Regions International
Puerto Vallarta Condo Tower Shows that High-End Market Still Thrives
May 12, 2008
By: Scott Baltic, Contributing Editor

The launch party will be held Friday and five of 46 condo units are presold, with three more under contract. Not earth-shattering, perhaps, but further evidence that the real estate slowdown is an inconsistent beast.  

The first of two towers at Grupo GVA’s $40 million-plus Dos Marias condo project just outside Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico’s Pacific coast, broke ground about two months ago. The 18-story south tower will include 29 two-bedroom homes of nearly 2,000 square feet each, 13 three-bedroom homes of 2,400 to 2,500 square feet all at the building’s corners. In addition, there will be four penthouses: a traditional penthouse on the top floor and three two-story townhouse penthouses below it.  

Shared amenities at the development will include a bar and pool area, a gym with sun deck, 24-hour security and a small grocery store. The second tower will feature a multi-edge infinity pool on the 12th floor; a second pool in the south tower will overlook the jungle and the adjacent river.

Two of the penthouses are among the presold units, Wayne Franklin, president of Tropicasa Realty, Dos Marias’ sales representative, told CPN. “People are still looking for retirement and vacation homes,” he said, and the top end of the market hasn’t seen much fallout from the recession. Preconstruction prices start at $297,000 and go up to nearly $1 million for a penthouse.  

Tropicasa has cast a wide net to market Dos Marias, he said, and buyers so far have included Americans, Mexicans and Canadians, with some European interest as well. “Mexico is basically on sale as far as Canadians are concerned,” Franklin noted.  

The first tower is scheduled for completion in 12 to 15 months. A second, very similar tower on the five-acre site will break ground in about six months, depending on sales in the first tower.  

        

        
    


 
Recent International Headlines
domaine Chartwell to Buy Out Seniors Housing JV
Residences Melior, an affiliate of Groupe Melior, of Montreal, has exercised its right under a joint venture agreement with Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT to sell to Chartwell the remaining 50 percent interest owned by Melior in seven assisted-living properties in the Province of Quebec.
European ProLogis Fund Secures $383M Refi
ProLogis European Properties Fund II, a private equity fund established by Denver-based distribution facilities provider ProLogis, has attained a five-year secured term loan facility valued at €264 million, or approximately $383 million, for the purpose of refinancing 34 properties in Central Europe.
Inmobiliaria Colonial Nears Debt Restructuring
Inmobiliaria Colonial SA of Barcelona is reportedly close to finalizing a $12.9 million deal with its various creditors that could include the sale of some assets and a future infusion of cash from shareholders.
ProLogis Inks 475,000-SF Build-to-Suit Deal Near Paris
ProLogis has announced that it will build a new, 475,000-square-foot industrial warehouse near Paris for C&A France, the French subsidiary of international clothing retailer C&A.
U.S. Private Equity Firms Seek Bargains in Japanese REIT Market
Japanese REITs, which have lost more than 50 percent of their value on the Tokyo Stock Exchange since their peak last year, are increasingly attracting the attention of U.S.-based private equity firms like Oaktree Capital Management, which has launched the first tender offer for a REIT in Japan.