The Latest in Luxury Resort & Real Estate News

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WCI Communities Drives Pompano Beach Resurgence with Great Values

(POMPANO BEACH, FL.) -- This lesser-known coastal town between Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale has new luxury real estate life thanks to WCI Communities' newly opened Plaza at Oceanside. 

The 17-story tower features 186 luxury condominiums, each spanning 1,441 square feet to more than 4,500 square of living space, and an outdoor design reflecting a calm ocean wave.

Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Intracoastal Waterway on the other, these WCI residences are priced from $400,000 to $3 million for one- and two-bedroom units, lofts and a choice of eight penthouses. 

Buyers can select from 14 different floor plans offering an ocean or Intracoastal view or both.


Award-winning interior designer Steven G. Inc. designed the contemporary public spaces, giving it a sleek, "beach chic" feel. He says the goal behind this property was to "bring an infusion of freshness to Pompano, an area that hadn't seen much interior design change in 20 years."

Steven G. added, "Residences sport a retro feel and a combination of soft, round edges with lots of wood and natural sunlight."

Among the amenities being offered are more than 40,000 square feet of recreational facilities, including a virtual reality golf simulator, movie theater/private screening room, wine room, cigar humidor room, teen and kid's lounge, fitness center, media center, an infinity pool with lush tropical landscaping, entertainment terrace with two Viking grills and bar area, a "mini-park" event lawn, fireplace court with seating nooks, retail plaza and a covered, two-court tennis pavilion.   

Residents Bob and Darlene Smith, who travel between their Virginia and Florida properties, are thoroughly enjoying their new Florida vacation home and believe WCI's prices couldn't be any more attractive right now. For example, WCI, one of Florida's leading builders of golf and resort-style developments, is selling luxury condos at Pompano Beach for about 40 percent less than what the pre-construction prices were in 2007.

"The building is so conveniently located right on the beach, and you can walk within a block to your local dry cleaner, grocery store, movie theater and a number of great restaurants," explains Darlene Smith, who purchased a sixth-floor unit in the Plaza with an outdoor terrace that affords pool and intracoastal views. "Pompano Beach is also a lot calmer and more laid back than Miami's bustling South Beach and Fort Lauderdale."

Her husband, Bob Smith, says, "with all the marble, granite, high-end materials and craftsmanship at Oceanside, you just won't find better quality out there."

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Jumeirah Golf Estates completes construction of Greg Norman's Fire Course

(DUBAI, U.A.E.) -- Jumeirah Golf Estates announced April 21 construction of its second golf course, the Greg Norman-designed Fire, is now complete and ready to open later this year. The Fire course joins sister layout, Earth, also designed by Norman, in being fully constructed ready for tournament action this November when the Leisurecorp golf course development plays host to the inaugural Dubai World Championship.

With the grassing of Fire finished and more than 98 acres of hydro-seeding completed through the months of January and February, all that remains are the final landscaping touches. This will include the planting of more mature trees to add to the 3,000 already planted over both courses. A full summer growing season will be allowed before the two courses are considered ready for play.

Progress on the residential communities at Jumeirah Golf Estates continues on pace as well, and the development recently received recognition when the Whispering Pines district was named "Best Residential Development (built)"  at the Middle East Cityscape 2009 Awards.

The first of the Tuscan-style villas running through this district, which feature views of both courses, have been completed, with many others due to be completed soon.

Of the 160 villas put on the market in March 2007, all have been sold with prices starting at $952,889. In all, more than 1,000 residential units are planned in phase one of the Earth and Fire golf course communities, and Leisurecorp has sold 90 percent of its developer inventory, according to Leisurecorp.

Leisurecorp unveiled the final four holes of Norman's Earth course in January with golf stars Sergio Garcia, Darren Clarke, Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Robert Karlsson and young Emirati Khalid Yousef joining the Great White Shark for a sneak peak. The group previewed 'the most challenging mile in golf,'  which is set to host the inaugural Dubai World Championship and culmination to the season-long Race to Dubai, November 19-22.

Norman's West Palm Beach, Fla.-based Greg Norman Golf Course Design company is currently in Dubai and closely monitoring the progress of both courses.

"Fire will offer a completely different golf experience to its close neighbor Earth," Norman said. "While the Earth course resembles playing conditions often found in North America and Europe, with broad fairways, lush vegetation and fast flowing water, Fire will be a stark contrast and is designed to reflect the local surroundings.

"Features include vast areas of informal bunkering, narrow fairways, and wall-to-wall varieties of grass. I believe these elements will combine to create an equally stunning golf course, but also an equally challenging course from a player's perspective."

Leisurecorp chief executive officer David Spencer is thrilled by the latest Jumeirah Golf Estates milestone.  "Both courses are testament to Greg Norman's legendary talents and incredible eye for detail and both offer completely different looks and challenges," Spencer said. "Jumeirah Golf Estates is arguably the world's most anticipated golf course development and while Earth will host the first Dubai World Championship, Fire will also provide a fitting test for the world's finest golfers. It's quite possible that we could consider it for future stagings of the season-ending spectacular."

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Residences at Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain Introduce New 'Affordable' Villa Product

(MARANA, AZ) -- In an effort to address the sluggish economy, the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain  resort-style golf course community is introducing a relatively affordable villa option called the Villas at Seven Saguaros.

The highly customized attached residences are the most affordable residences available in The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain community with prices starting at $1.26 million.  With fixed interest rates at historic lows, Ritz-Carlton executives say it is perfect timing to become a part of the "extraordinary and unique lifestyle offered at The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain."

Part of the largest and most comprehensive branded project in the continental U.S. by The Ritz-Carlton to-date, the community also includes the recently opened Ritz-Carlton Golf Club featuring Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf, and The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, a 250-room resort and spa, scheduled to open this fall.

The ultimate "lock & leave" homes within the gates of The Ritz-Carlton community, the Villas are offered in three sizes, 1,950, 2,300 and 2,700 square feet, and feature views of the Catalina and Tortolita Mountains.

These floor plans are offered with all the finishes of the single-family residences, and are available from $1.26 to $1.67 million.

Attractive purchasing incentives, including an $87,500 Villa discount, golf membership at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club and $75,000 in Dove Mountain dollars are also currently offered to buyers. Dove Mountain dollars can be used for options and upgrades on a new pre-designed custom home, purchase of a neighborhood electric vehicle or club credits toward hotel and spa charges.

Residents of The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain enjoy all of the amenities and services for which Ritz-Carlton is known, including concierge service, personalized home management, landscaping, housekeeping, valet, catering and room service from the resort, and access to golf, tennis, and dining specifically for members. Resident coordinators will be available at all times to handle any need that arises, from checking on homes when owners are out of town to arranging for maintenance services.

"We recognize that our buyers want The Ritz-Carlton lifestyle and the high service level that goes with it, yet are looking at spending less in today's market," said Robert W. Shiels, director of sales and marketing, The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain. "In light of that, we are introducing The Villas to help buyers make a solid purchase decision during these times, allowing them to be a part of The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain community at a most attractive price point."

Approximately 400 highly personalized homes and 50 custom estate home sites compose The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain. The $220 million first phase of the development includes 57 single-family homes, 38 villas, 15 golf-frontage home sites ranging from just under one-half acre to almost one acre, and 16 custom estate home sites ranging from 1.3 acres to seven acres.

Pricing for single-family residences ranges from $1.5 to $3 million, while golf-frontage home sites are priced from $775,000 to $975,000, and custom estate home sites are available from $700,000 to $1.8 million.

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