Here is the content
With ribbons of concrete tracing rolling hills and meandering valleys and weaving along the breathtaking coast, Sonoma County is a diverse playground for bicycle enthusiasts. For former professional cyclist Ted King, it’s the best of the best — his favorite place in the country to ride.
King certainly would know about where to ride. Over the course of his 10-year career as a professional cyclist, he was considered one of the greats. He competed in dozens of races each year, participated in the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France two times each, and finished eighth or better in 11 different races overall. He last rode for UCI ProTeam Cannondale-Garmin. He’s also an ambassador for World Bicycle Relief, a nonprofit that gives away bikes to fight poverty in developing nations.
Though the New Hampshire native now lives in Vermont, he has spent considerable time in Sonoma County and considers the Healdsburg area his home away from home. His first-ever training camp in 2006 was in Santa Rosa. Later, the region was the backdrop for some of King’s most memorable rides. It’s where he met his wife (on a ride, of course). And since he retired in 2015, it’s where the two of them now come when they have time to get away.
“What I love about Sonoma (County) is that it’s a nonstop change of scenery and difficulty — everything that’s fun about getting up on two wheels,” says King, 37. “On any given ride, you might push past old-growth redwoods, mountains, vineyards, coast and back again. There’s something really special about how quickly it all changes and plays out before you.”
King’s wife, Laura, recently started calling Wine County “Ride Country,” and King uses the nickname now, too. They’ve spent more time than usual in Ride Country recently, leading rides for Mill District, a mixed-use development project in Healdsburg that is putting together a velo club. After one of these rides, we caught up with King to get the scoop on his favorite spots in and around the area.
King Ridge Road isn’t named after King himself. But it might as well be, as it’s one of his favorite rides.
The sparsely trafficked road snakes over and around mountains north and west of a tiny town named Cazadero. From Santa Rosa, most cyclists do a loop that takes them through Occidental, up over King Ridge to the coast, and then back. Total mileage is about 60, depending on where you start; total elevation gain frequently exceeds 5,000 feet. It’s not a ride for beginners.
King likes this ride because of the challenges it presents — nonstop undulation, steep climbs, less-than-optimal road quality that keeps riders on their toes. He says he also appreciates the breathtaking views and the uninterrupted isolation.
“Five miles into this ride, it’s just trees and farmland; there’s nobody around,” he says. “To be totally honest, it’s really kind of nice.”
The ride also holds special significance to King: It’s where he met Laura, back in January 2016.
“We went to a mutual friend’s birthday party and, like those of us in the cycling community often do, we all went out for a ride,” King remembers. “At the end of the ride, most of the guys decided they were done, but Laura and a friend of hers wanted to keep going and they started going up King Ridge. I followed them. I’ve been riding with Laura ever since.”
King jokes that the best part of retirement is that his default post-ride recovery drink is now beer. When he’s in the Healdsburg area, that means he hits up two breweries in particular: Russian River Brewing Co. and Bear Republic.
For years, King has frequented the Russian River taproom on Fourth Street in downtown Santa Rosa for pints of Pliny the Elder (or if he happens to be visiting in early February, Pliny the Younger). When the brewery opened a new production facility and brewpub in Windsor, King started going there, too. Bear Republic’s taproom in downtown Healdsburg closed in November, but the brewing company still operates one in Rohnert Park, and King makes special trips for the hoppy cult-favorite Racer 5 IPA.
“Those breweries make some pretty tasty beverages,” he says. “I could drink that beer every day.”
Another beverage King loves: espresso. Like most cyclists, on any given day he’ll throw back two or three shots; on ride days, he’ll toss back that many just while he’s on his bike. His caffeine dealer when he’s in town? Either the Flying Goat or Plank, both in Healdsburg.
“Both shops have great coffee, but I have to admit — they have better baked-good choices at Plank,” says King. “The chocolate cake in particular is really good. I gravitate more toward chocolate items than anything else. Except for pumpkin bread around Halloween, I’ll always go with a chocolate chip muffin over a blueberry one.”
Fueling up for a long ride is a science, and King’s favorite spots in Healdsburg couldn’t be more different.
On one hand, he loves Chalkboard, a high-end restaurant on the ground floor of Hotel Les Mars, a Relais & Chateaux property one block north of the plaza. At this lively eatery, Chef Shane McAnelly cranks out small plates with a Mediterranean flair. One of King’s go-to dishes: biscuit sliders, which come with big hunks of pork belly.
On the other hand, King’s top local choice for Mexican food is El Taco Grande, a tiny, family-owned restaurant in the same shopping center as the Raven movie theater. The restaurant offers pozole, or hominy stew, on weekends. King raves about the place’s tortilla chips, calling them the best in California.
“If you want to talk about cool contrasts, you have to love this place,” King says of the Mexican joint. “It’s one block away from Single Thread, Sonoma County’s only restaurant to receive three Michelin stars. That place costs about $300 per person per meal. You can get an incredible lunch or dinner at (El) Taco Grande for $10 or $12. The fact that both restaurants can be on the same block is exactly why Healdsburg is so great.”
A Canadian-based developer is seeking other opportunities in The Bahamas after generating close to $50m in sales from its ten-storey Paradise Island development.
Replay Destinations, which acquired One Ocean from the bank in 2016 after its original developer ran into financial difficulties, said it is entering the final sales phase for the 79-residence property.
“When we first looked at acquiring the building, its one-of- a-kind location and the attributes it had that differentiated it from anything else in the market immediately caught our attention,” said Greg Ashley, Replay’s chief strategy officer.
“The tallest residential building on Paradise Island, on Nassau Harbour, adjacent to Ocean Club, across from Four Seasons and just down the road from Atlantis. It couldn’t get any better. Secondly, the large residences with expansive indoor-outdoor living spaces created much more livable residences compared to what else was being developed in the marketplace.
“From a design standpoint we believed transforming One Ocean into a modern building with state-of-the-art infrastructure and contemporary finishes would be more appealing to what the buyer is looking for today. The sales to-date have reinforced our belief.”
One Ocean has undergone an extensive repositioning, redesign and renovation since the Vancouver-based company acquired. Replay currently has more than $2bn in destination real estate undergoing planning and development throughout the US, Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, and at One Ocean on Paradise Island
The development has attracted buyers from around the world, including the US and Canada, South America, Europe and The Bahamas. Replay said 90 percent of sales have come through Bahamian real estate brokers.
Mr Ashley believes buyers have chosen One Ocean because it is more of a home with a sense of community than a typical resort property can offer. “People who visit The Bahamas regularly or choose to live here permanently are seeking more space and more of a community versus the transient nature of a typical resort condominium,” he said.
“From a buyer’s perspective, the appeal of One Ocean is that the residences are built and complete. There is security and confidence gained from walking through the building and the residences knowing exactly what you are buying. From our condominium residences to our Penthouse Collection, our homes are move-in ready and our goal is to sell out our final phase of residences in the upcoming season.”
To celebrate the history of the old lumber mill site before it’s demolished, a traveling gallery project, Roving Venue, is teaming with Mill District developer Replay Destinations.
Founders of the gallery, artists Patrick Rhodes and Jessica Martin, are presenting their first event, The Mill, from 2 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 2. Roving Venue is focused on one-day art events in varied locations around Sonoma County.
The event will feature site-specific art installations and performances throughout the day with live music on two stages.
Jim Hall, the director of development, offered up space for Roving Venue to do an event, and just like that, their gallery shows became closer to a festival.
“It was important to them and us to bring in the community, let them see the space and get information about their vision for the neighborhood,” Martin said.
Hall said the event is on a 10-acre site that’s been vacant for years.
“We’re really excited to be able to offer it up. It’s not open to the public normally, but for a private event like this, it really would work out well,” Hall said.
Martin said Replay developers thought it would help to have a community event to bring in positive energy before getting started on the project.
“The actual construction will not start until probably a year from now,” Hall said.
The event will allow people to learn about and meet the developers, while also looking at the history of the lumber mill and what it represents to Healdsburg.
Both Martin and Rhodes are painters who will have some of their work featured at The Mill, along with nine other artists.
“A lot of them are friends and others we’ve admired for a long time. We asked them to do site-specific installations within different structures,” Martin said.
Victoria Wagner will paint a mural, with film screenings from Martin, Alison Kendall Swearingen, Flora Skivington, Alex Ketley and Aline Wachsmuth.
There will also be a time-lapse of a large painting from artist Jake Messing.
“We’ll screen a short documentary the Mill District put on about the history of the mill. I think one of the mill workers has worked there all his life,” Martin said.
Other work will include paintings from Marie Van Elder and Julia Schwadron, with installations by Dundee Butcher/Russian River Flowers and Julian Billotte.
Alice Sutro will be doing live portrait drawings, and all paintings and sculpture on display will be for sale, along with works in the Roving Venue trailer.
Dance performances by Ketley, Wachsmuth, Upside Dance and Sara Maria Flamenco will also be at The Mill, with music from seven different bands.
Sonoma County’s Spike Sikes Band is at 2 p.m. on stage one, with guitar and cajón from Flamenco at 3 p.m. on stage two. The Bay Area’s jazz/Latin group, Lulu and the Rent Party will perform at 3:30 p.m. on stage one.
Healdsburg native Emmett Kai, who makes music in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, will have a DJ set at 4:30 p.m. on stage two. New Mexico’s Stephanie Hatfield will perform at 5 p.m. on stage one, and later at 7 p.m. at the Elephant in the Room.
Gabby La La will perform ukulele, sitar and Omnichord at 6 p.m. on stage two.
Tickets for The Mill are $20, $21.99 if purchased online and free for age 18 and under. All the drink sales will go toward Felta Education Foundation, to help provide the arts, gardening, music and Spanish programs to West Side School.
For more information about Roving Venue or The Mill event, visit rovingvenue.com.
The coral reefs in our oceans are spectacular, elaborate, full of wonder—and dying at an alarming rate. These beautiful “cities of the sea” have been deteriorating rapidly thanks to pollution, climate change, overfishing, and other eco issues; many, including the famous Great Barrier Reef in Australia, have already experienced irreparable damage. But some resorts are stepping up to help protect these natural wonders.
To raise awareness and help prevent further damage, June 1, 2019, has been declared the first-ever World Reef Day. This international day of recognition marks an urgent call to action to protect the delicate ecosystems of coral reefs all over the world. Some elite luxury resorts, keenly aware of their locations near these precious coral growths, have developed signature programs designed to highlight and preserve their local reefs. Here are three gorgeous resorts doing their part to protect, preserve, and even restore the coral off of their beaches.
The island of Bora Bora, in French Polynesia, is famed for a reef-protected lagoon that makes it a mecca for scuba diving and snorkeling. The Conrad Bora Bora Nui resort, located on a private cove with the island’s longest stretch of white-sand beach, has developed more than a dozen underwater coral structures around its property using a process developed by marine biologist Denis Schneider. The technique, called Biorock, increases the coral’s natural resistance and encourages regrowth and repopulation. Conrad guests are invited to take part in an immersive experience to see the Biorock program at at work and learn about the importance of coral restoration in the area.
Fiji is an exotic paradise in the South Pacific made up of more than 300 islands, all surrounded by an elaborate system of reefs. On the main island of Viti Levu, the Nanuku is part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, whose “Planet Auberge” program focuses on reducing each property’s footprint; the Nanuku employs an on-site marine scientist to run its own coral reef conservation project. Guests can learn about the essential role it plays in the local environment while helping to “plant” new coral on the property’s house reef; you can even tag the coral garden you planted so you can track its progress on your next visit.
