community at large are inextricably linked. Thus, it becomes the utmost priority to bring to fruition this unique coastal development. It will provide a better standard of living for the local community, while simultaneously providing an unparalleled beach, golf and spa experience for the residents--those who are lucky enough to call Seaside Mariana home.
The Timeline
The developers at Seaside Mariana subscribe to the philosophy, “Speed is The Best Companion to Opportunity.” Meticulous attention to detail, coupled with prompt and decisive action is a hallmark of Mr. Fleming’s leadership style. At Seaside Mariana it’s a given that speed compliments, rather than compromises, quality.
To date, over 150 lots have been sold. Recently, Nicaragua Developments added another depth of skills to the team with retaining the International Architectural Landscape Firm, Land Design. The Master Plan is 95% complete. Lot surveys, land use permits from Alcaldia, golf course routing, and both the concept and program for the front gate entrance, concierge & sales center, road & bridges, the clubhouse, four models of villas, the public plaza, the beach condos and the beach club are all under design development. Civil engineering design, environmental impact permits, construction permits and law 306 INTUR measures are to be obtained in the second quarter of 2008.
Seaside Mariana believes in delivering the best of the best to the owners and investors—and doing so in a timely fashion. Nicaragua Developments is moving forward with precision and velocity. Rigorous follow through and attention to detail ensures a successful future for Seaside Mariana, its investors and property owners. Our master plan has been crafted to realize the vision of a beautiful, thriving community as soon as is practically possible.
Opportunities For The Forward Thinking Investor
Nicaragua is becoming increasingly rife with opportunity and Seaside Mariana Spa & Golf Resort will particularly appeal to the forward thinking investor.
For those who think on a grander scale, exclusive memberships are available in the Founder Member Offering, which will be launched in the spring of 2007. The offering is geared toward discerning investors of means and a minimum $350,000 buy-in.
Benefits of this exclusive membership shall include priority selection of home sites, villas, condominiums and future property releases. For enterprising individuals there are additional opportunities at Seaside Mariana Spa& Golf Resort. These include sub-development possibilities for of beach and ocean view condos, golf villas, builder lot packages, golf course investments, casino operations, finance company opportunities, and a myriad of commercial options in the lifestyle center.
At Seaside Mariana Spa & Golf Resort the possibilities are endless— enterprising individuals and groups are encouraged to share their business dreams and visions with us. Our collective imagination and passion, coupled with continued action will make Seaside Mariana an oasis of luxury living.
For more information about Nicaragua Developments S.A., please visit their web site at www.nicaraguadevelopments.com or send word to Kevin@nicaraguadevelopments.com
|
