Properties Jamaica | Jamaica Real Estate Portal

Developer Robert Cartade is reportedly scoping out the market before finalizing plans for what is estimated to be a $3-billion country club estate development in Negril, with homes targeted at hotel executives, professionals and foreign buyers. Cartade and Andrew Girod have reportedly established a subsidiary operation – Selective Homes Negril Limited – to manage the project, and have already acquired 23 acres of lands (called “Ireland Pen”) close to Bloody Bay from Urban Development Corporation (UDC) at an undisclosed price. The property is located in an area where the newest hotels in Negril have sprung up. It is said to have its own secluded prime beach, rich golden sands and stunning views.

The Negril property development will likely have 150 units – in a mix of studios, villas, and two- and three-bedroom town houses. Little Bay Country Club is the name of the planned development. It will include ‘super’ studios, each 600 square feet; townhouses, 1,200 to 1,800 sq ft; and three-bedroom villas at 3,000 sq ft. Prices have not been confirmed as yet, but the studio units are expected to be sold for US$110,000, US$250,000 for the two bedroom units overlooking the sea, and US$340,000 for the three-bedroom.

Cartade has also indicated that he would be lobbying Prime Minister Bruce Golding’s administration to consider offering incentives to foreign real estate buyers, as some other countries currently do, to increase demand for Jamaican property in general, by enticing them to buy a second home away from home.

Construction is expected to commence in February 2010, and be completed approximately 18 months later – August 2011 – however, certain environmental and planning approvals via various government agencies are still to be sought. The developers reportedly plan to adhere to strict environmental procedures, as the development is located in close proximity to a fish sanctuary.

Cartade is probably most known for his involvement in the environmentally-sensitive and controversial 520-townhouse hill top development in Long Mountain, St. Andrew. His most recent project was the 250-unit Mango Walk Country Club in Montego Bay.