Closer to home is Half Moon Bay Antigua, on the Caribbean island southeast of Puerto Rico. The site, which boasts a spectacular crescent-shaped white-sand beach protected by a reef, is being developed by Replay Destinations for a 2022 opening, and the development team is taking pains to preserve the local coral. The team is both restoring the soil on the property and rebuilding the bay’s reef, in an effort to leave the most gentle imprint possible on this uniquely beautiful site.
We can all do our part to help protect coral reefs. One easy way is to carry a reusable shopping bag—single-use plastics, like those flimsy throwaway bags, pollute the oceans and threaten coral (as well as other sea life). Another way is to reconsider your sunscreen. The chemicals found in many sunscreens have been found to be very detrimental to reefs. But you don’t have to give up fun in the sun; just look for sunscreens that say “reef-safe” and “non-nano” (meaning they do not contain nanoparticles). Raw Elements, a sponsor of World Reef Day, is a good brand to try. Finally, sign up here to receive updates and learn how you can make even more of a difference in saving our oceans’ amazing coral reefs.
Replay Destinations, a fully integrated destination development company, has announced a new marketing partnership between Half Moon Bay Antigua, the resort and residences redefining the whole notion of a luxury Caribbean experience, and Edmiston, the leading yacht sale and charter company.
Antigua enjoys a rich heritage as one of the Caribbean’s leading yacht destinations thanks to its many picturesque harbours and the world-famous Antigua Sailing Week, one of yacht racing’s most prestigious events. The new partnership will therefore be a mutually beneficial relationship, drawing on the synergies between the clientele of Half Moon Bay Antigua and Edmiston to establish a deep connection between luxury yachting and the new resort which is located just twenty minutes from yachting hubs English Harbour and Falmouth.
“We’ve always admired Edmiston as a leader in luxury yachting and believe Half Moon Bay Antigua will soon be one of the leading resorts for luxury in the Caribbean. A cooperative relationship between the two brands combines our understanding of a common clientele to benefit us both,” said William Anderson, CEO of Half Moon Bay Antigua.
“I believe Half Moon Bay represents a very rare opportunity to quite literally acquire a ‘slice of paradise’. The venue will provide unrivalled levels of luxury whilst the location offers arguably the finest yachting experiences in the Caribbean,” said Jamie Edmiston, Chief Executive, Edmiston.
Edmiston is one of the most recognised global brands in yachting with a long history of operations in Antigua and in-depth local knowledge.
Half Moon Bay Antigua is comprised of ten of the most exclusive plots of land available for sale in the Caribbean. With prices ranging from $10 million to $25 million, the ten lots offer the opportunity to create unique estates within easy reach of the anchorage of Nonesuch Bay.
Half Moon Bay Antigua boasts one of the most spectacular white sand crescent beaches in the world and offers an unparalleled setting for what will be the most sought-after resort and residential community in the Caribbean. Owners and resort guests will have exclusive access to amenities including Sense®, a Rosewood Spa and a Biodynamic farm.
About Replay Destinations:
Replay Destinations is a fully integrated destination development company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, and operates in the continental United States, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Replay’s team of strategists, planners, designers, builders and operators develop and operate authentic and enduring places that become must-visit destinations for guests and potential real estate purchasers alike. Working with visionary private equity firms, landowners, municipalities, other developers and families with legacy holdings, Replay creates places that the marketplace thinks of first and likes best, which in turn enhances the market awareness and economics of the destination. The founder and partners of Replay are select key senior executives from Intrawest Corporation, which was the largest publicly listed four-season destination resort developer in the world, with more than 18 destination resorts globally. Intrawest Corporation was sold to private interests in 2006 and Replay Destinations was established in 2007. For more information visit www.replaydestinations.com.
About Edmiston:
Edmiston & Company is a world leader in the superyacht industry. Specialising in the sale, charter, management and new construction of the largest and most important yachts. The company has an unrivalled reputation when it comes to performing for its clients at the very highest level.
With a global network of offices in key international locations, Edmiston has the international presence combined with the key local knowledge necessary to service the needs of its clients, worldwide.
Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/823818/RHMB_Antigua.jpg
SOURCE Half Moon Bay Antigua and Edmiston
Healdsburg’s front entry is set for a large-scale redevelopment project that will transform a former lumber mill into more than 200 homes targeting a range of income levels, an upscale hotel and a collection of new retail shops along Healdsburg Avenue.
The Healdsburg City Council endorsed the Mill District project following a marathon meeting Monday night, authorizing the second-largest housing project in the city’s history. The decision concluded years of negotiations between the city and Vancouver-based resort developer Replay over the 9.5-acre property just north of the Highway 101 offramp to Central Healdsburg, reimagining a primary gateway into the city’s downtown.
Construction is expected to start this fall on utilities and other infrastructure. The mixed-use project, which the developer estimates will cost hundreds of millions of dollars, is scheduled to be built over a 12-year period to abide by Healdsburg’s growth restrictions.
Several council members called the approval a victory in their attempt to address the city’s ongoing housing needs.
“This is I think a pretty momentous moment for Healdsburg,” Mayor David Hagele said Monday, his voice cracking with emotion. “There’s a lot of pent-up
housing units that are ready to break through. To me, that’s a big deal.”
As part of the development agreement, a 40-unit affordable housing complex is scheduled to be built during the first phase of construction, which will also include the 53-room boutique hotel and the bulk of 15,000 square feet of retail space below it.
The first 40 multifamily, market-rate homes would also be constructed at that time, all completed as early as 2021 if Replay receives necessary design approvals as well as federal tax credits for the low-income units.
The housing package also consists of a mix of 30 rental and for-sale middleincome units, which will be built gradually over the life of the project.
The units will target those with salaries in the 120 to 160 percent range of the area median income (AMI), or up to about $94,000 for individuals, and as much as $134,500 for families of four.
“That’s been a need that hasn’t been addressed with our housing production to date,” said Councilman Joe Naujokas. “We need to hit this ‘missing middle.’ That’s been consistently raised by the community as a goal and objective.”
Additional community benefits are baked into Monday’s approval.
A nearly 1-acre public park is tentatively slated for the center of the property, in addition to Replay committing $1.045 million toward the city’s purchase of a new fire ladder truck and $1.3 million for new pedestrian and bicycle pathway in the downtown core near the recently finished roundabout.
“That part of town is awful now, and it’s been that way,” CouncilwomanEvelyn Mitchell said of its current access to pedestrians. “It’s always been kind of a joke driving into Healdsburg, this great community. This is just going to add to the whole beauty of our city.”
For construction and management of the affordable units, Replay has partnered with Hayward-based Eden Housing, which already oversees the 64-unit Foss Creek Court low-income complex in Healdsburg.
The agreement calls for 24 units at below 50 percent AMI, or $49,000 in annual salary for a family of four, and 16 more below 80 percent AMI, or about $78,500 in income.
An Eden representative said the nonprofit hopes to pursue a handful of under 30 percent AMI extremely low-income units — typically considered transitional housing for those coming out of homelessness — in the project.
To increase the chances the 40-unit complex receives the federal tax credit in the competitive process, the city will kick in $250,000, and in return Replay will contribute the same amount back to Healdsburg’s existing initiatives toward homelessness.
While the council unanimously backed the overall proposal, Vice Mayor Leah Gold voiced disappointment it did not result in even higher-density housing for the local workforce, namely because of its location next to the commuter rail right-ofway.
Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit, which is set to extend service to Windsor by early 2022, has yet to finalize service plans northward to Healdsburg and Cloverdale.
“That would have been, to me, the highest and best use of this property,” said Gold. “I’m sure it will be a beautiful project. We will make good use of the affordable and the middleincome housing that you do provide. I’m just hoping that in the future we can do better.”
At full buildout by 2030, the Mill District will include 208 housing units, of which 138 will be market-rate and the remaining 70 are incomerestricted, second in scale in Healdsburg only to the 346-unit Parkland Farms development approved by the council in 1995. Replay representatives said they’re ready to get construction underway.
“We’re just extremely excited to get going here and to finally realize what we’ve been talking about the last three years,” said Eric Chan, Replay’s director of development in Healdsburg. “We’re pretty proud that we’ve gone through this process to make a better project and now the real work is to come.” You can reach Staff Writer Kevin Fixler at 707-5215336 or kevin.fixler@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @kfixler.
The Healdsburg City Council approved a mix of housing types within the Mill District redevelopment. A total of 208 units will be available.
The traditional mountain home is, well, stuck in tradition. Rough-hewn wooden walls, dark and heavy furnishings, cavernous rooms and probably a few dusty stuffed animals staring down in judgment at your Netflix choices. This is the tradition. It’s all so dark, stuffy, and gallingly inefficient.
The modern traveler wants modern convenience and values efficient, thoughtful, even conservative uses of space. When we go someplace like Park City, our lodging should be just right—the Goldilocks of spaces. We came here to ski, to dine, and to make memories with friends and family while we explore the mountains. Thankfully, designers, architects, and developers Berkshire Hathaway like are getting the hint and new projects like YOTELPAD Park City built around the way we actually travel and play and not some antiquated idea of how we should travel and play—with nary a dead animal on the wall.
The new YOTELPAD, the brainchild of Replay Destinations and Yotel, at the base of the Canyons Village at Park City Mountain puts the 7,300 Acres of the largest ski resort in the United States just outside your door. With 144 units ranging from studio to three bedrooms, the project was thought out to embrace smart design and maximize the square footage and all of it is fully wired with technology and intuitive services to help you focus on playing, not staying. And it’s affordable. YOTELPAD is hotel/condo concept that offers affordable full-ownership options (in the heart of a world-renowned ski resort) starting at $300,000, which puts luxury modern mountain living within range of the next generation.
When not on the mountain and not asleep, it’s time for friends and family and to mingle with other guests. Friendly common areas offer plenty of room to spend time enjoying the time. The social spaces at YOTELPAD are designed to maximize view space of the surrounding mountains with comfortable seating, games for the kids, and food and drink. Gathering places feature soft seating placed around fireplaces. Soak up the sun, watch a movie, shoot pool, or join friends on the view terrace. Unwind by the pool or soak in the hot tub. Or relax with a drink by the fire before your next game of PAC-MAN. Designers at YOTELPAD configured every space to keep the schlepping (the bane of any ski trip) to a minimum. The valet parks your car, the ski valet takes your gear and you can settle in.
Every innovative inch of YOTELPAD was created with efficiency for both time and space. Each private PAD (as the rooms are called) and social zone was designed with serious thought into how the modern traveler can and wants live on the mountain. The PADs all feature clever Italian-made furniture that makes the room work hard for many functions (and keeps prices down). For example, the sofa conceals a pull-down wall bed and storage space. The workspace doubles as a kids’ table and then transforms for bedtime into bunkbeds
Technology lets owners and guests get essentials done quickly and effortlessly. The entire property is linked up to the YOTELPAD app where you can do everything from extending your stay to requesting extra towels. Gary Raymond, the managing director of Replay Destinations, YOTELPAD Park City’s developer, believes that, “Technology, innovation, and design are converging to make smart resort homes affordable—and desirable—to a new generation.”
And YOTELPAD certainly seems to be living up to that promise.
