Another luxury condo project to be built on Barbados’ platinum coast
Wednesday April 27 2011 | 04:19 AM

Yet another enclosed luxury community is set to go up in Barbados.

Barbados TODAY understands the site of the former Coach House Restaurant at Payne's Bay, St. James is to be transformed into the $13 million Marine Villas development featuring almost 30 luxury apartments.

News of this come as the Tropical Escape Hotel and Blue Monkey Bar and Restaurant properties located a stone's throw away have been placed on the market for $20 million.

The proposed development is to be located on 60,000 square feet of land at the site of the former restaurant, which closed in 2007, relocated to its current site at Holetown and changed its name to The Beach House. It has planning permission for a residential development of 26 to 28 apartments, enjoying direct access to Payne's Bay Beach.

A "conceptual marketing description" of Marine Villas described it as "an enclosed community", describing it as "exclusive living with an exclusive address".

"Marine Villas is the eagerly awaited development on the famed West Coast of Barbados. This delightful offering features first-class apartment living just a beach ball's throw from the turquoise waters and golden sands of Sandy Lane and Paynes Bay beaches," it stated.

"Ideally positioned at the heart of the island's platinum coast, the prestigious Marine Villas is a premier gated community offering a choice of two or three bedroom apartments and luxury top floor penthouses. All will provide superb views of the Caribbean Sea or nearby Sandy Lane Estate.

"The select homeowner of Marine Villas will benefit from amenities which include a clubhouse, bar, fitness centre, swimming pool and sunbathing terrace. Best of all, the development has hassle free access to the popular Paynes Bay, as well as membership of the fabulous Beach House complex in nearby Holetown," it added.

People interested in purchasing property will be able to invest in several options, the project plan noted, "ranging from 1,500 square feet two-bedroom units to 1,800 square feet apartments with either extensive sun terraces or private plunge pools".

"The larger 2,000 square feet three-bedroom or penthouse suites on the upper levels will offer spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea or Sandy Lane Estate," it stated.

"This attractive development offers owners a peaceful home, set within tropical gardens, with direct access to Payne's Bay Beach, a communal pool and a club house."

But while Marine Villas is looking to start, it is a different story for the once popular Tropical Escape Hotel and its related Blue Monkey Bar & Restaurant beach facility.

The 58 room hotel, also located in Payne's Bay, is seeking a buyer after being closed for many months. As has been the case with a number of such facilities, which have closed their doors in the last decade, Tropical Escape, sources said one option considered for the property was a condominium project.

The property comprises 41,873 square feet of land and 4,471 square feet of "beach frontage" where The Blue Monkey is located.