Banyan Tree Grows On Buyers
 Marty Hope - Calgary Herald
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The Riviera Maya region of Mexico has seen a strong growth in interest in recent years by Calgarians looking for a sun destination, whether for a week or a few months.
On the Caribbean side of the country, this once sleepy fishing village hosts The Banyan Tree Residences Mayakoba, the first resort by Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts to reach the shores of the Americas - and this Riviera Maya development has something totally different for those able to afford the unique luxury that is offered by the 50 whole ownership villas and the 132-villa hotel.
Ownership ranges from $1 million to $6 million US for one-to three-bedroom villas that range from 4,000 to 6,000 square feet.
Each villa comes with a private pool, outdoor jet pools, outdoor bathtubs and showers, poolside terrace and views of the ocean, lagoons, mangrove stands and golf fairways.
Sales were launched this past summer and Banyan Tree Residences Mayakoba is on track to be completed by the start of February, says BrieAnn Fast of Turner PR, which is handling the Banyan Tree marketing account.
Unlike many developments in which buyers don't see their property for months (and sometimes years) after they sign the contract, Banyan Tree Mayakoba will have completely built homes.
Buyers can actually see what they're purchasing before they do so.
The resort has announced its Founder's Program, which will allow those who purchase before Jan. 31 to take a week's vacation.
The program allows them to stay at their villa and invite five of their friends and family to enjoy a week, complements of Banyan Tree, she says.
This close to the grand opening, it's difficult to believe Mayakoba came about because of a few twists of fate.
OHL acquired the Riviera Maya land in the late 1980s, when the coastline area was undeveloped.
During the 1990s, OHL began diversifying at about the same time as tourists were beginning to discover Playa, but it still had no plans to develop its real estate holdings in the area.
Then came 1995. Company officials planned to visit the site with the intention of finding a buyer for it, says Mir in a news release. "But instead it recognized the blue of the sky and the sea and green depths of the mangrove forest, and recognized the value."
During the next year, OHL spent more than $1.5 million US to begin the legwork in transforming the 240 square hectares of mangrove trees, sinkholes and jungle, as well as 1.6 kilo-metres of coastline.
There were also the habitats for monkeys, turtles, pelicans and flamingos to worry about.
OHL had to know about the features of the land and what would be entailed in redevelopment.
They hired an architect who, along with engineers, biologists, and hydrologists, camped out on the land, getting acquainted with their surroundings and thinking of the best way to develop--yet preserve--the area. To protect the delicate ecosystem, OHL spent more than $5 million US in research.
It worked for six years before getting approval from the Mexican government to move forward with development plans.
The government charged OHL with saving half of all vegetation, including 80 per cent of the jungle and 65 per cent of the mangroves.
OHL didn't want to design another Cancun with its string of large hotels along the beach; the Riviera Maya land deserved something special--given the development rules set in place by the government and the company's own "green design" policy, says Mir.
"Let the site be what it wants," he says. "Nature knows and you can't negotiate with that."
Rather than a strip of hotels, OHL decided to introduce a number of smaller hotel lots of 10 to 15 hectares each throughout the site.
The next problem was how to allow residents to move about the property because of the preservation requirements.
Nature gave OHL the answer to this. There is a vast network of underground water, so designers sculpted a series of lagoons and canals that can be used by small electric boats.
There are also narrow trails among the standing trees.
What is on the land now is the result of years of research, planning and carefully plotted development.
"These days, the dreamers and visionaries who saw its unusual potential are beyond content," says Mir.
"Everyone is justifiably proud of the way Mayakoba respects and guards its dunes, jungle and mangroves. Because we listened to nature, we have made a rare and diverse experience from visitors."
IN SHORT
PROJECT: The Banyan Tree Residences Mayakoba.
The resort has 50 whole-ownership villas and a 132-villa hotel. The one-to three-bedroom homes measure 4,000 to 6,000 square feet and come with private pool, outdoor jetted pool, outdoor bathtub and shower, and poolside terrace.
AREA: The Riviera Maya, just north of Playa del Carmen, Mexico. PRICE: The villas are priced from$1 million to $6 million US.
DEVELOPER: OHL Corporation of Madrid, Spain. INFORMATION: Visit www.banyantreemayakoba.com. |
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Puerto Vallarta Real Estate | December 2008 
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