Sponsored by YOTELPAD
Words by Jeremy Pugh
Confidence is returning and British buyers are back
Brexit and Barbados may not seem obvious bedfellows. But as the process of leaving the EU drags on, and the wisdom of investing in many traditional European boltholes grows uncertain, the Caribbean is being viewed by many househunters as a “safe haven” — with increasing economic stability and the sweetener of guaranteed winter sunshine.
Brexit and Barbados may not seem obvious bedfellows. But as the process of leaving the EU drags on, and the wisdom of investing in many traditional European boltholes grows uncertain, the Caribbean is being viewed by many househunters as a “safe haven” — with increasing economic stability and the sweetener of guaranteed winter sunshine.
“There’s a growing number of buyers, especially younger ones, who are fed up with what’s happening at home and are choosing to invest overseas in a stronger currency,” says Robert Green, founder of the international property firm Sphere Estates. “The dollar is viewed as a steadier and less volatile currency than the euro, and this is helping to drive up sales in Caribbean.”
No agent can deny that the effects of the catastrophic hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 are still palpable on many islands, but the way communities have pulled together has resulted in a feelgood factor throughout the region. “With government aid and public donations, it’s incredible how quickly markets and buyer confidence can recover,” Green says.
Property price cuts of up to 15% over the past 18 months have also helped to lure investors back to the islands, with many Brits happy to look beyond traditional hunting grounds to get an even better deal, according to Walter Zephirin, managing director of the Caribbean specialist 7th Heaven Properties. Here’s what every savvy househunter should know.
The aquamarine west coast waters of may still be millpond calm, but the perennial British favourite Barbados is in the throes of a serious shake-up. A progressive new Labour government, headed by the country’s first female prime minister, Mia Mottley, is busy getting a grip on the nation’s debt (and its collapsing sewerage system).
“Barbados is fully open for business for the first time in 10 years, and there has never been a better time to buy,” says James Burdess, head of the Caribbean department at Savills estate agency. “An oversupply of apartments means there have been big price corrections, and the market is really bouncing back.” Values have dropped by up to 30% over the past five years — you can pick up a two-bedroom flat in Mullins, near the prized beaches of the Platinum Coast, for less than $300,000 (£228,000).
There has also been a shift in buyer demographics and architectural tastes, says Daryl Kelly, managing director of Chestertons Barbados estate agency, with the coral render favoured by pink-shirted middle-aged stockbrokers giving way to achingly white, clean spaces and a younger, hipper crowd who party at the new Nikki Beach club at Port Ferdinand. “Trendy clubs and bars have popped up, taking nearly every good spot available on the west and south coast.”
Those in the know hang out at One Eleven East, Hugo’s and the Blue Pineapple. If you want to be able to roll out of bed (or berth) for Sunday brunch at Nikki Beach, the airy flats at the Port Ferdinand marina hotel and residences start at $2.1m for a three-bedder (020 7861 1553, knightfrank.com).
Superyacht owners — and those who simply prefer to keep a low profile — are lured by the tranquil harbours and undeniably British feel of Antigua, Burdess says. Last month, Mike Duval, 65, an international banking executive manager, and his wife, Lisa, 52 who works in the City, bought a three-bedroom house at Tamarind Hills, a five-star resort between the sparkling white beaches of Ffryes and Darkwood, for a little under $1m. “Apart from its natural beauty and the attraction of 365 beaches, the islanders are without fail welcoming,” Mike says. “There is a fairly large expat British community, and the local supermarket stocks Waitrose products as well as local produce.”
The couple plan to put the house into the rental pool at Tamarind Hills when they and their family are not using it — it should fetch an average of $3,000 a week, of which 30% will go to the resort. They plan to move to the island permanently and have bought into Antigua’s Citizenship by Investment programme, which requires a property investment of $400,000 or a donation of $100,000 to the national development fund.
Newer on the radar for British buyers is Jamaica, which still struggles with its reputation for violent crime in some areas — something a digital marketing campaign called Join Me in Jamaica, which focuses on the island’s culinary, cultural and musical heritage, is trying to change. “We have seen a huge increase in clients from the UK,” Zephirin says. “Banks there have become more willing to lend to overseas buyers as the local economy strengthens.
“With more than 2m tourists a year, Jamaica also has huge holiday rental opportunities, especially around the key beach hubs of Negril and Montego Bay.”
Fans of the island’s most famous son, Bob Marley — his music pulses incessantly from taxis, rum shacks and five-star resorts — have a chance to buy more than just the T-shirt, though with prices starting at $2m, they may need to be trustafarians to do so. The singer’s early co-writer and ex-girlfriend, the London-based photographer and film maker Esther Anderson, is busy planning the Legend Resort. Set to open in 2020, the “modern Arawak village” at Little Bay, near Negril, is based on the concept of a simple holiday home she and Marley created in the 1970s.
There will be one-, two- and three-bedroom villas on the three-acre waterfront site, some on land and some floating, as well as a music and ecology centre (00 31 70 39 44 234, waterstudio.nl).
Antigua’s unassuming little sister, Barbuda, is a tiny ecoparadise, but the first time many people heard of it was when 95% of its buildings were damaged or destroyed by a direct hit from Hurricane Irma, and its entire population had to be evacuated. Today, much to residents’ anger, many of its buildings are still roofless and hundreds of homes are without electricity.
Property developers, including Robert De Niro, have seen an opportunity to build luxury hotel and residential resorts on the island, but they are facing fierce opposition from many residents, who accuse the Antiguan government of a land grab — Barbuda has historically had strict communal land ownership laws. The construction of an airport has also been halted because of environmental concerns. “We welcome investment on the island as long as they want to cherish its incredible natural beauty and our rules,” one resident told Home.
The US-based Discovery Land Company is planning a 495-home resort across two island sites, with leasehold prices (land in Barbuda can only be leased) between $2m and $10m (barbudaoceanclub.com). Its CEO, Mike Meldman, says the project is “committed to the island people, as well as our owners”.
Property for sale
Barbados $475,000
Reduced from $525,000, this 2,000 sq ft house at Heron Court has three bedrooms and a private plunge pool. It’s near the designer boutiques and beach of Holetown, on the west coast. 020 7201 2071, chestertons-international.com
Grenada from $5.67m
Luxury property on the Spice Isle is more competitively priced than on Barbados. At Silversands, on Grand Anse Beach, the nine three-/four-bedroom villas have a jungle backdrop. 020 3617 1360, sphereestates.com
Bequia from $550,000
Caribbean aficionados love unspoilt Bequia (“Bekwee”), in St Vincent and the Grenadines. At the Liming, a newly opened beachfront resort, one-bedroom villas start at $550,000. 020 7016 3783, savills.com
Antigua from $10m
Set to open in 2021, the first phase of the Rosewood-managed Half Moon Bay will offer 10 oceanfront villas with four to eight bedrooms, on plots ranging from 5,400 sq ft to 14,000 sq ft. 020 3617 1360, sphereestates.com
Jamaica $235,000
At Spring Gardens, a gated community in Montego Bay, the owners of the 39 one-bedroom condos — due for handover next January — will have sea views and use of a pool.
Skirting an absurdly idyllic arc of white sand on the east coast of Antigua, Half Moon Bay (pictured below) promises to be one of the most luxurious new resorts in the Caribbean. At its core will be a five-star Rosewood hotel – the same brand that has turned nearby, private Jumby Island into a billionaires’ sanctuary – and the world’s first on-resort biodynamic farm.
Villas cost from $5m for a Rosewood branded residence up to $25m for a three-acre villa plot on a peninsula that once belonged to the Mellon family. And there will be all the in-the-know experiences that the super-rich covet these days, whether it’s extreme sports for the millennial offspring or a desert island picnic for the parents. In short, its CEO William Anderson says Half Moon Bay, set to open in 2021, will offer “the new paradigm in ultra luxury”.
Geoff Wilford, founder of Wilfords London and Wilfords Caribbean, describes Half Moon Bay as “the most important and high profile development to be built in the Caribbean right now”. Three of the ten trophy villa plots have immediately been reserved – one by a London-based family. “I think if Jeremy Corbyn gets the keys to No. 10, the Rosewood Antigua and many other luxury resorts might sell out overnight. That’s why I’m diversifying my interests from London to the Caribbean,” says Wilford.
The British climate in February is usually enough reason for London buyers to steer their thoughts towards the Caribbean. But add Corbyn and the Brexit countdown to that rum punch and there are compelling reasons to be looking long haul.
Along with the launch of new super-prime developments such as Half Moon Bay, another mark of confidence is the number of luxury hotel chains which are launching new Caribbean resorts, including Six Senses on St Kitts, Silversands in Grenada (pictured top), Four Seasons in the Dominican Republic and Ritz-Carlton in Turks & Cahe new paradigm in ultra luxuryicos, which will include the islands’ first luxury branded homes.
There are further incentives for overseas buyers, too, including the opening up of mortgage borrowing in the region. Where once buying a Caribbean home was the preserve of the cash-rich, now various lenders are offering bank finance with decent rates to qualified non-resident buyers.
In a move to boost foreign investment, several islands have also cut the minimum investment required to qualify for their Citizenship by Investment schemes, granting investors the right to work and live in the country and enjoy visa-free travel to many countries, including the Schengen Area.
The Caribbean’s recovery since the mid-Noughties recession has been “two speed”, says Hugo Thistlethwayte, head of Savills’ international department. “The recovery of the southern Caribbean, where Brits like to buy, has lagged behind that of the northern Caribbean – the Bahamas, BVIs and Turks & Caicos – which are dominated by US and Canadian buyers,” he says.
Chestertons reports a significant pick-up in interest in the Bahamas from UK buyers, however, particularly in The Residences at Goldwynn on New Providence Island, with a new luxury condo hotel and separate residences due for completion in 2020. One-bed beachfront apartments start at $950,000. “We saw huge interest from Brits buying in early 2018, then the whole market went flat due to Brexit uncertainty. Now it’s busy again and I have several British buyers house-hunting here this month,” says Franz Hepburn of Chestertons International in the Bahamas.
Barbados is the perennial favourite among British buyers, who account for around 80 per cent of foreign homeowners on the island. Its new government is keen on promoting foreign investment and, hopes Geoff Wilford, pushing planning permissions through faster.
All eyes are on the aborted Four Seasons Resort, where Simon Cowell and Eddie Jordan were among early investors and Wilford personally sold $200m of property off-plan – then Lehman Brothers collapsed and the project folded. “A decade on, the Barbadian government is working closely with Four Seasons and the largest building contractor on the island to resuscitate the development. If successful, it will be wonderful for the island,” says Wilford, who is currently seeing interest in resale properties. A prime example is a four-bed beachfront home at Sandy Cove, pictured above, next to prestigious restaurant The Cliff, priced at $5.5m.
There is good value to be found on this prized west coast too, with a large one-bed apartment on the more basic but well-located Lantana complex – still only a short walk from the beach – reduced to $199,950 through Knight Frank.
The high demand for, and short supply, of affordably-priced, modern new-builds is seeing good new opportunities sell fast, says Daryl Kelly of Chestertons Barbados. Garden Grove, opposite the famous Lone Star restaurant, saw 90 per cent of its units sell in the first week. One three-bed house remains at $499,000. And opposite the Royal Westmoreland golf resort, Westmoreland Hills has just half of its 52 semi-detached villas left, priced from $495,000 for two bedrooms, through Chestertons Barbados.
