The Latest in Luxury Resort & Real Estate News

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Miraval Spa Introduces New Residential Offerings

(TUSCON, AZ) -- A second - or even third - home purchase in today's real estate climate may be driven as much by lifestyle considerations as by aesthetic and investment value.  Such buyers have the means but also the determination to invest in something beyond conventional real estate:  health, wellness and the principles of longevity in a community of like-minded neighbors who share a passion for holistic living in a place designed to satisfy their aspirations.

Central to this appeal are the Villas at Miraval - a unique convergence of distinctive, sustainable design, desert landscapes with dramatic views that happen to be surrounded by the world-renowned Miraval Spa.

Thoughtfully integrated into the award-winning Miraval Arizona destination spa resort, 30 minutes north of Tucson, only four villas remained as of Jan. 21. The first 12 were sold the first year, proving affluent buyers in challenging times continue to invest in high-end real estate that supports their long-term lifestyle choices.  The elegant, freestanding residences give Villas at Miraval owners complete privileges, including full access to the Miraval program experiences they can opt into throughout the resort.

"The Miraval villas offer singular home ownership found nowhere else, said Tom Dunlap, vice president of development for Miraval Holdings. "It gives discerning individuals the opportunity to invest in themselves and a beautifully designed villa - plus the freedom to take advantage of the one-of-a-kind Miraval community and resort experience.

"We have built remarkable villas in a spectacular setting with all the amenities and program options of Miraval living, enabling homeowners to enjoy their privacy and, if they wish, pursue their special interests and benefit from tailored Miraval programs aimed at nurturing their and their families' well-being."

Currently for sale is a pair of 2-bedroom villas encompassing 2,729 square feet of interior and 2,281 square feet of outdoor living space and two, 3-bedroom villas, spanning 3,095 square feet of interior living and 3,187 square feet of outdoor living space.  Prices range from $2.25 million to $3.4 million.

"Potential buyers who already own ski villas or beach homes might well consider owning a Miraval Villa desert home with access to Miraval Resort's signature mix of spa, nutrition, wellness and challenge programs," said Janell Jellison, luxury residential specialist for Tucson-based Long Realty.  "The desert has traditionally been prized for its mystic qualities as a haven of solitude where people can unplug from mundane routines - and Miraval has approached this desert mystique in a fresh, contemporary way."

 With Seattle-based Mithun Architects, a national leader in sustainable design and urbanism, masterminding the construction and architecture, the Miraval villas provide a lively, exciting, sustainable interpretation of desert living - and each villa is LEED Silver-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.  

 Reflecting the region's earth-friendly architecture, the villas use raw materials like natural stone, cedar and hickory wood and natural materials blending with the surrounding desert.  Exterior villa amenities include a water-featured private courtyard, fireplace, hot tub, Viking 41 grill, single-family-sized spa pool and steam shower.  Interiors boast floor-to-ceiling windows to capture panoramic mountain views, light or dark oak flooring, light gray-slated bathroom, light or dark cedar cabinetry, Spanish cedar ceilings and, in the three-bedroom villas, rammed earth walls.  Meanwhile, the gourmet kitchens and bedrooms are equipped with the finest in appliances.

 Furnished villas remove the hassles of setting up one's home and include local artwork, special window treatments, facades, appliances and fixtures selected by New York-based award-winning spa designer Clodagh Design.

 "We worked closely with Mithun Architects to bring the beauty and expansiveness of the desert into the villas, using sustainable materials such as local native plants, reclaimed wood, outdoor stone and other desert materials," explains Rachel Massey, brand director and senior designer at Clodagh Design. "As a result, the interiors are inspired by the surroundings, imparting a seamless feel for the colors, ambience and look of the desert."

Each villa owner pays an annual fee for unlimited access to all resort programs and amenities, common area maintenance and property management, housekeeping service, roundtrip transportation to and from Tucson International Airport and a 20 percent discount on spa services, meals and retail purchases.  A dedicated villas manager and concierge staff are available to assist homeowners with all their needs and requests.

Miraval is the innovator of living and feeling better. Created in 1996, Miraval's flagship resort in Tucson, Arizona has been consistently rated No. 1 by Travel + Leisure, Zagat Survey and Condè Nast Traveler.

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Billy Casper Golf, Del Webb Debuts New Desert Golf Course Development

(INDIO, CA) -- The Palm Springs area added another golf course real estate development to its massive golf market with the newly opened North Course at Shadow Hills Golf Club. The par-three property is part of Del Webb's active-adult Sun City Shadow Hills community.

Billy Casper Golf, one of the largest golf course owner/operators with more than 110 courses in 26 states, is managing the new North Course. It opened for public play on Feb. 1.

Designed by the noted Schmidt-Curley golf-course architecture firm, the North Course - located in the third phase of the Sun City Shadow Hills community built by Del Webb - is constructed to take advantage of more natural plant materials which consume less water and promote ecologically-friendly agronomic practices. Turfed with Bermudagrass and dotted with flowering shrubs, the short course is perfect for golfers looking to improve their iron games. With holes ranging from 135 to 210 yards, precision is paramount as either a large waste bunker or lake protects every hole. Approximately 40 percent of the course is turf and showcases multiple water features, fairway undulations and several tee boxes to challenge new golfers and seasoned players.

 "The North Course is a departure from the typical California-desert layout," says Brian Curley, principal of Schmidt-Curley Design.  "Rather than featuring wall-to-wall manicured turf, it's punctuated by natural waste areas evoking a feel more typically associated with Sonoran Desert 'target golf' courses.

 Like it does for the 18-hole, championship South Course at Shadow Hills, BCG will manage all aspects of the North Course's operation.  This includes golf-course and property maintenance, staffing and training, clubhouse operations, food and beverage, merchandising, golf instruction, marketing and public relations, special events and financial management.

"We're thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive response by people who have sneak-previewed the course," said Bob Paradise, director of land development for Sun City Shadow Hills.  "The perfect mix of water-efficiency, diverse play and stunning natural beauty makes this course special."

With a vibrant resort-style feel to the community and unparalleled amenities, Sun City Shadow Hills is bustling with activity since its opening in early 2004. One of the more popular amenities is the 35,000-square-foot Montecito Clubhouse.  

Pulte Homes, Inc., based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is one of America's largest home-building companies with operations in 69 markets, 29 states and the District of Columbia. The golf course architectural firm of Schmidt-Curley, founded by partners Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley, has offices in Scottsdale, Ariz., Haikou, Hainan Island, China and Kunming, China. The partners have designed and master-planned 100 courses in 24 countries, including 10 of the 12 golf courses at storied Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China - the largest golf complex in the world.

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