For Californians, no other international destination has the combined accessibility, allure and appeal of our friend south of the border. Mexico is fast becoming the top choice for vacationers in search of a second home, primarily for its convenience and remarkable beauty. It should come as no surprise that a number of high-end developers have gotten into the game, luring top designers and architects to their new projects. We explored three of the most popular areas, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Cancun, and uncovered a few of the new and luxurious properties turning heads on these sun-splashed beaches.
Villas Del Mar, Oasis Palmilla & Espiritu Del Mar
The stunning coast of Los Cabos overlooks the sparkling Sea of Cortez under a cloudless blue sky. It’s no wonder Ron Hatfield and Ken Schnitzer knew this would be their spot for vacation residences, ones offering “exquisite craftsmanship, outstanding service, and a vibrant community spirit.” Villas Del Mar, the premiere project of Del Mar Development, started with six luxury villas in 1996 and has since grown to 150. With options of oceanfront, oceanview or mountainside villa, these 5,300-square-foot, five-bedroom homes offer detailed craftsmanship with colonial Mexican architecture for a “rustic, yet elegant” feel. Private courtyards, living rooms with 16-foot beamed ceilings, indoor/outdoor dining areas, infinity pools and professional-grade kitchens are only a few of the top notch amenities. Additionally, there’s 6,500 square feet of outdoor space, perfect for extravagant entertaining. villasdelmar.com.
Club Ninety Six, an $8 million beach club overlooking Palmilla Cove, gives residents a private venue to socialize and unwind. The Club’s long list of privileges includes a 22-meter lap pool, state-of-the-art fitness club, heated spas, pool attendants, a member’s only wine cellar and hand-carved wood furniture from artisans in historic San Miguel de Allende. A 55-foot catamaran is also available for sunset sails or private parties.
Two new residences are on the horizon for Del Mar, Oasis Palmilla and Espiritu Del Mar. Modeled after the natural beauty of the Sonora Desert, the Oasis Palmilla offers a limited number of 40 expansive home sites overlooking a Jack Nicklaus Championship Golf Course. Espiritu Del Mar will incorporate green communal spaces in a European-style mountain village setting with pathways down to the sea. The gated community will include 150 amazing residences nestled in intimate enclaves. oasispalmilla.com and espiritudelmar.com.
Icon Vallarta
For the real estate buyer with a discerning eye for innovations in design and architecture, the Icon Vallarta has your name, and a couple other really big ones, written all over it. The project, in gorgeous Puerto Vallarta, consists of three 26-story high-rise luxury towers, each housing 336 condominiums and seven pool villas fronting the Pacific Ocean.
The main appeal of this venture is the impressive creative team behind it. The third collaboration of The Related Group, a multi-family real estate developer in the United States helmed by Jorge M. Pérez, and the brilliant interior designs of Yoo by renowned Philippe Starck, the Icon Vallarta brings sophistication and modernity to the beach. The sleek structure itself is designed by internationally acclaimed architectural firm Arquitectonica. Cradled by the mountains, beach and ocean, the towering residences are only minutes away from downtown Vallarta’s bustling cultural scene, thriving with art galleries and world-class restaurants. iconvallarta.com.
Puerto Cancun
Located within the Bay of Isla Mujeres, adjacent to downtown Cancun on a stretch of untouched oceanfront property, Puerto Cancun is like a city within a city. Considered one of the last undeveloped regions in Cancun, it is also thought to be the largest on the Mexican Caribbean. At completion it will offer 2,100 luxury condominiums and apartments on 808 total acres. Highlights include a Tom Weiskopf Championship Golf Course, a full service mega yacht marina and a shopping center. Each Estate Home, built on one of 435 lots ranging from 4,500 to 25,000 square feet, will overlook the golf course or water and will have an individual boat slip for each waterfront property. Because of its close proximity to exciting Cancun, this destination is the perfect choice for the buyer looking to mix private retreat with convenient access to an eclectic nightlife.
puertocancun.com