St Lucia’s government is similarly encouraging outside investment. New projects include the latest trophy properties on the Sugar Beach resort, where two thirds of buyers are British. “We have US-dollar mortgages available locally and this can help to ‘hedge’ the current exchange rate for British buyers,” notes the Sugar Beach Residences’ property director, Penny Strawson. “Rental yields are very important too. Everyone these days wants an asset that will wash its face and our owners enjoy some of the highest rental rates and best occupancy figures in the Caribbean.”
Resale villas at Sugar Beach start at $1.9m, but the resort is also home to some of St Lucia’s most expensive contemporary properties. The Piton Residences are available off-plan for $7.5m-$7.9m. They are due for completion in 2020 and owners will have access to the Viceroy’s five-star facilities. Two off-plan Beachfront Collection villas are also for sale for $8.75m and $15m (pictured above).
Buyers are also looking further south to the Grenadines, says Hugo Thistlethwayte. On Canouan, Savills are selling a 4,000 sq ft, three-bed seafront home in Patio Villas, part of the Mandarin Oriental-branded residences, above, for $8.2m. And on Bequia, The Liming, a new luxury hotel with one-bed cottages from $595,000, is “causing a stir”, he says.
These latest launches may include private butlers and contemporary architecture, but ultimately it’s that heavenly slice of golden sand and dazzling sea that together spell escape.
Half Moon Bay Antigua is launching a resort and real estate development designed by Netherlands-based Studio Piet Boon. Blending traditional Caribbean architecture with a modern environmental aesthetic. Rosewood Half Moon Bay is set to open in 2021 with 47 pavilion-style suites. The Rosewood Residences will include infinity pools, open-air baths and shower gardens with live orchid walls, priced from $3 million to $15 million; several estate parcels are also available. Amenities include an on-site biodynamic farm, cliff-side cocktail lounge and spa.
One world-class Caribbean setting is going to become even more unrivaled starting in summer 2019. That’s when Half Moon Bay Antigua, a low-density, 132-acre resort, is slated to begin construction in Antigua, the favorite vacation destination of Princess Diana and Whitney Houston, and the haunt of tycoons like Richard Branson and Georgio Armani.
From developer Replay Destinations, Half Moon Bay Antigua will feature a brand new Rosewood Hotel, an exclusive enclave of 10 villa plots listed from $10 to $25 million and 42 Rosewood-branded villa residences bearing pricetags from $3.5 to $15 million. It’s all being developed on the estate that includes three acres once owned by late tastemaker Rachel “Bunny” Mellon.
William Anderson, CEO of Half Moon Bay Antigua has developed, managed and marketed an array of the planet’s most superlative residential resorts. They include The Wakaya Club & Spa on Wakaya Island, Fiji; Jumby Bay in Antigua; and Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa in Tucson, Ariz. The Replay Destinations team is delivering to Antigua everything from an amphitheater, biodynamic farm and social and kids clubs to highly acclaimed top chefs.
First time in half century
For many years, Mellon had owned 27 acres on Antigua with three acres left undeveloped at the planned site of Half Moon Bay Antiqua. Today, the three-acre peninsula plot, known as the Mellon Estate, is available to develop for the first time in 50 years. Known as the crown jewel of the estate lots being listed at $25M, the Mellon Estate is drawing interested purchasers from the ranks of the one percent.
Antigua tallied multiple $20 million sales in 2017, and those acquisitions have helped spur high-net worth purchasers in New York City and London to investigate not only owning island land in general, but very specifically owning at Half Moon Bay Antigua.
Celebrated Amsterdam-based design firm Studio Piet Boon has been tapped to lead the design of Half Moon Bay Antigua. The firm will unveil a fresh, subdued, contemporary design that pays homage to time-honored Caribbean architectural sensibilities, while at the same time investing designs with a modern, decidedly environmental look. Studio Piet Boon will lead the overall architectural and interior conception for the Rosewood Residences, as well as the interior design for the new Rosewood Half Moon Bay.
Affluential explorers
“With its secluded location and breath-taking beach, Half Moon Bay is one of the world’s most stunning hidden gems, and a natural destination for Rosewood’s affluential explorers,” says Sonia Cheng, chief executive officer of Rosewood Hotel Group. “We look forward to integrating Rosewood’s Sense of Place philosophy into Antigua’s incredible natural environment to create unforgettable experiences for our guests.”
One of the most notable features of Half Moon Bay Antigua will be its location adjacent to a 27-acre national park. When the resort opens in 2021, guests will be able to not only explore that spectacular natural setting, but also avail themselves of a curated selection of distinctive activities, from exploring biking and walking trails to taking part in interactive guided experiences tailored to everyone from families to adventure travelers.
“Conceived and orchestrated by a masterful team of designers and rooted in Caribbean history, Half Moon Bay Antigua will redefine the Caribbean paradigm by introducing a new level of ultra-luxury that will resonate with our discerning international clientèle,” Anderson says.
Trade snow days for snowy white beaches.
If the thought of freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall sends a shiver down your spine, it’s time to pack your favorite swimsuit and head to the Caribbean. (Pro tip: sugary beaches, crystal clear waters, and a piña colada will make your winter woes seem like a distant memory.) Unfurling over more than 2,000 miles across the Caribbean Sea, the islands have long wooed vacationers from around the globe—but these isles are also perfect spots for warm-weather aficionados to put down roots. From Anguilla to Grenada, the following three are antidotes to winter—and excellent investment opportunities if you’re looking for a place in the sun.
Antigua
Encircled by coral reefs, Antigua is revered for its sparkling water and verdant views. Half Moon Bay Antigua—the first new resort and residential development of its kind to take shape on Antigua in decades—is promises to add a new layer of allure to the magnificent isle. Set on 132 acres, the development will include a Rosewood hotel and residences, including 10 estate lots priced from $5 million to $25 million (some of the most expensive parcels in the Caribbean).
Taking the luxury living experience to a whole new level, branded residences are one of the hottest prospects in the real estate market at present. But are they truly worth the five-star price tag? By Stephen Penn
Whether its haute-couture fashion, the latest limited-edition sports car or made-to-measure super yacht; putting a reputable name behind a product infers a core brand value and guarantee of excellence.
Storytelling is an important part of that journey, and never more so than with something as expensive as real estate. Property marketing must speak to the client’s expectations of lifestyle and experience. Which perhaps makes the rise and rise of the branded residence an entirely understandable trend in the current acquisition minded climate.
While the first branded residences concept appeared in New York in the 1920s, it wasn’t until the 1980s that demand began to gather pace, both in the USA and further afield. Now, the drive to ‘move in’ with some of the biggest luxury labels is at an all-time high, with the best-known elite hotel brands getting behind the pied-a-terre with benefits movement to create sought-after residential opportunities across the globe.
Four Seasons, alongside Ritz-Carlton, presently claim the largest share of the branded residences market – the former launching its first residential condominiums in Boston in 1985, with 38 residential communities across 17 countries today.
Hailed as a landmark project, Ten Trinity Square is Four Seasons’ third London property; its first standalone residential project Twenty Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, also setting a benchmark for quality build and par excellence service levels. Prices at Ten Trinity Square start at £17.5m for a three-bedroom property, with services including an elite address book of contacts accessing private jets, personal shoppers, Harley Street specialists, educational advisers and private security consultants all part of the ownership experience.
“Buy into a reputable brand and you have the assurance in the delivery and quality of the development as well as professional management,” says Chris Graham of consultancy Graham Associates. “The best products offer prime locations, likeminded neighbours, cutting-edge interior design and, crucially, stronger resale values and higher rental income.”
“They’re a form of trophy purchase rather like collecting expensive art,” adds Robert Green of Sphere Estates. “As such, the quality, range and potential of the branded residence has huge potential to evolve.” Other companies jumping on the ‘brandwagon’ include luxury fashion houses Armani, Versace and Missoni.
Savills is selling a one-bedroom Armani Casa apartment in Dubai’s Burj Khalifa for £685,000, with more than 300 two-tofour- bedroom apartments Armani Casa apartments at Sunny Isles Beach Miami due for completion this year – priced from $1.35m.
Porsche Design Tower has its luxury residences in Miami while Mercedes-Benz’s ‘Living @ Fraser’ partnership is offering branded serviced apartments in London and Singapore. Not surprisingly, properties carry significant price premiums – up to 44% over the top end of the local market, according to Savills.
“The exact uplift is dependent on developers building a quality product in the right location, with the right design and brand,” says Rod Taylor, head of international development sales at Savills. It’s a movement however, that for now, shows little sign of waning.
November 2017 marked the groundbreaking of foundations of what will become The Peninsula London – following a 30-year search for the perfect hotel site. Taking full advantage of this label of love desire, news of The Peninsula is proving something of a draw card to wealthy home buyers with 28 supersized and serviced Halkin Street homes to buy with rarefied price tags to match.
Despite this overwhelming success across the globe for these elite brands, the sector isn’t immune to risks. During the US electoral campaign, Trump branded residences experienced a fall in their piece premium, a scenario that continues to play out in the light of some of his more radical policies.
“Trump’s travel ban on several predominantly Muslim nations caused quite a backlash. His name and picture were removed from a billboard marketing a $6bn golf development in Dubai. Meanwhile, developers Lodha temporarily suspended sales at Trump Tower Mumbai,” adds Graham.
Such issues however, seem few and far between with experts predicting the emergence of new destinations, notably in South America and sub-Saharan Africa – with a growing presence across Europe.
It’s a growth that’s coming not only from the extravagance that such high-end brands exude, but also the convenience of having a home that’s entirely taken care of – featuring all essential mod-cons, concierge services and, most importantly, high levels of security that come from choosing a home with a big name.
“Branded residences are more popular than ever among wealthy international buyers as a property investment that offers the best in prestige, convenience and innovative design,” adds UK property writer, Zoe Dare Hall. “They come with a name that buyers trust, first class facilities and, crucially, they can be a great investment.”
ONE TO WATCH
HALF MOON BAY, ANTIGUA
For more visit halfmoonbayantigua.com
Caribbean interior design will set the stage for ultra-luxury enclave on ANTIGUA
Replay Destinations, a fully integrated destination development company, has appointed Studio Piet Boon, an international design studio, as lead designer for Half Moon Bay Antigua, the first new resort and real estate development of its kind in the Caribbean.
Acclaimed for award-winning luxury hotel and residential projects in Europe and the United States, the Amsterdam-based firm will lead the overall architectural and interior vision for the Rosewood Residences, as well as the interior design for the new Rosewood Half Moon Bay, set to take shape on 132 pristine acres surrounding one of the world’s most celebrated beaches. In collaboration with Caribbean firm OBMI, the architect for the Rosewood Half Moon Bay, Studio Piet Boon will introduce a new understated contemporary design by layering the sensibilities of traditional Caribbean architecture with a modern and distinctly environmental aesthetic.
Studio Piet Boon’s portfolio is comprised, amongst others, of AIRA Residences in Kuala Lumpur, Huys at 404 Park Avenue South and 101 Wall Street in Manhattan New York; as well as custom homes and beach villas in destinations spanning Paris, Amsterdam and the Caribbean. Studio Piet Boon conceptualized the exterior and interior design concept for multiple hospitality projects varying from the international award-winning restaurant The Jane in Antwerp Belgium and Andaz hotel in Seoul South Korea, to the Park Hyatt Hotel Hanoi in Vietnam and the Alon Hotel Las Vegas. Established in 1983 by Dutch designer Piet Boon, the company’s distinctive design sensibility has also extended into custom furnishings, fixtures and many other interior related products.
