$30 Million Oceanfront Resort Debuts in Canada's Comox Bay

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(VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA) -- Howard Land Group recently announced the official launch of its newest resort development, the Comox Bay Marina and Residences. The $30 million resort includes a residential component, a restaurant, lounge and retail space all connected to Comox Bay Marina and located next to Marinaside Park in the heart of Comox.

Howard Land Group are the creators of the award-winning Oswego Hotel, a West Coast inspired boutique hotel in downtown Victoria. For the first time ever full ownership opportunities with boat slips at this Marina are now available.

Comox is located on the east coast of Vancouver Island north of Nanaimo and Victoria. With Westjet offering three flights daily from both Calgary and Edmonton, the resort offers easy access to year round boating, sailing, fishing, golf, and skiing. As well, Comox is a renowned diving and kayaking destination as much of the coast is sheltered with smooth, protected waters.

Comox Bay Marina and Residences offers an oceanfront location with an opportunity for moorage. Next to the popular Marinaside Park, Comox Bay offers something rarely found on the east coast of Vancouver Island: sunny southwest exposure with stunning ocean and mountain views.

Comox Bay Marina and Residences is comprised of 62 fully furnished suites in a three-story resort development featuring sweeping views of Comox Bay through oversized windows. Prices start in the mid $200,000s for one- and two-bedrooms suites. Sizes vary between 608 sq. ft - 625 sq. ft for one-bedrooms and 760 sq. ft - 1105 sq. ft. for the two-bedroom suites.

Buyers at the resort have the option of securing moorage at Comox Bay Marina, which can accommodate vessels up to 50 feet long. The marina is one of the largest and most popular on the east coast of Vancouver Island and has approximately 800 people on a waiting list.

RareEarth Project Marketing is overseeing the sale of the suites for the Residences. RareEarth has sold over $1.65 billion dollars of real estate in Victoria, Ucluelet, Pender Harbour, Kelowna and Osoyoos, among other prime B.C. locations.

In early 2011, rareEarth conducted a market research survey where approximately 1000 respondents in Western Canada identified key areas and amenities that vacation home owners are looking for this year.

"Our research found that 61 per cent of potential vacation home buyers would consider Vancouver Island as a destination, which is higher than both the Okanagan and anywhere in the U.S.," James Askew, president of rareEarth Project Marketing says, "The research also shows the Alberta market is strong and they desire Vancouver Island real estate with full ownership."

The survey revealed that 53 percent of Albertan respondents who own their primary residence are considering purchasing recreational property on Vancouver Island, and  80 percent of Albertans who own recreational property are considering the purchase of additional recreational property. Of that group, 56 percent want full ownership. When asked to evaluate recreational property, 70 percent reported they would consider buying in the Comox Valley.

As a strata-titled property, the suites at Comox Bay Marina & Residences are designed for recreational use, and can be rented out nightly through a professional management company to provide revenue to the owners.

MJM Architect Inc, the resort's architect from Victoria has designed Comox Bay Marina and Residences with a distinctive West Coast style. The interior designer is BBA Design from Vancouver, who has designed numerous luxury resorts on the West Coast, including the Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino and Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet.

The Comox Valley is situated between Vancouver Island's Beaufort Range and Comox Glacier in the West to Strait of Georgia in the East. The Valley enjoys a coastal marine climate with warm, dry summers and short, mild winters. Average July temperatures are 23 degrees celsius with average February temperatures of 7 degrees.

Comox is one of the few places in Canada where you can both golf and ski in the winter. The mild climate makes it an ideal location for hiking, fishing, boating and sailing throughout the year. Comox is a 75-minute flight from Calgary and Edmonton, 45 minute flight harbor to harbor from Vancouver. The Comox Valley is a 2.5 hour drive north from Victoria or a 75-minute drive from Nanaimo's Departure Bay and Duke Point ferries.