Posts Tagged ‘Barbados’

Construction at Merricks, Barbados

October 15th, 2011 Posted by admin | Posted in News | Tags: , , , ,

Harlequin Developments has set up offices in Barbados to oversee the projects at The Merricks Resort and the H Barbados hotel.

The team is led by David Campion, who, along with in-house architects, engineers and designers, undertakes all the work necessary to build our projects. This gives us more control in ensuring the smooth process from conception through to completion.

Work on The Merricks Resort Show Village has begun under the watchful eye of Kraus-Manning Inc., who have been assigned to project manage the construction, with Adams Consulting International (ACI) providing the civil engineers. Both companies bring a team of highly qualified professionals with vast experience of working in Barbados and the Caribbean in general.

The Show Village, which will form part of the final resort, already has a number of its components and features completed. These include:

Access road from Peat Bay Road
Car park
Office
Maintenance buildings
A fence surrounding the site
Foundations for show villas

With the foundations in place, the villa walls are currently being constructed using a quad lock ICF (insulated concrete formwork).

Once that is finished, interior fittings and landscaping will commence, with completion of the show village scheduled for early 2012. Also, work is currently being finalised on a number of criteria that form our planning permission for the first phase of the main project.

In their continuing endeavour to be environmentally and financially responsible, the Harlequin Developments team, along with its many consultants and procurement specialists, is sourcing green products and technologies from around the world so they can be assessed for their potential use on current and future projects. For example, a special roof tile being used for the villas at The Merricks Resort is made from recycled material and insulates 20% better than a standard shingle tile, so as well as being green, the tile will also reduce energy consumption from air conditioning and, consequently, operating costs.

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Harlequin Hotels & Resorts announce purchase of Allamanda, Barbados

August 29th, 2011 Posted by admin | Posted in News | Tags: , , ,

Harlequin Hotels & Resorts have purchased the Allamanda Beach Hotel on Hastings Beach, Christ Church in Barbados. Harlequin has commenced an exciting $11m BBD renovation to transform this beachfront property into a luxury boutique hotel. The new hotel will be called H and be part of Harlequin’s newly created luxury brand, Harlequin Boutique Hotels, opening in July 2012.

The renovation, remodelling and interior redesign will be overseen by Harlequin Developments’ Development Director David Campion who is based in Barbados. Harlequin will use several local Barbados-based companies and sub-contractors to carry out the works. The project will bring a much needed boost to the local construction business.

The transformation of the Allamanda will bring the hotel upto luxury 5 star standards of the Harlequin brand. Harlequin Hotels & Resorts successfully opened its first ever luxury Caribbean resort at Buccament Bay, St Vincent & The Grenadines in August 2010. The resort is being marketed in the UK and US and is already featured with all leading UK tour operators including Virgin, Kuoni and Hayes & Jarvis. Despite the difficult world economic situation which has led to lower numbers of visitors travelling to the Caribbean over the last 12 months, Buccament Bay Resort has attracted many UK holidaymakers who haven’t visited the Caribbean before and is currently running at 85% occupancy in the low season.

Buccament Bay Resort offers a unique range of activities to cater for all interests; the Harlequin Sports Academy includes a Liverpool Football Club Soccer School and Pat Cash Tennis Academy which offers world class coaching for all abilities and ages, a Harlequin Performing Arts Academy, The Spa with treatments by ESPA, Diving & Watersports and Little Harlequins Kids Club. Pat Cash, former Wimbledon Tennis Champion, is currently at Buccament Bay Resort coaching guests and local children. Andy Townsend and several former Liverpool players have held coaching sessions for guests and local schools during July and August. In May 2011 Liverpool FC Under 19’s Team stayed at Buccament Bay Resort whilst on their end of season tour and played an exhibition match against the St Vincent Under-20’s National Team.

Speaking on his visit this week to Barbados, Mr. Dave Ames, Chairman of Harlequin Hotels & Resorts, said “I am delighted to announce this exciting new Hotel Brand for Harlequin and Barbados. This first Harlequin Boutique Hotel will bring further investment to Barbados and provide more employment opportunities as well as bringing many new holidaymakers to this Caribbean Jewel.”

The essence of the Harlequin brand is that its resorts will “Redefine Luxury in the Caribbean”. This innovative approach has already proved to be popular within the travel industry and has created a positively memorable experience for guests at Buccament Bay Resort. The success of this has led the company to create two new brands within its portfolio, the first of which will be Harlequin Boutique Hotels in Barbados.

Harlequin also hopes to announce later this week the commencement of works in September on the first stage of its development, The Merricks Resort, situated on the east coast of Barbados. It is working with the Barbados Government to gain all the necessary support so that the project can move forward quickly.

