Under the cover of darkness a safety troupe reportedly numbered over a hundred, quickly vanquishing opposition, resulting in minor injuries for several participants. Within hours, the entire park was razed after the removal of the portable stands to the adjacent street. By the end of the week, the decisive action by the mayor in his use of public force to quell the discord was lauded by a number of public leaders. At last the standoff has ended, and the first major change in infrastructure has begun.
By all reports, this season is surpassing all previous records in hotel occupancy, airline and cruise passenger arrival, vehicular traffic from other areas and real estate sales. Optimism continues to reign, as realtors balance requests for home viewings with the dearth of properties on the market. Even open houses, as necessary as they are, are only lightly attended due to tight schedules that permit little extra time.
One of the heavily attended open houses was the long-awaited Santa Barbara Shores sponsored by Applegate Realtors. The luxury beachfront high-rise consists of five condominiums and two private villas, each designed and decorated in distinct avante garde styles. The day seemed to be handpicked for the amazing sunset viewed from the open, spacious balconies of each multi-level apartment. Priced from $1.5 million USD, see Applegate for private showings of this exclusive property.
In the Marina, openings were held at Portofino, Bay View Grand and Casa La Marina. Light attendance either meant short notice of the events, heavy agent schedules, or even perhaps a familiarity with the product. Nevertheless, new homes continue to enter the MLS market, primarily in Gringo Gulch, Conchas Chinas, the Marina and downtown.
The relatively new Villa Susana is built on a double lot right off the main entrance to the exclusive Las Gaviotas neighborhood. It is perfect for a family, with its three bedrooms and five-and-a-half baths, live-in maid quarters, outdoor barbecue, swimming pool and basketball court. At over 1000 square feet, the lot of the two-level house, represented by Sergio Galván of Prudential Realty, is large enough to consider another construction adjacent, with a vacant lot on the other side as well. The proximity to downtown on Francisco Villa, while offering a retreat from the heavy traffic, is another plus.
The relaxing Villa Seegler enjoys the peace and serenity of its Marina location. Set off in the private enclave of Punta Iguana, not far from the highway in front and the marina waterway in back, it allows a total sense of privacy. The four-bedroom villa was designed with open areas, whether in the large, multi-level living room or the back patio around the pool area. Everything goes with the house, including all furnishings, a great rental property for the right buyer. Check with Mark Venegas Realty for further information.
This past month witnessed the opening of the Realty World offices, previously representing Plaza Caracol in its transition and expansion, but now to include homes, lots and commercial developments. Too late to be included in this issue, Punta Esmeralda invited the public to a cocktail reception in mid-March. Paradise Village proudly introduced the new Sports Club at the El Tigre Golf Course and the Beach Club right next to Playa Royale, both ready any day for inauguration.
March was one of the busiest on record in Vallarta, with many realtors participating in events such as Bike Week, with hundreds of motorcyclists from all around the Americas; fundraisers for R.I.S.E., the Becas Ball, Fiesta Blanca, the cultural center in Yelapa and the Luau at the Navy Base; community theater, primarily provided by Kathleen Hennen's Spotlight Productions in their return to the Santa Barbara; the chamber orchestra; three regattas; and even the unexpected visit of the "hurricane-chaser," a special plane outfitted for that special chore. Not to mention, Puerto Vallarta's chamber orchestra held their first public performance and our first dog show proved that more than the foreign community is interested in the wellbeing of pets.
The first International Tamale Festival in May will include the longest tamal in the world, to be witnessed by a judge from the Guinness Book of Records of London. If you're not planning to be here in May, also the anniversary of Puerto Vallarta, change your plans. There will be more going on than ever, with Restaurant Week the last two weeks of the month, the second Altruism Festival, the annual Sports Classic the last weekend of the month, Copa Vallarta in its third year and, finally, a public concert of the amazing Alejandro Fernández.
But did I skip over the month of April? I won't forget to mention Gala Vallarta the first week of the month and the International Film Festival of UDG April 8 - 14, with Latin American film stars and newly released Spanish-language films.
As part-time residents begin to pack up after the especially early Semana Santa this year, full-timers continue to look forward to a summer that expands cultural options, offers a broader spectrum of activities and continues to encourage further community involvement on myriad levels.
