rEASONS TO Own
Something Different. Something Authentic.
Ocean Views
Residents will enjoy views of Bahia Potrero, as well as Playa Flamingo and Playa Brasilito from the property.
Walk to the Beach
Alegrķa is only 200 meters from the beach. Other resort communities tend to be expansive and require a golf cart just to get to the beach; some are located on such a steep hillside, that walking to the beach is difficult.
Marina Re-Development
Property values in the Flamingo area are expected to more than double when the marina redevelopment is completed. Construction on the government’s master plan is scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2008.
Calm and Scenic Potrero Bay
The beach at Bahia Potrero offers a gentle slope and is protected from strong surf. It is an excellent beach for children and safe swimming. It is also very picturesque, with its crescent shape. When the marina is finished, the coming and going of boats will only add to the charm. The boardwalk around the bay will also become a destination, a romantic addition for evening strolls: artists will want to set up their easels along the boardwalk and guitarists will play for the sunset crowd.
Variety of Playa Flamingo and Playa Brasilito
Many resort communities in the area have direct access to only one beach. This is due to natural obstructions, like rocky points or steep hillsides. Residents at Alegrķa will have easy access to two oceanfront beaches within an easy 800 meter walk, or they can choose the calm of Potrero Bay’s white sandy beach.
Endless Beach Hopping
By bicycle, jeep or sea kayak, Flamingo is the ideal destination to explore numerous secluded beaches with clear water perfect for snorkeling. Every day could be a picnic on a different beach.
“Discovery” of Flamingo
Sophisticated buyers enjoy the ego gratification that comes with discovering an area before it is old news; they also appreciate the benefits of getting in early, and understand that this means their property values will quickly appreciate. For these buyers, it is an advantage that Flamingo is “behind” Tamarindo and lacks many of those amenities and services that come with a more developed location.
Flamingo as More Upscale
Flamingo will benefit from the careful development that was missing from Tamarindo’s evolution from a small fishing village to a major surf destination. Flamingo has already capitalized on this desire for a more upscale resort area, and has already attracted two major luxury brands: Guanacaste’s northern Pacific coast will have an additional 3500 high-end hotel rooms within the next three years, according to at least nine major hotel and resort projects either under way, or being planned. Hotel chains like Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Regent International Hotels, Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, JW Marriott, Aman Resorts International, the Ritz Carlton, One and Only Resorts, and the Hilton Hotels Corporation have all either broken ground, are in the permitting stage, or are negotiating to build hotels from Hacienda Pinilla, south of Tamarindo, to Peninsula Papagayo. The hotels and resorts represent a combined investment of nearly one billion dollars in a stretch of Costa Rica’s coastline less than 38 miles long Reserva Conchal, a 5-star Sol Melia resort, is also a major anchor to this upscale image, and is considered among locals and tourists to be the resort of choice.
Flamingo as Lower Density
Tamarindo continues to develop faster than it can think, and as a result there is a development frenzy there that is threatening to fill every last nook and cranny. By comparison, Alegrķa buyers will find a more rural and tranquil setting in Flamingo. While this may change over the next 10 years, it is definitely an advantage for Alegrķa buyers.
Deep Sea Fishing
Flamingo is renowned for world-class sport fishing, both deep blue water and reef or shoreline fishing, boasting world records in marlin, sailfish, snapper, wahoo, tuna and roosterfish.
Alegrķa as Most Authentic
Alegrķa, as a haven for authentic Costa Rican art and culture, will quickly rise to the top of consciousness for several reasons, but also for the simple reason that this is entirely unique in the market place. Aside from the nature and biodiversity theme (not the strong suit for Alegrķa), all of the other competitors are selling a luxury concept that is the same all over the world. Affluent Americans crave authenticity and are willing to travel the world over in search of it.
The Locals’ Choice
Alegrķa will attract many Costa Rican second homeowners. As the local’s choice, affluent North Americans will perceive this as an indication of authenticity, and will automatically make the Alegrķa community more appealing. This is the buyer who wants to know where the locals go for everything, and does not want to be herded into a tourist development filled with North Americans. His or her real estate purchase is meant to deliver a unique Costa Rican experience.