Speaking from their offices at Hythe House in Maxwell, Barbados, Garrett Ronan, Vice President of Hotel and Resort Development for Harlequin, said “The launch of the Harlequin Boutique Hotels brand in Barbados with the renovation of the Allamanda will bring a new ultra-chic ‘South Beach’ style hotel to the market. When completed it will offer sophisticated and luxurious accommodation with approximately 47 studio suites, Jack’s steak & seafood restaurant which will serve delicious local seafood and the finest cuts of prime, succulent steaks, an HQ coffee bar, a swimming pool with an outdoor cocktail lounge, spa veranda and a fitness centre. The hotel will offer a new level of attentive yet discreet service infused with Barbadian hospitality.” The new H Hotel has been designed to attract guests who appreciate chic, boutique hotel accommodation either for a week’s vacation or for a short stay as part of a multi-destination trip.

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QUIN Hotels launched in the Caribbean

June 5th, 2011 Posted by admin | Posted in News | Tags: , , ,
QUIN Hotels is a new hotel concept created by Harlequin Hotels & Resorts, and will comprise a range of five star chic boutique hotels in fantastic locations. These hotels will not be new build; Harlequin will purchase distressed hotels which have become run down due to a lack of investment and completely renovate them to our
five star standard with new plumbing, electricity, air conditioning, furniture and decoration. They will be managed by Harlequin Hotels & Resorts hotel management team to ensure the same excellent service levels that are delivered at Buccament Bay Resort. Within nine months of buying a hotel the renovation will be complete, delivering purchasers a rental income far earlier which is a quicker return on investment, although the capital appreciation will be less than on the off plan properties within the larger resorts. The first two QUIN Hotels will be located in the southwest of Barbados, both occupying beautiful seafront locations, and will each have a swimming pool and restaurant. Barbados has been chosen as the first location because it is the busiest hub in the southern Caribbean. The Hotels will provide guests who are booking to stay at Buccament Bay Resort with the opportunity to stopover in Barbados for one or more nights. QUIN Hotels will also showcase the quality of Harlequin Hotels & Resorts on Barbados prior to The Merricks Resort being completed. This will not delay the opening of The Merricks Resort.
 
QUIN I is a 35 room hotel, QUIN II is a 55 room hotel. All the rooms at QUIN I have already been sold.
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Is now the time to buy in Barbados?

January 19th, 2010 Posted by admin | Posted in News | Tags: ,

Barbados Property For Sale ROC InvestmentsThe buzz is returning to Barbados and activity is picking up.  Cluttons Barbados is optimistic about 2010 with figures over the last quarter showing significant signs of improvement in property sales enquiries and actual transactions. The number of serious enquiries are up by 80% this December and January compared with the same period last year…

Home buyers are attracted by the potential to negotiate a discounted price with high expectations of rental and capital growth. This is based on the stability of the economy, currency exchange rates, location and the quality of properties that Barbados has to offer.

The worldwide economic downturn has created some “never seen before” opportunities in the Barbados property market as some vendors and developers are forced to reduce prices to increase enquiries and reduce transaction times. This phenomenon is extremely rare in Barbados and Cluttons does not expect this situation to last for too much longer. 

The first six months of 2009 were fairly quiet except for buyers with US$4m or more to spend.  However, Barbados has an extremely strong property market and the level of offers and sales increased after July 2009.  

Kieran Kelly from Cluttons Barbados says: “Now is the time to buy. The Barbados property market, like everywhere else in the world, saw the number of transactions reduce in 2009, and the number of buyers looking for discounts increase.  The economic downturn created a buyers market and it took a little while for owners and developers to accept it, with an initial stalemate between the buyers and vendors expectations.  We are now seeing more flexibility in vendor’s willingness to negotiate and as a result, more sales, most due to price reductions. During an economic downturn, it is always the exclusive locations that win through first. Places such as Central London and Barbados will be fine.  For buyers and for good reason, there is a certain comfort level attached to securing a good deal or discount on a property in Central London or Barbados!”

There are very clear signs that the Barbados property market is extremely resilient and very capable of bouncing back quickly. Kelly feels sales within the next six months will increase considerably as buyers can achieve a discount on the purchase price and then look forward to capital appreciation as the market strengthens further.  Those buying now will do well, as Barbados has an exciting future ahead. 

Kelly continued: “Barbados is an extremely strong brand and clients want a safer market that can offer good potential on the upturn.  If anything, this financial crisis has placed Barbados in a better position as competing and alternative destinations have faltered quite dramatically.  Our homes are stunning; the people are lovely; the economy is stable; there are top end restaurants and beach bars everywhere; the pure white sandy beaches are heaven; and, the clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea provide many with the opportunity to truly relax and escape the world’s woes.”

It is widely believed that property in Barbados is owned by only the rich and famous. Although there are many wealthy owners, over the years the market has spread and diversified with prices ranging from US$145,000 to US$40m.

The west coast has some of the highest property prices in the world and now the south coast is seeing extreme expansion, development and growth due to fantastic beaches, amenities and lower prices.

Source: The Move Channel

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