Pacifico unveils model homes

Source: www.journalcr.com
Edition # 94
(C.A. News) — Exotic, comfortable and nice. Those are the adjectives that come to mind when observing the eight homes recently inaugurated by the Pacifico project in Playas del Coco, Guanacaste. An open house was organized to unveil the project, giving the public the chance to enjoy its amenities and entice them to get one of the homes.

Pacifico is a development of the Jack Parker Corporation, of U.S. capital, which with more than 50 years of experience in the business saw on the Guanacaste coast an ideal place to establish a resort-style community that would include all services and amenities possible, in an exotic locale of great natural beauty.

The model homes are identical to the ones currently being built, all decorated by U.S. company Robb and Stucky, which has more than 90 years of experience in interior design.

In total, the development has 350 condos, townhouses and villas, in addition to 20 apartments for rent and 150 lots for home sites, some of which have a superb view of the ocean.

The project occupies 75 hectares, for an investment of $100.

The first stage of the project, which began in October 2006, consists of 56 homes. Construction of this first phase is expected to be completed by August, but already more than 40 percent of the residences have been sold. A total of 61 lots for home sites and 25 residences have been sold.

The Pacifico Beach Club House, which will be available to all homeowners in the first phase, is almost ready as well.

“We are very satisfied with the number of buyers and the pace of sales at Pacifico. In contrast with the real estate market in the United States, the Latin American market has not slowed down, and continues to be a interesting market for buyers from all over the world,” said Kerry Trowbridge, senior vice president for Jack Parker Corporation.


Convenience and amenities

The idea behind Pacifico is to provide residents all amenities in the same place, so that they don’t have to go out of the complex to enjoy them.

Benefits include membership in the Pacifico Beach Club House, which will have a bar, restaurant, recreational areas and a pool, and access to the ocean. A shuttle service will be offered in the future to residents to go to the beach.

In addition, residents will be able to enjoy the Sunset Bar, pools for adults and children, tennis courts, a health club and spa, BBQ areas and a kids’ play area. All of this can be enjoyed with the peace of mind of 24-hour security services in the complex.

About 26 percent of the project’s total area will be landscaped, allowing for enjoyable walks. Residents will be able to relax, exercise and enjoy a water pavilion.

Also part of the project will be an Automercado grocery store and the Pacific Retail Village, a shopping center with 12 business spaces for professionals, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and a tour operator. Robb and Stucky will have its first art studio outside of the United States here.

Both the supermarket and the shopping center will be located at the entrance of Pacifico, and they are expected to open in December. They will cater both to residents and the community.


Luxury residences

Pacifico offers its clients three types of residences: lifestyle, clubhouse and townhouse.

The difference among them has to do with the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Townhouses are bigger, with four bedrooms and four bathrooms on three roomy levels. All homes have a garage, with space for one or two cars.

All residences come equipped with appliances, kitchen furniture and first-class accessories. They are also wired for phone, Internet and cable.

For interior decoration, Pacifico established a strategic alliance with Robb and Stucky, which took care of the last little detail in the homes.

If the customer so wishes, he or she can request a non-decorated house. But for those who don’t want to worry about interior design, Robb and Stucky offers four decoration packages: Bali, Tortola, Watercolors and Carmel, including furniture, dish sets, curtains, towels and even table decorations.

This is Robb and Stucky’s first job overseas. They had worked in Europe and the Caribbean, but only in sales. In the case of Pacifico, the firm decided to bring its own designers to work with local experts, in order to adapt its styles to the tropics.

Dan Lubner, Robb and Stucky’s marketing vice president, said what sets his company apart from competitors is that it offers large quantities, volume and reasonable prices, in addition to providing customers total satisfaction.

“It’s a combination of quality, low prices and volume. Besides, we make sure the service is delivered correctly, that everything is put into place”, Lubner said.

Lubner added that one unique aspect of Pacifico’s decorations is the use of impermeable materials in outside furniture, with the goal of protecting them from water and salinity. The colors were also carefully chosen to be in harmony with nature.

Great expectations

Pacifico was conceived to be built and sold in five years. However, sales have been so good that the developers are considering accelerating construction.

Company calculations were conservative, as they initially estimated there will be 100 sales per year during four years. But in only five months there have been 86 sales.

Trowbridge underscored that an interesting situation has taken place: lots have been very well received, especially by Costa Ricans. Of the 61 that have been sold so far, 54 percent have been acquired by Ticos, followed by 36 percent by Americans.

This means that Costa Ricans are seeing Playas del Coco as a great investment opportunity, and not only as a traditional vacation spot.

The homes, on the other hand, have been bought mostly by Americans.

Jayson Matthews, sales team leader in Playas del Coco, said the buyers are many and very different.

“We see young families, retirees, people from Canada, Bermuda, the U.S. Locals are buying too, as they like the amenities of Pacífico,” Matthews said, adding that people invest in Costa Rica because they like the country, its people and the pace of life.

Home and lot prices start at around $150,000.

Trowbridge qualified this first international endeavor by Jack Parker as “a very positive experience,” as they have had the opportunity to work with very good professionals, both in the United States and in Costa Rica. Thanks to this, they are thinking about starting other projects, most likely in Guanacaste.

The project will continue collaborating with the community of Playas del Coco by donating money to pave the roads, beautify the boulevard and protect water sources.

Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com/
Website: http://www.northpacificproperties.com/
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com