“Studio Piet Boon brings tremendous value to this endeavor by capitalizing on their international sensibility and innate understanding of the Caribbean landscape to reimagine the interior spaces of Rosewood Half Moon Bay and the Rosewood Residences in a way that has never existed before in the Caribbean,” said William Anderson, CEO of Half Moon Bay Antigua. “Conceived and orchestrated by a masterful team of designers and rooted in Caribbean history, Half Moon Bay Antigua will redefine the Caribbean paradigm by introducing a new level of ultra-luxury that will resonate with our discerning international clientele. Through our collaboration with Studio Piet Boon and OBMI, we will bring to life what we believe to be the first resort of its caliber in decades.”
Recognized for an ability to balance functionality, aesthetics and individuality into one-of-a-kind design experiences, Studio Piet Boon will blend the structures with the area’s verdant surroundings. Emulating a design that reflects the lush locale, both the aesthetic of the Rosewood Residences and the interiors of Rosewood Half Moon Bay will represent a contemporary interpretation of the Caribbean vernacular utilizing a natural palate and materials with colorful accents.
Set to open in 2021, Rosewood Half Moon Bay will feature 47 pavilion-style suites and will be flanked by a collection of Rosewood Residences, each thoughtfully designed, showcasing unobstructed ocean views, private infinity plunge pools, hammocks, open-air baths and shower gardens with live orchid walls that blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Studio Piet Boon will employ a natural design palate that will flow seamlessly from the resort to the residences connecting each experience to one another and to nature. Open concept layouts and immersive living elements throughout the development will reinforce the natural beauty of Half Moon Bay.
“Half Moon Bay presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create something enduring, and I am honored to help shape the future of this magnificent place,” said Piet Boon. “It is an inspiring landscape that truly embodies all that is beautiful in the West Indies, from the crescent-shaped white sand beach and lush tropical plant life to the rocky bluffs and panoramic views. All of these natural elements allow us to provide experiences at Half Moon Bay Antigua that capture the island’s redefined effortless luxury as well as evoke a sense of timeless elegance.”
With origins dating back to the 1600’s, Antigua has enjoyed a rich and storied history. The site of the new Half Moon Bay Antigua development was previously home to the iconic Half Moon Bay Resort, built on Antigua back in the 1950’s. The resort was frequented by notable names like Audrey Hepburn and Elton John, helping to establish Half Moon Bay as a global celebrity hot spot. With 3,200 feet of coral sand, Half Moon Bay Antigua is internationally lauded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Replay Destinations, a fully integrated destination development company, has appointed Studio Piet Boon, the internationally renowned design studio, as lead designer for Half Moon Bay Antigua.
Acclaimed for award-winning luxury hotel and residential projects in Europe and the United States, the Amsterdam-based firm, Studio Piet Boon, will lead the overall architectural and interior vision for the Rosewood Residences, as well as the interior design for the new Rosewood Half Moon Bay, set to take shape on 132 pristine acres surrounding one of the world’s most celebrated beaches.
In collaboration with preeminent Caribbean architecture firm, OBMI, which is handling architecture for the Rosewood Half Moon Bay, Studio Piet Boon will introduce a new understated contemporary design by layering the sensibilities of traditional Caribbean architecture with a modern and distinctly environmental aesthetic.
With a highly-regarded multi-disciplinary body of work, Studio Piet Boon’s portfolio is comprised, amongst others, of AIRA Residences in Kuala Lumpur, Huys at 404 Park Avenue South and 101 Wall Street in Manhattan New York, as well as extraordinary custom homes and beach villas in destinations spanning Paris, Amsterdam and the Caribbean. Studio Piet Boon conceptualized the exterior and interior design concept for multiple hospitality projects varying from the international award-winning restaurant The Jane in Antwerp Belgium and Andaz hotel in Seoul South Korea to the Park Hyatt Hotel Hanoi in Vietnam and the Alon Hotel Las Vegas. Established in 1983 by Dutch designer Piet Boon, the company’s distinctive design sensibility has also extended into custom furnishings, fixtures and many other interior related products.
“Studio Piet Boon brings tremendous value to this endeavour by capitalising on their international sensibility and innate understanding of the Caribbean landscape to reimagine the interior spaces of Rosewood Half Moon Bay and the Rosewood Residences in a way that has never existed before in the Caribbean,” said William Anderson, CEO of Half Moon Bay Antigua. “Conceived and orchestrated by a masterful team of designers and rooted in Caribbean history, Half Moon Bay Antigua will redefine the Caribbean paradigm by introducing a new level of ultra-luxury that will resonate with our discerning international clientele. Through our collaboration with Studio Piet Boon and OBMI, we will bring to life what we believe to be the first resort of its calibre in decades.”
Recognised for a remarkable ability to balance functionality, aesthetics and individuality into one-of-a-kind design experiences, Studio Piet Boon will effortlessly blend the structures with the area’s verdant surroundings.
Emulating a design that reflects the lush locale, both the aesthetic of the Rosewood Residences and the interiors of Rosewood Half Moon Bay will represent a contemporary interpretation of the Caribbean vernacular utilising a natural palate and materials with colourful accents. Set to open in 2021, Rosewood Half Moon Bay will feature 47 pavilion-style suites, including a three-bedroom presidential suite, and will be flanked by a collection of Rosewood Residences, each thoughtfully designed and architecturally stunning showcasing captivating views. Amenities will cater to the desires of today’s global explorer, with unobstructed ocean views, private infinity plunge pools, hammocks, open-air baths and shower gardens with live orchid walls that blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Studio Piet Boon will employ a natural design palate that will flow seamlessly from the resort to the residences connecting each experience to one another and to nature. Open concept layouts and immersive living elements throughout the development will reinforce the natural beauty of Half Moon Bay while also providing opportunities for adventure and experience.
“Half Moon Bay presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create something enduring, and I am honoured to help shape the future of this magnificent place,” said Piet Boon. “It is an inspiring landscape that truly embodies all that is beautiful in the West Indies, from the crescent-shaped white sand beach and lush tropical plant life to the rocky bluffs and panoramic views. All of these natural elements allow us to provide experiences at Half Moon Bay Antigua that capture the island’s redefined effortless luxury as well as evoke a sense of timeless elegance.”
Half Moon Bay Antigua is currently comprised of 10 of the rarest and most exclusive land parcels available for sale in the Caribbean. With prices ranging from $10 million to $25 million, the 10 premier estate lots will afford a limited number of buyers the opportunity to customize a showcase home set just steps from the beach or perched on a seaside cliff. The crown jewel of the estate lots is the Mellon Estate, a three-acre parcel situated on a dramatic bluff overlooking the turquoise water below, formerly owned by philanthropist Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon. Owners and resort guests will have exclusive access to the finest services and amenities, such as an on-site biodynamic farm, an iconic cliff-side cocktail lounge and a Rosewood Spa, all just steps from one of the world’s most exquisite beaches.
With origins dating back to the 1600s, Antigua has enjoyed a rich and storied history. The site of the new Half Moon Bay Antigua development was previously home to Half Moon Bay Resort, one of the finest hotels ever built on Antigua back in the 1950s. The resort was frequented by notable names like Audrey Hepburn and Elton John, helping to establish Half Moon Bay as a global celebrity hot spot. With 3,200 feet of coral sand, Half Moon Bay Antigua is internationally lauded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, offering an unparalleled setting for what will be the most sought-after resort and residential community in the Caribbean. Located adjacent to a 27-acre national park, the destination is ideally positioned to provide a selection of immersive individual and family programming and activities, including windsurfing, paddle boarding, hiking and biking.
The highly-anticipated Rosewood Half Moon Bay Antigua has named renowned designer Piet Boon to lead the interior design and other concepts for the project.
Regional player OBMI is handling the architecture for the project.
Studio Piet Boon will “introduce a new understated contemporary design by layering the sensibilities of traditional Caribbean architecture with a modern and distinctly environmental aesthetic,” according to a statement from the project.
Studio Piet Boon, which has designed projects around the world, is best known in the Caribbean for its Piet Boon Bonaire villa resort in the Dutch Caribbean.
“Studio Piet Boon brings tremendous value to this endeavor by capitalizing on their international sensibility and innate understanding of the Caribbean landscape to reimagine the interior spaces of Rosewood Half Moon Bay and the Rosewood Residences in a way that has never existed before in the Caribbean,” said William Anderson, CEO of Half Moon Bay Antigua. “Conceived and orchestrated by a masterful team of designers and rooted in Caribbean history, Half Moon Bay Antigua will redefine the Caribbean paradigm by introducing a new level of ultra-luxury that will resonate with our discerning international clientele. Through our collaboration with Studio Piet Boon and OBMI, we will bring to life what we believe to be the first resort of its caliber in decades.”
The resort, which is slated to open in 2021, will feature 47 pavilion-style suites, along with a collection of Rosewood-branded residences.
Amenities will range from private infinity pools to open-air baths and shower gardens.
“Half Moon Bay presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create something enduring, and I am honored to help shape the future of this magnificent place,” Piet Boon said in a statement. “It is an inspiring landscape that truly embodies all that is beautiful in the West Indies, from the crescent-shaped white sand beach and lush tropical plant life to the rocky bluffs and panoramic views. All of these natural elements allow us to provide experiences at Half Moon Bay Antigua that capture the island’s redefined effortless luxury as well as evoke a sense of timeless elegance.”
— CJ
Replay Destinations has appointed Studio Piet Boon as lead designer for Half Moon Bay Antigua, the first new resort and real estate development of its kind in the Caribbean.
The Amsterdam-based firm will lead the overall architectural and interior vision for the Rosewood Residences, as well as the interior design for the new Rosewood Half Moon Bay, set to take shape on 132 pristine acres surrounding one of the world’s most celebrated beaches. In collaboration with Caribbean architecture firm OBMI, which is handling architecture for the Rosewood Half Moon Bay, Studio Piet Boon will introduce a new understated contemporary design by layering the sensibilities of traditional Caribbean architecture with a modern and distinctly environmental aesthetic.
“Studio Piet Boon brings tremendous value to this endeavor by capitalizing on their international sensibility and innate understanding of the Caribbean landscape to reimagine the interior spaces of Rosewood Half Moon Bay and the Rosewood Residences in a way that has never existed before in the Caribbean,” said William Anderson, CEO of Half Moon Bay Antigua. “Conceived and orchestrated by a masterful team of designers and rooted in Caribbean history, Half Moon Bay Antigua will redefine the Caribbean paradigm by introducing a new level of ultra-luxury that will resonate with our discerning international clientele. Through our collaboration with Studio Piet Boon and OBMI, we will bring to life what we believe to be the first resort of its caliber in decades.”
Studio Piet Boon will blend the structures with the area’s verdant surroundings. Emulating a design that reflects the lush locale, both the aesthetic of the Rosewood Residences and the interiors of Rosewood Half Moon Bay will represent a contemporary interpretation of the Caribbean vernacular utilizing a natural palate and materials with colorful accents.
Set to open in 2021, Rosewood Half Moon Bay will have 47 pavilion-style suites, including a three-bedroom presidential suite, and will be flanked by a collection of Rosewood Residences, each thoughtfully designed and architecturally stunning showcasing captivating views. Amenities will cater to the desires of today’s global explorer, with unobstructed ocean views, private infinity plunge pools, hammocks, open-air baths and shower gardens with live orchid walls that blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.
