The Latest in Luxury Resort & Real Estate News

---

San Diego's Residence Club on Mission Beach Debuts this Summer

(SAN DIEGO, CA) -- The private residence club, an innovative vacation home ownership concept highly successful in some of the world's most renowned destinations, makes its Southern California beachfront debut this summer on Mission Beach in San Diego. The Residence Club on Mission Beach offers a prime location and resort-style services at a fraction of the cost of comparable whole ownership properties in the area. The contemporary property maximizes ocean views and features ten fully furnished residences.

Developer Ken Cornell, principal of Ocean Pacific Companies, believes it is important to introduce a new type of ownership to Mission Beach, one that appeals to second homeowners in any economic climate.

""Having conducted extensive research, the shared ownership concept really stood out as something frequent visitors to Mission Beach would be drawn to," he says. "We're offering owners the unique opportunity to own a luxury beach residence at a fractional price without the hassles normally associated with whole ownership properties."


Two residence types are offered - the Beach Tier residences are on the ground floor and upstairs Top Tier residences. Both reveal spectacular water views through floor to ceiling windows. Ownership is available in one-eighth shares - $265,000 for Beach Tier (1,081 square-feet) and $325,000 for Top Tier (1,227 square-feet) units. Similar whole ownership real estate in Mission Beach is priced up to $2 million, even in today's sluggish economic market.

All floor plans feature two bedrooms, three bathrooms, furnished patios, living rooms, and gourmet kitchens. The Club optimizes its location by offering cabanas, lounge chairs, and beach service to owners and their guests. Complimentary underground parking is available on-site. Club staff provides maintenance, concierge service, security, and housekeeping, allowing families to completely enjoy every vacation moment.

A preview stay program has been implemented to allow potential buyers the opportunity to experience the Club for a reduced nightly rate, which will be credited upon closing if they decide to purchase. A maximum of seven nights' lodging will be reimbursed at the rate of $395 per night for Beach Tier residences and $445 per night for Top Tier residences.

Ocean Pacific Companies has engaged DCP International, pioneers of the private residence club (PRC) industry, to consult with them in the creation of The Residence Club on Mission Beach. DCP introduced the world's first private residence club in Deer Valley, Utah, and has since consulted with developers on dozens of PRCs in beach, golf, ski, and urban locations such as New York City, Florida, Colorado, Italy, Bermuda, and Mexico.

"This particular residence club offers exceptional value to Mission Beach enthusiasts," says DCP principal Steve Dering. "If we had introduced this property two years ago, it would have been double the price.

"Residence club ownership is an inherently sensible way to own a vacation home because the price reflects the amount of use people typically get from their second homes."

Owners may vacation at The Residence Club on Mission Beach as often as they wish, subject only to a generous and flexible reservation policy. The Club has also joined The Elite Alliance, a program offering vacation exchange opportunities at a select group of residence clubs in locations such as Deer Valley, La Quinta, Calif., Sedona, Ariz.,  Jackson Hole, Wyo.,  and Bermuda.

Mission Beach is a popular destination for residents of the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and desert states who come for the beach recreation, moderate climate, and proximity to downtown San Diego's dynamic cultural offerings. Local family attractions include SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, Legoland, and Wild Animal Park.

---

Discount Pricing Campaigns Sweep Okanagan Region Luxury Real Estate Market

(VERNON B.C., CANADA) -- Large scale real estate discount sales are spreading across British Columbia as the development industry fights back against the worst recession in recent times. Home buyer opportunities are increasing as The Rise recently announced the details of its "Believe It!" discount pricing campaign for its lake view homes and home sites.

The upscale golf resort community features a newly opened Fred Couples Signature Golf Course, 17 acres of vineyard, and Lake Okanagan beach club. The resort has reduced all inventories in its established neighborhoods by as much as 30 percent.

The Couples/Gene Bates-designed layout is currently a nominee for Score Golf's Best New Golf Course in Canada Award, but buyers will get the chance to review the course on their own as the summer-long sale includes special privileges for new home owners and unlimited golf for one year at the Okanagan's only signature course.

Land Launch Marketing created the discount resort property program for The Rise after witnessing the success of blowout sales in Vancouver. The company has successfully started discount campaigns for two other Okanagan resorts: The Cottages at Secret Point and Okanagan Mountain. Similar campaigns have also been launched in the Shuswap, Vancouver Island and the Kootenays.  

"It's time for home buyers to start believing in the opportunity presented to them since it is the consumer who benefits the most from these campaigns," says Greg Lowe, president of Land Launch Marketing, "Discounts and low construction costs are creating opportunities for home buyers that could only have been dreamed about a few years ago." 

The "Believe It!" sale will run all summer or until the last home site sells in the established neighborhoods. The campaign also includes events like wine tastings and live music at the Golf Club at The Rise.

"Already the discount campaign is picking up momentum and we've sold five home sites in three weeks." says Lowe, "And why not? There are great deals on everything. For example, a 30 percent discount combined with today's construction savings means a difference of $300,000 on the cost of a higher-end home in the Watermark neighborhood at The Rise."

Discounts of 30 percent have been applied to 11 home sites in the exclusive Watermark neighborhood with homes sites reduced from $500,000 to $350,000. 30 homes and homes sites are included in the campaign. Additionally, 14 homes and home sites remaining the Clearview and Sagecroft neighborhoods have been discounted between 10% and 30%.

The Rise is a $105-million master-planned vineyard resort with a $14-million golf course and approvals for 1,200 units comprised of homes, condos, and a hotel. It is perched on a south facing hillside in Vernon offering spectacular views of Okanagan Lake. The resort features vineyards and lakeside beach club.

Launched in 2005, The Rise currently consists of 131 homes and home sites in six established neighborhoods. Approximately 200 home sites have been sold with 90 home sites sold to a separate developer and there are 42 homes built or under construction.

---

Troon Golf Picked to Manage The Bridges Golf & Country Club in Colorado

(SCOTTSDALE, AZ) -- Troon Golf, the world's largest golf management and development company, announced June 24 it was selected to manage The Bridges Golf & Country Club in Montrose, Colo. The semi-private facility is located approximately 65 miles north of Telluride on Colorado's stunning Western Slope.

The Bridges Golf & Country Club includes a Nicklaus Design golf course, which serves as the centerpiece of a 400-acre residential community called The Bridges at Black Canyon. The gently rolling layout of the course takes every advantage of showcasing unprecedented views of the San Juan Mountains and features challenging water hazards on 16 different holes.

The course received immediate acclaim from Golf Magazine when it was named one of the "Top 10 New Courses" in 2005 and has also been recognized by Links magazine as a "Premier Golf Property." 

"We are pleased to be involved with The Bridges Golf & Country Club and are confident our management practices will contribute positively to the club's overall experience," said Troon Golf president/COO Hud Hinton.


Along with a high-caliber golf course, the club features a 29,000 square-foot clubhouse with full amenities, including a casual fine-dining restaurant called Remington's, private men's and women's locker rooms, meeting rooms, golf shop and three overnight suites. While the semi-private facility is open to outside play, preferred access is offered to members of the club. Members also enjoy a full array of social gatherings, tournaments and events planned throughout the year. 

The Bridges Golf & Country Club has also received certification in environmental planning from the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. By joining and participating in the program, The Bridges Golf & Country Club will be involved in projects that enhance wildlife habitats and preserve natural resources for the benefit of the local community.

---