Alegrķa as Haven for the Arts
The art concept has universal appeal that will transfer to the community on many different levels. Art is timeless and appeals to most everyone. Art is also revered and is considered a noble human endeavor (unlike development in general). Art can be a personal hobby, a collector’s item, or the outcome of an afternoon of shopping. It is a source of entertainment and pleasure, as well as national identity and pride. Art typically creates an emotional bond with a place, embodying the memories and life experiences that Boomers are looking for. Art is priceless, and will have the impact of raising the perception of value at Alegrķa. The art concept is unique and therefore memorable, setting the stage for a viral campaign that will enhance sales velocity and price point.
Appeal of a Noble Cause
According to the Urban Land Institute, resort homebuyers are motivated by worthy causes and want to participate in the creation of meaning in the communities they invest in. The Alegrķa community will play a key role in the development of a non-profit organization and an artist-in-residence program that will support development of the arts and culture in Costa Rica. It will also create pride of ownership in buyers who feel they have contributed to a worthy and noble cause.
Life Enhancing Experiences
Getting to know the artists personally and becoming their supporters and collectors provides the kind of life enhancing experiences that truly motivates resort homebuyers. Homeowners at Alegrķa will have the distinction of thinking of themselves as patrons of the arts.
Artists Will Benefit
Most artist’s crave direct interaction with the buyer, as this gratification is usually replaced with intermediaries such as art galleries. Most artists would rather sell directly to their buying public than a gallery.
Alegrķa as Most Unique
Many communities promote resort luxury and ocean views. Some deliver on this promise better than others. But no community in Costa Rica, quite possibly on the entire Pacific Coast, is combining an ocean view setting with authentic arts and culture.
Alegrķa, as the Place to Be
The artist galleries, studios, shops and restaurants will become “the place to be,” drawing visitors from all over Guanacaste, supporting retail revenues and driving the velocity and price point of real estate sales for all future phases of the development. It has the potential of forever changing the identity of Flamingo. Tamarindo will be the scruffy surf town. Flamingo will be the artist colony on the bay with a beautiful marina. Ultimately, Alegrķa can be to Flamingo, what Canyon Road is to Santa Fe.
Small Scale, Intimate
Unlike many competitors, Alegrķa is small and intimate in scale. Many resort developments will require a golf cart for residents to be able to get around to all the amenities, including the beach. Affluent buyers are looking for personal connections and experiences…something that is difficult to achieve in a mega-development that is seasonal to begin with.
Private, Not a Resort
Residential communities that have a hotel onsite sacrifice privacy for critical mass that supports elaborate spas, swimming pools, restaurants and golf course facilities. While residents enjoy having these amenities, they are not enthusiastic about sharing them with tourists and anyone else who can afford the price of a room night. The best scenario is to have a purely residential and private community with resorts nearby, as is the case with Alegrķa, to take advantage of golf courses, restaurants and the like.
Not a Flagship Brand
Some buyers who are less adventuresome seek the safety of flagship brands like Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton. But this is not the majority of the markets. Many buyers see these communities as “cookie-cutter” luxury that could be anywhere in the world. The adventure traveler that is attracted to places like Costa Rica and beyond, is not of the mindset that conservative brands are best; they are more likely to be attracted to one-of-a-kind destinations that hold the promise of “something different” and “something authentic.”
Canopy as Inspiration Garden
The nature area on the property features a mature canopy of trees that is home to many species of birds and howler monkeys. It is a valuable nature asset that residents will want to enjoy. With gravel walkways to protect the forest floor and interpretive signage to identify flora and fauna, the canopy will serve as a point of pride with residents. A few well-placed hammocks and rope chairs will suggest this area as a place for contemplation and meditation.
Proximity to Golf
Playa Conchal offers a Robert Trent Jones Jr. course that is only three minutes away. Hacienda Pinilla is an Audubon certified course that is highly acclaimed. A third course is scheduled for the Flamingo area and is designed by Greg Norman.
Proximity to Upscale Resorts
Two new flagship resorts are scheduled for the Flamingo area, a J.W. Marriott and a Hyatt Regency.
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