Studio Piet Boon will employ a natural design palate that will flow seamlessly from the resort to the residences connecting each experience to one another and to nature. Open concept layouts and immersive living elements throughout the development will reinforce the natural beauty of Half Moon Bay while also providing opportunities for adventure and experience.
“Half Moon Bay presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create something enduring, and I am honored to help shape the future of this magnificent place,” said Piet Boon. “It is an inspiring landscape that truly embodies all that is beautiful in the West Indies, from the crescent-shaped white sand beach and lush tropical plant life to the rocky bluffs and panoramic views. All of these natural elements allow us to provide experiences at Half Moon Bay Antigua that capture the island’s redefined effortless luxury as well as evoke a sense of timeless elegance.”
When you are creating what could be the most luxurious new resort in the Caribbean, the days of relying on a beautiful beach, a spot of paddle boarding and a spa are over. These days, you need to offer one-off experiences, extreme sports for the millennial offspring of millionaire buyers and “the new paradigm in ultra luxury”.
So says William Anderson, who has variously developed, managed and marketed some of the world’s most exclusive residential resorts over the last few decades, among them the private island resorts of Jumby Bay in the Caribbean, The Wakaya Club in Fiji, and the Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa. “People aren’t so worried about where it is per se. It’s more about buying the experience,” Anderson comments of the new breed of luxury residential resort.
His new focus, as CEO, is the dazzlingly beautiful Half Moon Bay on the east coast of Antigua, a secluded spot a 20-minute drive from the yachties’ hub of English Harbour. The site once housed the 1950s-built Half Moon Bay hotel, one of Antigua’s first hotels, which fell prey to the 1995 hurricane.
Next summer, work will start on turning it into a low-density 132-acre resort centered around a world-class Rosewood hotel and some of the most expensive villa plots in the Caribbean.
“When you have a location with this level of beauty, you feel a responsibility to keep the footprint as simple as possible,” says Anderson.
There are just 10 plots for sale, some lining the perfect pink arc of the coral sand bay, others set on the rocky peninsula. Prices start at $10m for a one-acre plot and rise to $25m for the trophy plot – the three-acre Mellon Estate, once owned by the US billionaire Mellon family and set on the highest point in the resort.
The late Bunny Mellon had a home in the Mill Reef Club on the other side of the bay – now owned by billionaire fashion designer Tory Burch– and bought this peninsula to save it from development and preserve her view.
Now that the peninsula plot is available to develop for the first time in 50 years, some trophy hunters are sniffing around. “A couple of people are circling that one, people with a deep appreciation of architecture,” says Anderson. “This will truly be one of the greatest houses in the world, starting at the top of the cliff and cascading down.”
Three of the other plots have already been reserved, two to New York-based buyers and the third to an ultra-high net worth London couple.
“One of the New York buyers hasn’t even seen the property. He has been waiting and waiting for a place he finds compelling and he says this kind of offering is long overdue. He has young children and wants them to grow up there. It’s a legacy for him,” says Anderson, who expects to see an even 50/50 split of US and UK-based buyers.
Besides the 10 plots, there will be 42 branded villa residences for sale, ranging from 2,500 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft and priced between $3.5m and $15m. They will form the Rosewood’s accommodation and be sold turnkey and fully-furnished, interior designed by Amsterdam-based Studio Piet Boon.
If paying up to $25m on a plot of remote Caribbean land – plus a further $5m-$7m to build a single-storey villa – seems high, Anderson argues that prices are comparable to nearby Jumby Bay, which sits just off Antigua’s north coast.
Antigua is also home to Pearns Point, a similarly secluded coastal tranche where Savills is selling plots ranging from $1.5m up to $77m for several beach plots packaged together.
“You can say it’s expensive,” says Anderson of Half Moon Bay’s prices, “but look globally and it’s comparable. The Mellon estate is a unique sell and we couldn’t find anywhere in the Caribbean where you can buy on a beachfront like Half Moon Bay, let alone with a top hotel operator.”
As for attractions, buyers will have all the services and facilities of the Rosewood hotel at their fingertips – the sporty stuff, luxury pampering and fine dining.
“We will have a really top chef. The contenders – names you would know – are in New York and London, and London is leading so far,” says Anderson. “Activities will be as good as you would expect from a resort at this level. In Fiji, we offered a desert island beach where couples could spend a day on their own. We’ll do something like that here,” he adds.
There will also be a “funky West Indies bar” on the rocks, to provide a cool social hub, and an amphitheatre that makes the most of the undulating site to provide an atmospheric outdoor cinema for families.
And there will be a first for a resort anywhere – a biodynamic farm at its core, where planting and harvesting revolves around methods based on astrology and, some would say, mysticism, introduced in the early 1900s by the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner.
“It’s an emerging trend in the natural food space – in Germany, 10 per cent of organic farmland is certified biodynamic and it’s a growing movement in the US. We see a farm as a self-sustaining organism, not a factory,” says Elizabeth Candelario, president of the Demeter Association, the largest certified body for biodynamic farming.
“To apply the ideas in a resort, especially on an island, is a beautiful thing that has never been done before. In the Caribbean, which is susceptible to drought, it will bring a whole different level to farming as it finds answers within to issues such as water conservation and disease rather than looking outside.”
Besides the 10 plots, there will be 42 branded villa residences for sale, ranging from 2,500 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft and priced between $3.5m and $15m
Owners and guests at Half Moon Bay will benefit by knowing exactly where their food has come from. “Everyone is a foodie now. Everyone’s keen on the provenance of food,” Anderson, Candelario’s husband, chips in.
The kids’ club will include opportunities for children to get their hands dirty, and the spa will offer “an extraordinary array of esoteric treatments with a biodynamic element,” Candelario adds.
Ultimately, though, the resort will be all about something that needs no explanation – the staggeringly beautiful bay itself. Anderson describes how he tilted the orientation of the future hotel every so slightly so that the moment you walk in, you get a direct view of the spot in the sea where the waves crash every 10 seconds.
“This will be the shot that everyone will take,” he assures. When Half Moon Bay is up and running in 2021, we will see.
Replay Destinations, a fully integrated destination development company, has appointed Studio Piet Boon, an internationally renowned design studio, as lead designer for Half Moon Bay Antigua, the first new resort and real estate development of its kind in the Caribbean. Acclaimed for award-winning luxury hotel and residential projects in Europe and the United States, the Amsterdam-based firm will lead the overall architectural and interior vision for the Rosewood Residences, as well as the interior design for the new Rosewood Half Moon Bay, set to take shape on 132 pristine acres surrounding one of the world’s most celebrated beaches. In collaboration with preeminent Caribbean architecture firm, OBMI which is handling architecture for the Rosewood Half Moon Bay, Studio Piet Boon will introduce a new understated contemporary design by layering the sensibilities of traditional Caribbean architecture with a modern and distinctly environmental aesthetic.
With a highly-regarded multi-disciplinary body of work, Studio Piet Boon’s portfolio is comprised, amongst others, of AIRA Residences in Kuala Lumpur, Huys at 404 Park Avenue South and 101 Wall Street in Manhattan New York, as well as extraordinary custom homes and beach villas in destinations spanning Paris, Amsterdam and the Caribbean. Studio Piet Boon conceptualized the exterior and interior design concept for multiple hospitality projects varying from the international award-winning restaurant The Jane in Antwerp Belgium and Andaz hotel in Seoul South Korea to the Park Hyatt Hotel Hanoi in Vietnam and the Alon Hotel Las Vegas. Established in 1983 by Dutch designer Piet Boon, the company’s distinctive design sensibility has also extended into custom furnishings, fixtures and many other interior related products.
“Studio Piet Boon brings tremendous value to this endeavor by capitalizing on their international sensibility and innate understanding of the Caribbean landscape to reimagine the interior spaces of Rosewood Half Moon Bay and the Rosewood Residences in a way that has never existed before in the Caribbean,” said William Anderson, CEO of Half Moon Bay Antigua. “Conceived and orchestrated by a masterful team of designers and rooted in Caribbean history, Half Moon Bay Antigua will redefine the Caribbean paradigm by introducing a new level of ultra-luxury that will resonate with our discerning international clientele. Through our collaboration with Studio Piet Boon and OBMI, we will bring to life what we believe to be the first resort of its caliber in decades.”
Recognized for a remarkable ability to balance functionality, aesthetics and individuality into one-of-a-kind design experiences, Studio Piet Boon will effortlessly blend the structures with the area’s verdant surroundings. Emulating a design that reflects the lush locale, both the aesthetic of the Rosewood Residences and the interiors of Rosewood Half Moon Bay will represent a contemporary interpretation of the Caribbean vernacular utilizing a natural palate and materials with colorful accents. Set to open in 2021, Rosewood Half Moon Bay will feature 47 pavilion-style suites, including a three-bedroom presidential suite, and will be flanked by a collection of Rosewood Residences, each thoughtfully designed and architecturally stunning showcasing captivating views. Amenities will cater to the desires of today’s global explorer, with unobstructed ocean views, private infinity plunge pools, hammocks, open-air baths and shower gardens with live orchid walls that blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Studio Piet Boon will employ a natural design palate that will flow seamlessly from the resort to the residences connecting each experience to one another and to nature. Open concept layouts and immersive living elements throughout the development will reinforce the natural beauty of Half Moon Bay while also providing opportunities for adventure and experience.
“Half Moon Bay presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create something enduring, and I am honored to help shape the future of this magnificent place,” said Piet Boon. “It is an inspiring landscape that truly embodies all that is beautiful in the West Indies, from the crescent-shaped white sand beach and lush tropical plant life to the rocky bluffs and panoramic views. All of these natural elements allow us to provide experiences at Half Moon Bay Antigua that capture the island’s redefined effortless luxury as well as evoke a sense of timeless elegance.”
Half Moon Bay Antigua is currently comprised of 10 of the rarest and most exclusive land parcels available for sale in the Caribbean. With prices ranging from $10 million to $25 million, the 10 premier estate lots will afford a limited number of buyers the opportunity to customize a showcase home set just steps from the beach or perched on a seaside cliff. The crown jewel of the estate lots is the Mellon Estate, a three-acre parcel situated on a dramatic bluff overlooking the turquoise water below, formerly owned by philanthropist Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon. Owners and resort guests will have exclusive access to the finest services and amenities, such as an on-site biodynamic farm, an iconic cliffside cocktail lounge and a Rosewood Spa, all just steps from one of the world’s most exquisite beaches.
With origins dating back to the 1600s, Antigua has enjoyed a rich and storied history. The site of the new Half Moon Bay Antigua development was previously home to Half Moon Bay Resort, one of the finest hotels ever built on Antigua back in the 1950s. The resort was frequented by notable names like Audrey Hepburn and Elton John, helping to establish Half Moon Bay as a global celebrity hot spot. With 3,200 feet of coral sand, Half Moon Bay Antigua is internationally lauded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, offering an unparalleled setting for what will be the most sought-after resort and residential community in the Caribbean. Located adjacent to a 27-acre national park, the destination is ideally positioned to provide a selection of immersive individual and family programming and activities, including windsurfing, paddle boarding, hiking and biking.
For more information visit halfmoonbayantigua.com
It is an understatement to say that William Anderson is excited about the future of Half Moon Bay, Antigua. With experience in directing luxury resorts in thirty countries, a career in the luxury hospitality business spanning another thirty years, as well as overseeing over $450 million in real estate sales, one would do well to take note: “Half Moon Bay is incomparable.”
