Raising the Standards of Community Living – The British Virgin Islands has long been able to offer world class accommodations; however, Raffles will bring to Tortola a degree of luxury which is truly first rate and world class. Mainsail's Scrub Island Resort and Spa is taking form. Drake's View will add luxury and charm to one of the BVI's finest marinas, Nanny Cay.
MainSail Luxury Community Resort, Scrub Island
Billed as “Intimate and undeniably grand, a 230-acre bastion of tropical splendour embracing’s the British Virgin Island spectacular views . . . a private island of rare beauty, where contemporary luxury meets Caribbean grace . . . where stimulating activities complement serene diversions . . . where discerning vacationers become beach-chair philosophers, honeymooners find unimagined bliss and families rediscover the joy of being together…” the Mainsail Resort Marina and Spa at Scrub Island was the first of the new wave of luxury community resorts to begin construction in the BVI.
Joe Brown, Marketing Director, reporting on the recent rumours that all is not going to plan on the development and that there have been contractual delays, states “Scrub Island Resort is in full swing of construction. Despite some rumours to the contrary, we’ve had a clear plan to build this first class resort by utilizing as many companies as possible who are based in BVI, right from the start. We are proud of the fact that ALL of our contractors are from BVI. Unlike others projects in other countries, where a developer brings in a major general contractor, we met with all companies based in BVI and sent our building specifications only to them. Presently there are 8-10 Contractors on island responsible for building the resort. Some are working on the Marina Village, others the marina, the Welcome centre and lastly the Residences. We committed to a partnership with the local companies and we can say it is working very well!
“MainSail is set to be a very high-end resort…something that BVI will be proud of upon completion, and as a matter of fact we are moving at a rapid pace. This coming August, we have decided to co-sponsor the Inaugural BVI Fishing tournament. It will be exciting for sport fishing boat owners to see a new marina and a new destination for them to visit.
“Although there have been rumours of “slow downs” at Scrub, this is not the case. As the BVI’s first resort development to be built in 15 years we have to set the standard for other projects. We are sensitive to the environment and have moved this project at a pace that we feel will maintain the beauty of BVI.
“We are building world class facilities and we expect the property to be open late spring early summer 2008. Our real estate sales team continues to sell luxury Residences. We have sold out of the 30 marina suites and now have very limited availability for these 3-5 bedroom homes. No owner has voiced an opinion of discontent . . . they understand that building on an island takes time and all are focused on using their unit next year.”
Parties interested in purchasing real estate at this exclusive resort can view further information on the website www.mainsailbvi.com or contact Bettina Grimsley, [email protected], (813) 254-3110 ext 104.
Drake’s Village, Nanny Cay, Tortola
Comprising 32 turn-key, two to three bedroom townhouses finished with luxury and convenience in mind, Drake’s Village will be Tortola’s first marina-based community.
Chris Smith of Coldwell Banker BVI, exclusive agents for the Village, comments “Construction and sales are going very nicely. We’re on schedule for finishing the first eight units early in 2008. Seven of first eight town houses under contract, and there has been lots of interest in next phase. Construction of the next eight units will commence in Autumn 2007 for completion Summer 2008, although to ensure minimum noise disruption the pilings are already in place. The town-houses are priced at $650k for a two bedroom and $750k for a three bedroom; and there will be a choice of furniture packages available from September 2007. The four exclusive, oceanfront private villas will be released for sale very shortly.”
Drakes Village is marketed exclusively by Coldwell Banker BVI. Interested parties can make contact through the Coldwell Banker BVI website, www.coldwellbankerbvi.com, or by calling (284) 495 3000.
Lambert Beach Resort to be replaced by Raffles, Tortola
Raffles Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement with Greenfield Property Holdings Limited to manage a new luxury resort and residence, Raffles Tortola. Set on 50 acres of pristine beachfront property at the north eastern end of Tortola, the current site of the Lambert Beach Resort, Raffles Tortola will offer residents a secluded half-mile white sand beach and sweeping views of the shimmering Caribbean Sea.
Raffles Tortola is scheduled to open in 2010. Residents can look forward to an elegantly appointed 100-room resort as well as 250 Raffles Residences of luxury villas, casitas, condominiums and estate lots available for ownership. In addition, residents will have access to a choice of four restaurants and bars, three swimming pools, a fitness centre, two beach clubs providing an extensive range of leisure activities and a signature RafflesAmrita Spa.
Chief Minister of the BVI, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, welcomes the agreement. “The British Virgin Islands has long been able to offer world class accommodations; however, Raffles will bring to Tortola a degree of luxury which is truly first rate and world class. The business and tourism communities have long asked for a resort of this stature on Tortola and Raffles will meet that demand. The fact that this resort is 100% owned by British Virgin Islanders is a perfect example of how we as a people are able to develop a large scale project with the same quality and success enjoyed by major investors throughout the world. This is an accomplishment of which we are all extremely proud.”
“My partner, Percy Rhoden and I are thrilled to be part of The British Virgin Islands dynamic tourism growth, and Raffles Tortola can only add to the island’s reputation as a choice destination for visitors to the British Virgin Islands,” said Mark Vanterpool, Co-Director of Greenfield Property Holdings Ltd. “This is Raffles’ first project in the Virgin Islands and we are very pleased to be working with such a world renowned brand.”
“Raffles Tortola will be distinguished by the heartfelt service and residential charm that is characteristic of the Raffles brand,” said Diana Ee Tan, Managing Director of Raffles Hotels & Resorts. “This luxurious sanctuary will be an ideal point from which residents can enjoy the lush landscape and white sand beaches of Tortola, and we are delighted that Greenfield Property Holdings Ltd. has appointed Raffles to manage this gem in such an awe-inspiring locale and destination.”
Reservations are now being accepted to take part in the Founder’s Programme, with 20 memberships to be made available in late 2007. Founder’s Programme packages will feature a fully furnished villa situated on an elevated ocean view home site.
“Raffles Tortola will truly be an awe-inspiring sanctuary,” says Mike Collins, Principal and CEO of IMI, the company charged with marketing the resort throughout th
e USA. “The unique opportunity to be part of a Founder’s Programme will afford a select few the opportunity to enjoy a first-rate resort experience, in a thriving international destination that is attracting a compelling global market.”
Raffles Tortola is currently being marketed exclusively by IMI. Interested parties can make contact through IMI’s Web site at www.imiliving.com or call (864) 233-6070.
