May focused on the culture of gourmet dining with the first Restaurant Week featuring special menus of $149 and $249 pesos. Thirty-four restaurants were included this year, while next year the plan is to include hotels in order to create entire dining packages for national and international visitors. Six local restaurants also recently received the coveted Five Star Diamond award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences: Bianco, Café des Artistes, Kaiser Maximilian, La Palapa, Los Xitomates and Trio. In addition, Los Xitomates chef and owner Luis Fitch was presented with a Star Diamond award as one of the outstanding chefs of the country.
Expansion continues to be the word of the day with projects in the works to expand the international airport, the cruise terminal, the Malecón and parking facilities downtown. Committees were formed to guide the port terminal, to forge Agenda 21 with its focus on tourism and sustainable development within the community of Puerto Vallarta, and finally, the committee for downtown development.
Open houses picked up again after the busy season came to its annual turnaround of events. Miguel Fernández of Prudential opened Casa Contenta on the Marina golf course with a contemporary experience right on the edge of the beautiful park-like greens. A four-level four-bedroom house provides additional servants quarters on the roof with laundry facilities. The pool has access from both the first two levels with an airy, central shaft opening onto a Zen-like garden.
Silvia Elías of PV Realty invited the community to visit Casa Consuelo, on the waterfront off Calle Santa Barbara in Conchas Chinas. With four terraced levels, the property forms a natural part of the landscape on the slope towards the water. The very top streetside level houses a tennis court, the level below a complete pool area, with gardens and a pathway leading down to the multi-level house itself. Perfect for entertaining, spacious balconies overlook the marvelous view of not only Banderas Bay but the city of Puerto Vallarta.
Casa El Nido was all lit up and ready for the party in nearby Sierra del Mar, sponsored by Mark Venegas of Venegas Realty and Wayne Franklin of Tropicasa. Surrounded by the huge trees of the hillside, an entrance garden brings the outside right into the home as you come down the low-lit flagstone path. The view is a magnet with the Infinity pool on the wide balcony, overlooking the bay. An open, traditional Mexican kitchen gives onto the courtyard with an outdoor barbecue and umbrella-covered table.
Vevi Guillén of Century 21 proudly opened Casa de las Tres Vistas in Alta Vista, just behind the Medasist hospital. The ultra-modern three-level home faces downtown and the Church of Guadalupe from nearly every vantage point. The arched roof commands attention from all around, the work of developer Martin Good. An office area is currently housed in the first level, still somewhat above the homes below, but can be used as a living area as well. Traditional handmade tile and granite countertops complete the finishings throughout.
Three properties in Paradise Plaza’s Playa Royale were opened by Prudential’s Alex Urrutia and Christine Chin. Each priced well below $400,000 USD, these options offer not only community living but the investment potential of rental income in this fast-growing beach-front property of Nuevo Vallarta. Each ready for occupation, Grand Marina Villas offers two turnkeys while Condo Playa Royale opens the other unfurnished option. The complex offers close proximity to the new sports center, marina, golf course, tennis courts and beach club in addition to having its own fabulous pool area and gardens.
Friends of mine have been looking at properties for several years and were intrigued by the new La Joya project so close to downtown. After spending time with Victoria Pratt, formerly of Mexico Boutique Hotels, they decided to take a look at Punta Esmeralda. They made the decision to buy a place there, where the development continues to offer one of the classiest residential projects in the area. At press time, Real del Mar has a cocktail reception scheduled and reports are that La Joya continues to sell very well. Watch for a new project to be announced soon.
Interesting news on the mortgage front recently with the San Diego Bank entering the market. Offering mortgages based on American collateral, the company is working toward providing the same mortgage based on Mexican collateral as well. For further information and questions, contact President Michael R. Dillon at (858) 452-8000 ext. 210 or colleague Clay McFadden at ext. 137. Let them know you’re interested in the new development and its effect on real estate in Mexico.
The recent accident involving Prudential Realty’s Andres Durán highlights the need for blood donations at San Javier Marina Hospital. No matter your blood type, go and donate. Do not eat for four hours prior to appearing. To give blood you must be healthy, at least 18 years old or not more than 60, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not have donated blood in the last 8 weeks. “Healthy” means that you feel well and can perform normal activities. If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, “healthy” also means that you are being treated and the condition is under control. Other aspects of each potential donor’s health history are discussed as part of the donation process before any blood is collected. Each donor receives a brief examination during which temperature, pulse, blood pressure and blood count (hemoglobin or hematocrit) are measured. Remember the life you save may be your own or that of a loved one.