Incomparable and exclusive. The planned resort alone aims to set a new standard for ultra-luxury. For the lucky few, there is the option to redefine and recharge your lifestyle: ten unrivalled estates of land are available for purchase.
Anderson’s project will see the building of a new Rosewood Resort, in collaboration with Replay Destinations, scheduled for opening in 2021, with 47 pavilion-style suites, each taking advantage of an ocean view. The development is set in a good 132 acres of unparalleled topography of dramatic rock exposure. In fact, so sure of the singularity of the location, Anderson commissioned research into comparable sites. He reiterates: “There is nothing quite like this.”
For a gentleman with a clear passion for travel, an enjoyment of new country, new challenge, and the ability to bring luxury to every corner of the world, a return to Antigua indicates the irresistibility of this site. “It has to be seen to be believed… the best of the best in real estate have been in awe of the landscape.”
There is a personal element. “I raised my children in Antigua, at nearby Jumby Bay, and we regularly visited Half Moon Bay.” However, what comes across most about Anderson’s return is his appreciation of this once in a lifetime site and opportunity.
“Opportunity,” he says, “to redefine luxury.” I point out that he has already redefined luxury and that this was more a case of redefining redefined luxury.
He laughs, “Exactly. I was at the forefront of redefining luxury. In 1992, I was the first to charge $1,000 a night—people thought I should be committed.”
Boredom is unacceptable and bespoke services are paramount. “It isn’t enough to say that Half Moon Bay is one of the best beaches in the world. Our clients aren’t looking to spend all day at the beach.”
He discusses the evolving ideals of luxury. “Back then luxury was something else and we had a different demographic. There hasn’t been anything new since 2005 and this was an opportunity to provide for the new demographic which is multi-generational. Our first buyer is a young, active man with a young family. Ultra-luxury must reflect this.”
“Antigua, for example, is a world-class kitesurfing destination. Understanding what the discerning high-net-worth traveller and his family require means not just accommodating for a prestigious pro-kite surfer it also means providing the same level of service through a kitesurfing school for their children.”
The conversation moves to the design of the development described as ‘ultra-modern’. Anderson clarifies: “It has to be authentic and genuine. Luxury is not about covering things in gold. There is no point building in such a beautiful location unless it is a delicate imprint. Think coral stone that sinks into the landscape.”
For the job, Anderson has brought in the Amsterdam-based Studio Piet Boon and he repeats their statement of ‘authenticity and functionality’. “For me, what really sold Piet’s vision was his work in Antwerp (‘The Jane’ restaurant). He took this site and created something ultra-modern and contemporary without betraying its history.”
Talking about history, these ten estates are a rarity. Nothing of their like has come to the market in decades. Anderson, therefore, is not the only one with the opportunity of a lifetime.
A 125,000 square foot plot –formerly belonging to Bunny Mellon, the Listerine heiress – is the star lot, not without reason. However, in consideration of the other nine, it is certainly not an Old Kent Road—Mayfair comparison. It is all prime real estate.
Anderson finishes by considering the investment potential of the site: “We just need to look at the price appreciation in Jumby Bay and that is a larger site. This is much more exclusive –ten plots – there is nothing in comparison. One buyer has already seen price appreciation.”
Additionally, Rosewood and Replay Destinations will work with buyers and encourage investment value through a rental programme. “two of our early buyers have expressed interest in having their homes in the rental programme and it was clear this was a factor in their decision making.”
We discuss any limitations on buying the land. “The few limitations in place are of the kind that increases value. We have relatively tight design values, such as nothing above one storey to protect the view.”
“What we are not saying it that has to be in coral stone or that you have to use the same designers. Although, one buyer is interested in Piet’s design despite his wife being an interior designer!”
Unique, exclusive, and authentic. Other opportunities may be style over substance, but Anderson is offering both. No wonder. He currently manages what may be the most beautiful and exclusive land in the world this year.
FOR FURTHER DETAILS
T: +1 268-562-9147
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts® has been appointed by Vancouver-based property development company, Replay Destinations, to manage Rosewood Half Moon Bay Antigua, which will open in 2021 in the Caribbean’s West Indies. The resort will be situated on 132 spectacular oceanfront acres along Half Moon Bay, which is internationally lauded as one of the world’s most spectacular beaches. The former Half Moon Bay Hotel was established in the 1950’s, and for decades was a sought-after vacation destination and resort playground for the international jet set.
A serene oasis for discerning travelers, the resort will feature 47 pavilion-style suites, including an ultra-luxurious, three-bedroom presidential suite. Each accommodation will feature breath-taking ocean views and thoughtful amenities finely tuned to the desires of today’s affluential explorer, including private infinity plunge pools, hammocks, open-air baths and showers and live orchid walls in each bathroom. Boasting a design that reflects the lush locale, the aesthetic borrows from historic Caribbean and architectural pioneers to offer a classic, timeless feel coupled with modern amenities and services.
Rosewood Half Moon Bay Antigua will also offer an exclusive residential component comprised of branded oceanfront and oceanview villas, and 13 extraordinary estate home parcels. The crown jewel property, which was previously owned by the Mellon Family, is perched on a dramatic bluff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, and is the only location of its kind in the Caribbean.
Set to become one of the most exciting destinations to dine and drink in the Caribbean, Rosewood Half Moon Bay will include several innovative dining and lounge concepts. Situated on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the resort’s social nexus, the signature lounge will be inspired by the flavors, colors, and culture of the West Indies. Artisanal Caribbean cocktails and small plates accompanied by live reggae and ska music will set the atmosphere for a lively night out.
The resort will also feature a pool grill and beach bar, as well as an on-site organic farm, which will provide fresh ingredients for seasonal fare year-around.
Additional property amenities will include two pools, one for adults and one for families, a fitness center, and tennis courts. Additionally, Sense, a Rosewood Spa, will offer an indulgent experience with six signature treatment rooms and locally inspired treatments.
Located adjacent to a 27-acre national park, Rosewood Half Moon Bay Antigua is ideally situated to explore the stunning natural surroundings. A curated selection of immersive activities and unique excursions will showcase the best of the island, while biking and walking trails, beach activities, and interactive guided experiences will excite active travelers and families alike.
“With its secluded location and breath-taking beach, Half Moon Bay is one of the world’s most stunning hidden gems, and a natural destination for Rosewood’s affluential explorers,” says Sonia Cheng, chief executive officer of Rosewood Hotel Group. “We look forward to integrating Rosewood’s Sense of Place philosophy into Antigua’s incredible natural environment to create unforgettable experiences for our guests.”
“We are honoured to be the stewards responsible for reimagining this legendary property that is so loved by the people of Antigua and for almost 50 years attracted travelers from around the world,” said Michael Coyle, chief executive officer of Replay Destinations. “By partnering with Rosewood Hotels, who not only have a storied history in Antigua, they also bring to Half Moon Bay a philosophy and approach for their guests that focuses on the distinct culture, history and geography of each locale. Together, we believe that what we will create at Half Moon Bay, Antigua will be the finest resort in the Caribbean and one of the finest in the world.”
Rosewood Half Moon Bay will join a regional network of distinctive Rosewood properties in the region, including Rosewood Baha Mar, slated to open in Spring 2018, Rosewood Bermuda which will undergo a complete renovation to be unveiled in May 2018, and Rosewood Little Dix Bay, slated to re-open at a later date.
About Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts® manages 21 one-of-a-kind luxury properties in 12 countries, with 17 new hotels under development. Each Rosewood hotel embraces the brand’s A Sense of Place® philosophy to reflect the individual location’s history, culture and sensibilities. The Rosewood collection includes some of the world’s most legendary hotels and resorts, including The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel in New York, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas and Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel in Paris, as well as new classics such as Rosewood Beijing.
For more information: rosewoodhotels.com
Connect with us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @rosewoodhotels
For real estate inquiries visit halfmoonbayantigua.com
Media Contacts:
North America
Callie Stanton
Telephone: +1 646 654 3438 Email: cstanton@nikecomm.com
Mainland China
Cristie Zhao
Telephone: +86 10 6528 9983 – 207 Email: cristie.zhao@ghcasia.com
UK
Claudia Lees
Telephone: +44 20 3003 6588 Email: claudia.lees@freuds.com
Hong Kong and Asia
Fenix Wong
Telephone: +852 2837 4733 Email: Fenix.Wong@edelman.com
Redevelopment to transform Nu Forest Products land and abandoned Garden Inn into park and mixed-use community that will strengthen the arrival experience to Central Healdsburg
Replay Resorts announced today that it has acquired an important redevelopment site in the town of Healdsburg, California. Replay has assembled and acquired two sites in this transaction; the currently abandoned Garden Inn, and the home of Nu Forest Products. The consolidated 10.4 acre property is two blocks from Healdsburg’s historic town square, and is one of the largest contiguous landholdings to be designated for redevelopment by the town and its citizens. Together these sites will aid in the revitalization of the southern portion of Healdsburg Avenue, and along with the roundabout project soon to be underway, build upon a new gateway and welcoming arrival experience to Healdsburg.
“We envision transforming what has been an abandoned hotel and a working specialty lumber mill at the entrance of this very special town, into an innovative community consistent with the efforts of the City and citizens as they developed the Central Healdsburg Avenue Plan” said Michael Coyle, CEO of Replay Resorts.
Nu Forest Products currently employs approximately 70 people and will move to a new location twenty-five miles to the north in Cloverdale. The land comprised of the mill and lumberyard operation and the Garden Inn site – one of the first sights driving into downtown Healdsburg – are part of the ‘Central Healdsburg Avenue Plan’ that has been identified as land for redevelopment in the area.
“We look forward to working with the City of Healdsburg and local residents in the planning process for this land and through the approval process.” said David Hill, Managing Director and project manager for Replay Resorts. “In the coming months, we will establish an office in Healdsburg and will be launching a community website where local residents and visitors can view the proposed plan for the development site and provide feedback on the plan as it progresses through the county approval process. With experience in both Napa and Sonoma counties we are crystal clear that Napa is Napa and Sonoma is Sonoma. We will respect and celebrate a design and an experience for this place that reflects the values unique to Sonoma, and Healdsburg itself.”
Healdsburg is continually ranked as one of the best and most livable small town’s in America. It is easily accessible located only one and a half hours north of San Francisco by car, or by direct flight from major western cities to the nearby Sonoma County Airport. In the future, access to Healdsburg will become more convenient with the SMART (Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit) Healdsburg station adjacent to this community.
Renowned Resort Developer getting back to its roots with signature condominium project at Park City’s Canyons Village Base Area
Replay Resorts announced today that it has acquired a development site situated at the base of the expanded Park City Mountain Resort in the Canyons Village base area. The site is immediately adjacent to the Sunrise chairlift and will enhance the future development of Canyons Village.
“This is a great opportunity for Replay that leverages our deep mountain resort development experience,” said Michael Coyle, CEO of Replay Resorts. “Park City ranks as one of the top ski destinations in the world and with the recent connection of Park City and Canyons ski areas, it is now the biggest story in the ski industry. We couldn’t be more pleased to be involved in this story, developing a premier ski-in, ski-out site at the base of the expanded Park City resort.”
Replay Resorts is the Master Developer for Canyons Village on behalf of TCFC and has been working to develop a master plan for Canyons Village that will elevate the Canyons Village guest experience with new retail, amenities, and places to stay that will exceed the experience at other top ranked resort destinations in North America.
