Join the A-List stars in Antigua

If you fancy rubbing shoulders with Pierce Brosnan, Oprah Winfrey or Georgio Armani, then a ground-breaking development in Antigua might be just the ticket.

Set on an elevated sunset facing bluff on the west coast of Antigua, Tamarind Hills is a luxurious five star development that is attracting interest with its contemporary design and focus on the environment. Tamarind HIlls offers 23 spectacular villas and 39 apartments set in 12.81 acres, with prices from £368,700 to £2.17m. The resort has been designed by acclaimed Caribbean architect Lane Pettigrew.

Rufus Gobat, managing director of the Tamarind Hills says the development is receiving interest from professionals mainly from North America and Europe. "We have had a lot of interest from professionals who have weathered the current financial storm in the 35-45 age-bracket, who prefer a more contemporary property" says Gobat. He explains that the credit crunch has ended the practise of investors buying property and selling immediately, or 'flipping', to take advantage of rising property values.  "We are seeing buyers who not only want the property as an investment, but also know the island and want to winter here," explains Gobat.

The Environment

Increasingly, this type of property buyer is also interested in the environmental aspect of property and Gobat explains that Tamarind Hills has been designed specifically with this in mind. "All the material excavated from the site has been recycled back into the development. The buildings have been designed with high ceilings to minimise the need for air conditioning and rainwater run-off is reused within the development and very low energy halide bulbs are used throughout. We have also used replaceable Ecalyptus-based bed linen from Australia," says Gobat.

Interest has been strong and enquiries in the first quarter have already outstripped total enquiries in the previous 12 months. And while sterling has lost a fifth of its purchasing power against the dollar, Gobat is no longer seeing this as a barrier to purchase. "A year ago currency was definitely an issue, but I think people now accept that sterling will stay at the US1.50 level for some time and so it has become less of an issue," says Gobat.

Features

Property features include retractable glass walls leading out onto floating infinity pools that wrap around the property on enormous private terraces which have uninterrupted views of the pristine beach and turquoise ocean. Interiors have elements of Caribbean design with high ceilings and jalousie window shutters but are given a contemporary look by interior designer Alex Gobat. Natural materials such as local wood, stone, clay and coral are combined with dark wood furniture with pale leather upholstery to give a cool and clean-lined look without being too minimalist. Each property has its own garden, which is landscaped with Caribbean trees and colourful tropical plants.

The island attracts many celebrities, namely Paul McCartney, Simon Cowell and John Barrowman in recent months and those that own property on the island include Georgio Armani, Eric Clapton, Jazzy B, Oprah Winfrey, Pierce Brosnan and Jay Kay.

Taxes

The usual purchase costs for non-nationals in Antigua are 7.5% of the value of the purchase. This is made up of 2.5% stamp duty, and 5% for the Alien Landholding license. However, Island Heights, has received the highest levels of concessions available from the Antiguan Government. This includes passing on a 75% waiver of purchase taxes to first time buyers of Tamarind Hills properties, reducing the 7.5% tax to 1.87% which equates to a saving of some £115,000 on a larger property. This exclusive offer is not available elsewhere in the Antigua real estate market. There is no estate duties in Antigua, although there is an annual property tax currently 0.03%

All properties are being sold on a freehold basis with some apartments available as buy-to-lets. An optional rental programme is available to all owners. 

Facilities

Leisure facilities include resort infinity pools, tennis courts, water sports club, kids club, gym, yoga and pilates studios, jogging track and dive shop, as well as two bars and a restaurant. The spa will be built overlooking Orange Valley and into the beautiful Shekerley Mountains, and offer Caribbean inspired treatments and therapies. 

The development is fully secure and there is a fixed community cost relative to the size of the villa. There is also a full rental management package on offer.

Getting There

Antigua is currently served by British Airways which offer a daily service from Gatwick and Virgin Atlantic which fly three times weekly from Gatwick. The flight time from the UK is approximately eight hours. The resort is very easy to get to, being just 20 minutes drive from Antigua’s international airport and the capital St John’s. Jolly Harbour which has the largest man-made marina in the region, with its restaurants, shops, supermarkets and night life is only five minutes drive away.

Access to the resort is controlled by three 24 hour manned security points and CCTV cameras are positioned throughout the resort. Whilst in the residences owners have an audio video entry phone system and push button direct connection to the concierge.

Payment Terms

Ground was broken on the reception building in February 2008, and construction of the homes began in February 2009. Anticipated delivery of phase one is the last quarter of 2010 and the projected date for completion of the whole resort is 2013.A typical reservation to handover time period will be 14-18 months. Adaptations to interior fittings can be made, but may incur extra cost. The payment terms for purchasing at Tamarind Hills are as follows:

• US 6,000 reservation fee
• 20% deposit on signing of contracts
• 30% on completion of roof
• 30% on practical completion
• 20% on handover

For more information go to www.tamarind-hills.com or email: Rufus Gobat