Most frequently reflected in the shower, tempered glass doors and stalls give us the jungle, the river, the sea and the city. In Harmony, architect Cachi Pérez goes a step farther by opening a window at the seat level of the “throne” itself. Another “bathroom with a view” everyone exclaimed over was seen at the recent open house for San Sebastián in upper Conchas Chinas, a prime vertical residence represented by Venegas Realty. Not only does the jetted tub have glass doors that swing open onto an unobstructed view of the ocean, the tub itself is under-lit for a marvelous bathing experience at night. Imagine the scene with a lightning show on the horizon. The model is nearly complete in the first phase of San Sebastián, with six condominiums of two and three bedrooms in addition to a luxurious three-bedroom penthouse.
Speaking of lighting, another growing trend is lighting that is hidden, recessed, upward, downward, anything beyond the ordinary light fixture. Swimming pools are more commonly planted now with palms or other dramatic plants, under-lit at night, of course. Victoria Pratt of the Real del Mar Group told me of Jan and Kim Frank and their landscape illumination work in several major projects in the area. Look for a location opening soon.
On a more practical level, windows have evolved with double panes, offering protection from extraneous noise, while Ventana del Mar in Amapas provides the additional protection of gas-filled double panes. These special windows also prevent the passage of harmful UV rays and heat. At the recent open house sponsored by Venegas Realty, we were treated to a tour of the model condominium with its impressive square footage in the master bedroom containing a huge walk-in closet, bathroom and Jacuzzi area. Security elevators take you right up to your apartment from the deeded parking, with a gym and spa on the lobby level.
Another open house of note was the lovely Casa del Pescador on Basilio Badillo, also represented by Venegas Realty. Walk around the open, uncluttered spaces and let your mind soar freely to consider uses, private or commercial, for this villa. We talked bed & breakfast or boutique hotel, but I liked Timothy Fuller & Associates’ Jolene Geil’s idea of a spa, which seems not only timely but functional, without quite as much of an investment for remodeling.
Speaking of properties that lend themselves to specific uses, I visited Rancho Dora again in Punta de Mita, now that the highway passes by without construction-related dust storms. The three-hectare property with two villas and nine bungalows, sponsored by Chris Haines of G3MEX, is perfect for an investor as a grand spa or health resort, as well as allowing for further expansion if desired.
I noted a full-page ad for Litibú in the recent “Mexican Architectural Digest.” For a broader review of their master plan, check www.fonatur.gob.mx (in Spanish only). Even though not mentioned among the FONATUR projects listed on the cover, entering the web site brings you to a section for new developments, including the one in Nayarit.
In nearby Ixtapa, I recently attended the inauguration of the Homex project Banús Vallarta, with ribbon cutting by Mayor Gustavo González Villaseñor. The two-level homes are built in what were previously cornfields, until the current housing boom created the new local market.