“One of our core objectives serving in the Master Developer role for Canyons Village has been to advance development within the overall master plan,” said Replay Managing Director, Gary Raymond. “Replay specifically pursued the acquisition of this site due to its prime ski-in, ski-out location and we look forward to continuing our work with the RVMA’s Design Review Committee and with Summit County in finalizing design approval for the project.”
Vail Resorts, the operator of Park City, recently added the new eight-passenger Quicksilver Gondola, making Park City the largest ski resort in the United States with over 7,300 acres of skiable terrain. More than $50 million in capital improvements was invested across the entire resort to transform the guest experience and create a ‘village to town’ ski experience from Canyons Village to Park City.
About TCFC
TCFC is primary property owner at Canyons Village at Park City and the Waldorf Astoria Park City. TCFC was instrumental in completing the Canyons Resort Golf course in the fall of 2014 and long term planning of the real estate development future of Canyons Village at Park City. TCFC’s holdings include over 4 million square feet of entitled density in and around the Canyons Village area and the land leased to Vail Resort for ski area operations.
Media Contact
Todd Patrick, Director of Marketing & Sales, Replay Resorts
TPatrick@replayresorts.com
Tel: 778-385-3974
Renowned Canadian Resort Developer to Create Destination Resort on One of the Top-Rated Beaches in the World
Today, Replay Resorts announced that it has acquired 108 acres of oceanfront land from the Government of Antigua on what is consistently ranked one of the best beaches in the world. The former Half Moon Bay Resort was built in the 1950’s, and for decades was a sought-after vacation destination and resort playground for international travelers and celebrities. Replay’s expertise in envisioning, designing, marketing, building and operating res0rt destinations will re-establish Half Moon Bay as one of the most idyllic destinations in the Caribbean.
According to Prime Minister Gaston Browne: “Over the past 18 months we have met with developers from around the world who have shown great interest in redeveloping Half Moon Bay, but Replay Resorts stood out for its expertise in resort place making and as importantly, its ability to put these places on the world map. These are integral elements to realizing the potential of Half Moon Bay. Replay’s vision for Half Moon Bay will generate significant employment and economic benefits for the people of Antigua for years to come.”
Replay has completed preliminary planning for the new Half Moon Bay Resort, which includes an internationally recognized luxury branded beachfront hotel, oceanfront villas and lots, an intimate retail village and ocean view cottages. It will be an active place,wherethenaturalelementsoflandandoceanwillappealtotheaffluentactivetraveler. The new Half Moon Bay plans include amenities such as bike and walking trails, an “edible landscape” plan, pools, spa and fitness, restaurants, bars, beach activities and interactive guided experiences. In the future, following Replay’s custom in its other resorts, Half Moon Bay will host globally recognized events. Half Moon Bay will also strive to find globally recognized solutions to reduce its footprint from an energy, water and waste standpoint and assist Antigua in meeting its commitments in the Paris climate change agreement.
“We feel honored to be entrusted with the redevelopment of Half Moon Bay,” said Michael Coyle CEO of Replay Resorts. “Our vision for Half Moon Bay is to create a destination resort with experiences and adventures that create indelible memories for our guests. We will work in partnership and collaboration with the people of Antigua to provide these experiences. We like to say that we help our guests see the ways of the place through the eyes of a local.”
Half Moon Bay Resort has been approved for the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP), recently introduced by Antigua and Barbuda. Sales of the CIP real estate will begin immediately. Replay has established an international distribution partnership to accelerate sales of CIP, and in turn accelerate the redevelopment of Half Moon Bay. Replay will announce its hotel brand partner in the spring of 2016 and construction of the resort is estimated to begin in late 2016.
“This is our second acquisition in the Caribbean this past year,” said Replay Managing Director Bill Green. “Our strict investment criteria and development strategies focus on creating destinations in locations with an established reputation, hospitality market, and brand. Antigua aligns perfectly with our growth strategy. Half Moon Bay affords Replay a unique competitive advantage to create what we believe will be one of the finest resorts in the Caribbean. A new international airport with direct flights from the US and Europe, the bay itself, the land and landscape combined with the ease of access to Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour and St. John’s make Half Moon Bay an ideal location for the international traveler and vacation home buyer and a smart investment for those seeking the benefits of the CIP.”
Media Contacts
Courtney DeMesme-Anders, Murphy O’Brien Public Relations Tel: 310-586-7118
cdemesmeanders@murphyobrien.com
Canadian Developer to transform former Ocean Place development
Today Replay Destinations (Bahamas) Ltd. announced the acquisition of the majority of units in the former Ocean Place condominium development on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas.
“We could not be more pleased that after two years of work this acquisition for Replay is complete,” said Michael Coyle, CEO of Replay Resorts. “The growing popularity of the Bahamas, the ease of access to Nassau, the amenities of Paradise Island and improving real estate market conditions position this project very well to meet the growing market demand for second homes in a location where the supply of similar homes is very limited now and into the future.”
Bill Green, Managing Director of Replay Resorts, added “As the tallest purely residential building on Paradise Island the condominiums offer tremendous views in all directions—over Nassau Harbour, across the Ocean Club golf course, and towards the Atlantis. Being adjacent to Ocean Club with close proximity to the beach and Atlantis makes the location ideal for real estate buyers. There will never be another building like this on Paradise Island.”
Of the building’s 79 units, 27 are currently owned and 52 are unfinished. Replay Destinations (Bahamas) Ltd. has acquired all unfinished units and is planning a major transformation and completion of the building. As part of its plan Replay will be releasing a very limited number of condominiums for sale in the next month.
Replay will be engaging with existing owners and members of the community very soon.
For further information please contact: Greg Ulmer, Director of Marketing and Sales, Replay Destinations Bahamas Ltd.
Email: gulmer@replaydestinations.com
Phone: 1 386.527.4010
Real estate vision and master plan to accelerate transformation of Park City ski destination
Varde Partners (“Varde”) and Replay Resorts (“Replay”) announced today that Replay has been selected to act as the master developer for its substantial land holdings in the Canyons Resort area. Varde is the managing member of TCFC Finance Co LLC (“TCFC”), which owns much of the land comprising the Canyons Ski Resort.
The selection of Replay as master developer is an important step in TCFC’s strategy to assemble a team of mountain resort industry leaders to plan and position the development land for the future. TCFC’s selection of Replay follows its long-term lease agreement with Vail Resorts in May 2013 for the operation of Canyons Resort. Replay intends to work collaboratively with TCFC, Vail, and local stakeholders to ensure the real estate vision and master plan is cohesive with Vail’s operating plans for Canyons and enhances the overall guest experience at the resort.
“Replay Resorts brings a team to Canyons that is arguably the most experienced in the mountain resort development industry,” said Tony Iannazzo, Managing Director of Varde. “Through the selection process it became clear that the Replay team understands the symbiotic relationship between mountain resort operations and real estate development.”
Brian Cejka, Chief Operating Officer of TCFC, said, “the Replay team’s experience at ski resorts such as Whistler Blackcomb and others gives us confidence that Replay will be able to work closely with Vail and all stakeholders to develop a real estate vision and master plan that enriches the guest experience and brings together all that’s great about Canyons.”
Replay also announced today that Gary Raymond, the former CEO of Intrawest Corporation’s development group, and Connie Wynne, former Regional Vice President of Intrawest Placemaking, have joined Replay and will lead the master developer role at Canyons for Replay. Combined, they have overseen the acquisition, master planning, and development of over 25 resorts in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Europe, and New Zealand and have been responsible for developing more than 10,000 condo hotel units, 4,000 resort condominiums, and 1 million square feet of resort commercial space.
“Over our careers we have spent a tremendous amount of time in the Utah market analyzing various mountain development opportunities,” said Gary Raymond, Managing Director of Replay Resorts. “We believe the Park City area to be the best mountain resort opportunity in the world and Vail’s recent announcement regarding the connection of Canyons to Park City Mountain Resort makes this the most exciting place to be in the ski industry. We look forward to working with TCFC and all stakeholders on developing the vision and master plan for the real estate at Canyons.”
“We couldn’t be more pleased to have this opportunity,” said Michael Coyle, CEO of Replay Resorts. “This role brings us back to our roots and leverages our team’s history and expertise in developing some of the most iconic destination mountain resorts in the U.S., Canada and Europe. We believe this area is evolving to be the most sought after ski destination in North America and with easy proximity to an international airport, this is where the world will come to play.”
Replay will assume its role immediately and will report and act as an advisor to TCFC’s management team and Executive Committee.
About Varde
Varde partners is a $9.0 billion global alternative investment firm that employs a credit-oriented, value-based approach to investing across a broad array of geographies, segments and asset types, including real estate, corporate credit, residential mortgages, specialty finance, transportation and infrastructure. Founded in 1993 Varde employs 200 people with offices in Minneapolis, London and Singapore.
About TCFC
TCFC is the master developer and primary property owner at Canyons Resort. In addition to the ongoing management of the Waldorf Astoria Park City, TCFC was instrumental in completing the Canyons Resort Golf course in the fall of 2014 and long term planning of the real estate development future of Canyons Resort. TCFC’s holdings include over 4 million square feet of entitled density in and around the Canyons Resort area.
For more information please contact:
TCFC – Brian Cejka, Chief Operating Officer at bcejka@tc-fc.com or (214) 384-2055
Varde – Paula Prahl, Global Director of Communications and Public Affairs at pprahl@varde.com or (952) 715-5525
Replay – Greg Ashley, Chief Strategy Officer at gashley@replayresorts.com or (604) 648-6626
SOURCE Varde Partners
Former CEO of Intrawest Placemaking to lead development and growth of a portfolio of resort assets
Replay Resorts announces that Gary Raymond, the former founder and CEO of Intrawest Corporations’ development group and Managing Director of Starwood Capital and Winding Road Development has joined Replay as Managing Director. Gary has widespread global development experience and is thought of as an icon and visionary in the resort development industry. Gary has overseen the acquisition, master planning and development of over 25 resorts in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Europe, and New Zealand and has been directly responsible for developing more than 10,000 condo hotel units, 4,000 resort condominiums, and 1,000,000 square feet of resort commercial space.
As Managing Director, Gary will lead the development of a portfolio of resort assets located primarily in Western North America as part of Replay’s overall business growth strategy. Joining Gary as his partner at Replay will be his long-time development collaborator Connie Wynne who has over 25 years’ experience in the development business, was Gary’s partner in Winding Road Development and prior to that worked at Intrawest Corporation as Regional Vice-President for Intrawest’s Southeast Region where Connie led approximately 50 active real estate projects and a staff of 48 full-time professionals.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to have Gary and Connie join our team,” said Michael Coyle, CEO of Replay Resorts. “Some of the best memories in my career have been working with Gary. At Intrawest, we jointly created innovations that have become industry standards in the resort development business today. The experience and expertise Gary brings to new Replay projects and to the company as a whole creates another competitive advantage for the organization. Having Gary on our team has a bit of a feeling of ‘putting the band back together’ and we look forward to working with both Gary and Connie to expand Replay’s resort development portfolio.”
“It’s exciting to be re-joining my former colleagues at Replay,” said Gary. “We’ve all worked together in the past, we have the utmost respect for each other and, since we know one another’s strengths so well, everything works that much smoother and faster. As they say in the development business, ‘timing is everything’, and our shared optimism in the current market made this the right time for me to join Replay.”
Gary and Connie officially joined the firm in July and have already established a Replay office in Scottsdale, Arizona.
For further Information please contact Greg Ashley, Chief Strategy Officer, Replay Resorts at gashley@replayresorts.com